Benefits of a Survey in Retracing Easements, Points of Access, and Descriptive Rights

Expert Surveys to Define Easement Access, Resolve Prescriptive Rights, and Protect Property Interests
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When property access isn’t clearly defined, even small boundary questions can lead to major legal and financial complications. At Highland Surveying, we specialize in retracing easements, identifying points of access, and defining potential unwritten or prescriptive rights. It’s a legally recognized document relied upon by attorneys, title companies, courts, and real estate professionals. It helps determine legal rights of access, resolve disputes, and support land entitlements.

Our surveys bring clarity to questions such as:

  1. Is there a documented easement on record?
  2. Where is access currently occurring, and over which parcels?
  3. Is this an easement by necessity? If so, which parcel bears servitude, and which holds dominant access rights?
  4. What legal documentation supports or challenges existing claims?

We understand that every parcel must have legal access. It’s not a question of if access exists, but where and how that access is defined. Using detailed records, high-precision instruments, and deep knowledge of land use law, we retrace both recorded and implied easements with full legal clarity.

What Is an Easement and Access Survey?

An Easement and Access Survey is a specialized record of survey that includes detailed data about:

  • Existing recorded easements (e.g., utility corridors, driveways)
  • Prescriptive or implied access points
  • Potential areas of legal contention or servitude

These rights may be invisible on the ground, but they significantly affect how a property can be used, developed, or sold. For example, a buried utility line may grant the city access for maintenance, or a driveway might cross a neighbor’s land under an unrecorded prescriptive right.

Why You Need One

Easement surveys are relied on by:

  • Attorneys and legal teams
  • Title companies and underwriters
  • Courts of law (litigation, defense, or prosecution)
  • Buyers, sellers, and investors

These surveys are essential for:

  • Property entitlements and permits
  • Ensuring continual and legal access
  • Increasing clarity and property value

Without one, you risk unknowingly violating property rights, facing legal action, or stalling real estate transactions. With one, you protect your interests, gain leverage in disputes, and ensure future development or sale can proceed smoothly.

Legal Questions Our Surveys Help Answer

  • Is an easement officially recorded?
    We uncover all documented easements through title research and public records.

  • Is there access via unwritten or prescriptive rights?
    Our field observations help flag potential long-standing use that may carry legal weight.

  • Is there an easement by necessity?
    If a parcel appears landlocked, we help identify the servient estate and confirm legal access points because every property has a right to access, even if it’s not yet defined.

  • What legal documentation supports the access?
    We consolidate deeds, surveys, and title references to create a complete access picture.

What’s Included in the Survey Process

When you hire us, you're getting a streamlined, professional process designed to deliver clarity and peace of mind. Here's how we conduct each Easement and Access Survey:
1

Initial Consultation

We begin by gathering information about your property, its legal description, and your specific access concerns or goals. Whether you're preparing for development or resolving a dispute, we tailor our approach accordingly.
2

Research and Record Review

Our team examines county plats, deeds, title reports, and prior surveys to uncover any recorded easements, access rights, or restrictions affecting your property.
3

Field Survey and Data Collection

Using state-of-the-art GPS and total station equipment, we physically survey the property to verify boundaries and locate visible or underground easement features, such as utility markers, fences, or driveways.
4

Analysis and Mapping

We analyze all collected data and overlay it with recorded documentation to produce a precise, legally sound survey map. This map clearly outlines easement locations, dimensions, and any access rights associated with your land.
5

Deliverables and Support

You’ll receive a sealed, legally defensible survey document. It can be submitted to attorneys, title companies, planning departments, or even used in court as evidence to support or dispute claims of access, prescriptive rights, or easement by necessity. Our team is also available to explain the findings and provide expert guidance for the next steps.

Common Issues That Require an Easement and Access Survey

  • Blocked or Uncertain Access to Property

Some properties, especially in rural or developing areas, may not have direct access to a public road. Without a legally defined access easement, you could find yourself landlocked or dependent on a neighbor’s goodwill.

  • Undisclosed Utility Easements

Underground or overhead utilities often run across private property. If you’re unaware of a utility easement, you might unknowingly build a structure that violates its restrictions, leading to fines, forced removal, or future service disruptions.

  • Property Line Disputes

Disagreements between neighbors often arise when shared driveways, fences, or access roads cross property lines. An easement survey provides legal clarity and can prevent or resolve conflicts before they escalate.

