5 Key Times You Absolutely Need a Boundary Survey

December 20, 2024

Around 20% of property disputes in the U.S. are caused by unclear property lines. That’s one in five! Imagine thinking your yard is bigger than it really is or putting up a fence that crosses into your neighbor’s land. Sounds stressful, right?

Boundary surveys are your ticket to avoiding these headaches. Whether you’re buying a house, planning an addition, or just trying to keep the peace with neighbors, knowing where your property starts and ends is more important than you might think. Let’s jump into five situations where a boundary survey is a must-have.

1. Buying or Selling Property

You’ve found the perfect house or land, and you’re ready to seal the deal. But before you get too excited, do you know exactly where your property lines are?

Why It’s a Game-Changer

  • No More Guessing: You might think that big tree or fence marks the edge of your property, but is it really? A survey clears up any confusion by showing you exactly where your land begins and ends.
  • Avoid Hidden Issues: Maybe there’s a shared driveway or easement that wasn’t part of the deal. A survey helps you avoid these surprises before you buy or sell.
  • Protect Your Investment: A property dispute can cost a lot of time and money. A survey helps protect you from future headaches, saving you from a legal mess down the line.

A boundary survey is like a safety net when buying or selling property. It lets you know exactly what you’re working with, so you can avoid future surprises.

Boundary Survey: Buying a land

2. Planning a Home Addition or Renovation

Thinking about adding a deck, expanding the kitchen, or building a new garage? Before you break out the tools, make sure your plans won’t cross over into your neighbor’s yard.

Why It’s Important

  • Stay on Your Land: There are laws that limit how close you can build to your property line. A survey ensures that your new deck or patio stays within your boundaries.
  • Save Time and Money: If you build something in the wrong place, you’ll have to tear it down and start over. A survey helps avoid that costly mistake.
  • No Future Problems: A survey shows where your land starts, so you’re not left in the awkward position of having to move something later because you went over the line.

Whether you’re adding on or just making a few changes, a survey makes sure everything’s in the right spot. This way, you won’t be left cleaning up a mess later.

3. Building a Fence

You’d think a fence would be straightforward, right? But building one too close to your property line can cause problems down the road.

Why It’s Worth the Effort

  • Avoid Neighbor Disputes: Fence wars are a classic neighbor issue. A survey makes sure you’re building on your land, not someone else’s.
  • Save Time: Building a fence in the wrong spot means taking it down and starting again. A boundary survey helps you avoid wasting time and money.
  • Clear Boundaries: Fences aren’t just for privacy—they’re a physical marker of where your property ends. A survey ensures your fence is doing its job properly.

A fence should be a peaceful addition to your yard, not the start of an argument. A boundary survey makes sure you’re marking your territory correctly, and keeps things friendly with your neighbors.

Building a fence

4. Handling Neighbor Disputes

Neighbor disputes can get messy, especially when it comes to property lines. Maybe they’re building something too close to the edge of your land, or maybe they’re using part of your yard without asking. A boundary survey can help sort things out quickly.

Why It’s a Lifesaver

  • Legal Proof: If there’s a disagreement, having a boundary survey gives you solid evidence of where your property starts and ends.
  • Solve Small Problems Fast: If your neighbor is unknowingly building on your land, a survey helps clear up the issue before it becomes a bigger problem.
  • Avoid Future Drama: Sometimes neighbors don’t even realize they’re in the wrong. A survey gives everyone a clear picture of where the boundaries are, so there’s no confusion.

Disputes with neighbors can be uncomfortable, but with a boundary survey, you’ve got the facts on your side. It can keep things calm and civil—saving you a lot of stress in the process.

5. Buying Land for Development or Investment

Looking at a piece of land for a new project or investment? Whether you’re thinking of building a house or developing a business, knowing exactly where your property line is makes a huge difference.

Why It’s Key

  • Get the Full Picture: A boundary survey shows you exactly what you’re working with. Without it, you might miss key details, like easements or shared spaces, that could affect your plans.
  • Avoid Nasty Surprises: Some land may have hidden issues that only a survey can uncover—things like drainage rights, access roads, or utility lines that could mess with your plans.
  • Smooth the Permit Process: If you’re building or developing, you’ll likely need permits. A boundary survey helps make the process smoother by giving you clear documentation of your property.

Whether you’re developing land for a new home or just holding onto it as an investment, a boundary survey ensures you’re working with the right information. It helps avoid mistakes and ensures you’re using your land the way you intended.

Land for sale

Conclusion

Boundary surveys may not seem like a big deal at first, but they can make all the difference. From buying a home to adding a fence, these surveys protect your property and save you from disputes, delays, and headaches. Whether you’re planning a home addition, dealing with a neighbor dispute, or buying land for development, knowing exactly where your property ends is key.

If you’re in need of a boundary survey, Highland Surveying is here to help. With years of experience and a reputation for accurate, reliable surveys, they make sure you know exactly where your property begins and ends. So, whether you’re buying, building, or just getting things in order, you can count on Highland Surveying to help you get it right the first time.