Consider drawing on professionals for property diagrams

Surveys, Plot Plans and Sketches…

The true value of a properly done, signed and certified land survey showing all building, structures, driveways, shoreline features, potential encroachments, sheds, fences, septic system areas or any other type of development is so misunderstood.

It is amazing how so many applications for new buildings, or additions to existing ones, come into the Code Office without a good survey.

One of the first items, in the instructions, on the applications is to provide a survey.

But, just like in school, few people actually read the instructions.

As an example, when an application for a new house, or even additions or accessory structures, are received in the Code Office, the first thing we look for is the survey.

The location of the structure must be verified.

Minimum distances from all property lines, roads and shorelines need to be clearly identified.

Any existing structures that may already be there also need to be shown because there are minimum distances required between structures.

All too often attached to the application is a rough sketch of the lot, and hand drawn in is the location of the proposed new house.

No dimensions of any kind are shown and those are clearly not even close to scale.

The more sophisticated applicant will do some sort of computer-generated plot plan, using fancy colors showing different things and then assume that this office will just accept it, because it looks official as compared to a hand-drawn sketch.

The situation ends up dictating whether or not we can accept such a plot plan.If the property is huge—really huge—and it is clear the boundary lines are hundreds of feet away from the work zone, and any shorelines involved can be easily verified to be plenty far enough away, then maybe an actual land survey—one prepared by a licensed Land Surveyor—is not needed.

Most of the time, it is not this easy.

For additions, remodeling or replacement of structures, and there are existing conditions like being too close to the lake, property lines or roads, a real, certified land survey map will be required.

Not a sketch, not a plot plan, but a true land survey. And it should be fairly current.

If it’s an older survey, it can be “updated” by the original surveyor to verify that there have been no changes to existing site conditions or other improvements to buildings that may not be on the surveyor’s map.

Another thing that just seems strange is how many properties seem to change hands without the benefit of current surveys, or at least an updated one.

Usually when the banks are involved up-to-date certified surveys are required.

But when there is no bank or mortgage involved it seems people too often just don’t worry about it.

Having grown up with a Father who was a licensed Professional Engineer and Licensed Land Surveyor, the memory of doing a lot of field-work seems like yesterday.

Of course that was when the transit, level rod, and 200 foot calibrated steel tape were the tools of the trade.

It’s amazing how good you can get holding the plumb-bob over your head, keeping the plumb-bob over that little nail and pulling pretty darn hard on the stupid end of the tape as a kid.

Back in those years you could get a survey done for a couple hundred bucks, maybe a little less.

Of course back then, you could buy that house for twelve grand too.

Today’s technology provides accuracy and equipment that cuts field time substantially.

But the investment into the robotics and electronic equipment is a tad more than that old transit, site rod and 200 foot calibrated steel tape.

Again, the value of a properly done, professional certified land survey, prepared by a licensed Land Surveyor, cannot be measured.

And it is what this office needs to help process your application.