While average land surveys meet the minimum requirements assigned by a state, the ALTA land survey is top-of-the-line. They follow federal standards to ensure that there are no questions about hidden property features within the survey. ALTA/ACSM surveys also provide a uniform standard, which consist of accepted land surveying principles and expectations, for all parties in the transaction to follow.

These surveys involve a great amount of in-depth research. By recording data from previous property records, as well as through physical surveying, the clients’ needs are met. Such information collected includes:

• Property boundaries
• Evidence of property use by others
• Names of neighboring property owners
• Roads and property features
• Land improvements
• Access and legal routes to the property
• Zoning/Flood Zone Classification
• Water boundaries
• Legal property description

Construction layout surveys are what determine whether or not a project meets its deadline, as well as its budget. These surveys are made prior to construction to ensure that the project is built according to plan.

Construction layout surveys mark out items that include:

• Building corners
• Edges of pavement
• Drainage structures
• Sewers/wells/septic systems
• Sidewalks/driveways
• Property boundaries

Residential land surveys define the property boundaries of land owned by individuals. They are also used to determine whether or not property additions to existing land are legal.

Commercial land surveys differ from residential land surveys in that these surveys are designed to meet the needs of companies.

Municipal land surveys differ from both of the above in that these surveys are designed to meet the needs of governing bodies.

Topographic Survey: Nearly all construction projects begin with a topographic survey because they describe the land prior to any future changes. Topographic surveys serve as the basis for most engineering design, planning, and architectural project. Unlike other maps, they reveal a 3-D depiction of a property by focusing on the changes in elevation rather than horizontal measurements. They’re also more concerned with the natural features of the land, such as hills, trees, buildings, and rivers.

Subdivision Survey: If someone owns a large tract of land and plans to divide it into several smaller lots, then he/she would need a subdivision survey. This survey must meet the guidelines of a local agency (village/city of where the land is).

A surveyor must first create a boundary survey. Then, the subdivision design is completed. The land surveyor performs lot surveys to ensure that the layout corresponds with the design.

Utility surveys enable underground locations to be marked up on a site map using radar/electromagnetic instruments, public records, and physical surveying.

Large construction projects, drilling, and the Earth’s natural ground movement cause buildings and other nearby structures to move around. Monitoring surveys track the movement of structures. They monitor changes in a structure’s horizontal/vertical position, vibrations, and structural deformities.