Common questions about land surveying.

Many factors go into a survey quote: when was the property last surveyed, what is the terrain like, is it wooded or open, how many neighboring properties are involved, what is the purpose of the survey, and how large is the parcel? Each of these affects the time required in the field and in the office. We price projects transparently — request a quote and we will walk you through the factors specific to your property.

We start by pulling deeds for your property and every adjoining parcel — sometimes going further to locate existing monuments. Once the deed research is complete, we draft an abstract of the area, notify adjacent property owners of the upcoming survey, and schedule the fieldwork. After all monuments are found or set, we prepare a certified plat of survey for delivery.

It depends on the size of the parcel, the terrain, the availability of existing survey records, and the type of survey required. A typical residential boundary survey takes one to three weeks from engagement to delivery of the plat. We will give you a realistic timeline estimate when we review your project.

A plat of survey is a scaled, certified drawing showing the legal boundaries of your property, the location of monuments, adjoining property owners, and any relevant easements or encroachments. It is a legal document prepared and signed by a licensed Professional Surveyor. It can be used in legal proceedings, for title purposes, and for recording with the county.

In most cases, yes. A survey ensures your fence is placed on your actual property line rather than accidentally crossing into a neighbor's yard — which can lead to costly disputes and forced removal. A retracement survey will locate the exact corners and allow us to set points along the line for your fence installer.

A boundary survey defines the legal property lines and results in a plat of survey and, when needed, a legal description. A topographic survey maps the physical features and elevations of the land — it does not establish legal boundaries. Some projects, such as construction site planning, require both.

Yes. Derrick holds Professional Surveyor licenses in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. If your property straddles a state line, we can handle the entire project without bringing in a second firm.

Clear access to property corners and fence lines where possible — particularly if they are overgrown. Have your deed or title commitment available if you can locate it. Beyond that, we handle the research and fieldwork. You do not need to be present during the survey.