  • Development or Construction Delays

Before building or subdividing, local authorities often require clear documentation of all existing easements. Without it, your permit could be denied or delayed, costing you time and money.

Title and Real Estate Complications
 Unresolved easement issues can derail real estate transactions, leading to failed closings or legal liabilities down the road.

How We Solve Them

We eliminate the guesswork. Our Easement and Access Surveys identify exactly where easements exist and, just as importantly, where they don’t. With clear, precise mapping and expert documentation, we help you:

Avoid Costly Legal Disputes

Our surveys provide legally defensible documentation that protects you in court or during negotiations.

Secure Property Access with Confidence

Whether you’re building a home or accessing farmland, we help you confirm your legal right to enter and use your property.

Protect Future Development Plans

Know in advance where you can and cannot build, saving time, money, and regulatory headaches.

Streamline Real Estate Transactions

With a sealed, professional survey in hand, you’ll reassure buyers, title companies, and lenders that the property is free of access issues.

Gain Peace of Mind

Perhaps most importantly, you’ll gain confidence in knowing that your property boundaries, rights, and limitations are fully understood and documented.

Why Choose Us

When it comes to something as critical as legal property access, you need more than just a survey, you need a partner you can trust. We’ve built our reputation on precision, professionalism, and putting our clients first. Here’s why homeowners, developers, and landowners across Utah continue to choose us for Easement and Access Surveys:

Local Expertise That Matters

With years of extensive regional experience, we understand the unique challenges of the local terrain, municipal codes, and property histories. Our deep regional knowledge means faster turnarounds, fewer surprises, and surveys that hold up under scrutiny.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

We stand by our work. Every survey we deliver is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not confident in the clarity or completeness of your report, we’ll make it right—no questions asked.

Fast, Reliable Scheduling

We know that time is money, especially when you're in the middle of a real estate deal or development plan. Our responsive team ensures quick scheduling, timely site visits, and prompt delivery of your survey documents.

Certified and Fully Licensed

Our team is composed of state-licensed professional land surveyors with industry certifications and ongoing training. You’ll receive documents that meet all legal and municipal standards, ready for submission to title companies, engineers, and local governments.

Advanced Technology, Trusted Results

We use high-precision GPS and robotic total station equipment to ensure every measurement is accurate and legally defensible. Combined with thorough research and quality control, this gives you unmatched peace of mind.

Transparent Pricing and Clear Communication

No hidden fees. No jargon. Just straightforward service from a team that values your trust. We walk you through every step of the process, so you’re never left guessing.

What Our Customers Say

We’re proud to be the trusted choice for Easement and Access Surveys across Utah. Here’s what some of our satisfied clients have to say:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I had an excellent experience with Highland Surveying. They were quick, professional, and offered a fair price for their top-notch service. The quality of their work was outstanding, and they maintained clear and consistent communication throughout the entire process. Their team was friendly and approachable, making the whole experience smooth and stress-free. If you’re looking for high-quality service paired with professionalism and fairness, Highland Surveying is the way to go!”

— Michael Dan P.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“What an outstanding performance by Highland Surveying. There were some issues, and once I discussed them with Tyler, he resolved them within minutes. I would recommend this surveying company any day without any hesitation. Tyler is very fair and understands and quickly resolves, responds, and is helpful with a fair and thorough cost. He pays great attention to his surveys. Thanks Tyler. You’re very honorable and true to your clients. Loved working with you!”

— Craig Webster

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“We highly recommend Tyler Harper with Highland Surveying! He was professional, arriving promptly at the scheduled time. Tyler was easy to talk to and was able to answer all my questions. He was knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and efficient. I would definitely use his services again.”

— Jessica Forsyth

Easement and Access Survey FAQs

Here are answers to some of the most common questions we hear about Easement and Access Surveys:

Ready to Get Started? Let’s Talk.

We understand that property access and easement issues can be confusing, but with us, they don’t have to be. Whether you’re preparing for a project, resolving a boundary concern, or want peace of mind and legally-defensible documentation to protect your property rights and investment, our expert team is here to help. We’re always happy to answer your questions, explain the process, and guide you toward the right solution for your property.

Give us a call at (385) 381-6582 or book your Easement and Access Survey today.

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