“This article is the latest in a series written for the public to help Albertans better understand land surveying and the land surveying profession. It was written by The Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association, and is published with permission.”
You are thinking about putting up a garden shed or rebuilding your fence. Or you are debating with your neighbour about where your property ends and their property begins. Or you have questions about an easement on your property.
In all cases, you likely need to engage a professional land surveyor to assist you.
Most Albertans have never had any contact with a land surveyor, other than seeing them on a job or construction site. However, for years Albertans have been quietly and positively impacted by their efforts.
Before you engage a professional land surveyor, here is what you need to know.
- Land surveying can only be completed by a licensed, professional land surveyor or land surveying company, licensed by the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association (ALSA).
- Albertans, municipalities and others that use individuals not licensed to practice land surveying in Alberta expose themselves to undue risk and liability.
- Determining property boundaries involves much more than taking measurements with modern equipment. Alberta Land Surveyors assess historical records, existing survey evidence, and legal principles to reach an independent conclusion. Their opinions are based on evidence, not on the wishes of a client or other interested parties.
- It can be tempting to read the distances on your own survey or real property report, grab a tape measure and figure out for yourself where your property lines start and stop. The reality is when property and landowners try to do this themselves, they almost always get the location of their property lines wrong.
- When should you engage the services of a land surveyor?
- When you need to determine the location of a property line before building a fence, shed, garage, greenhouse or other structure that may encroach on a neighbouring property.
- To locate and identify your property corners and utility rights of way that you cannot build on.
- For any situation where a boundary of land or any reference to that boundary is in question.
- If you have general questions about your property boundaries, land title, easements, or other property-related issues, contact an Alberta Land Surveyor, surveying firm, or lawyer. Seeking professional advice early can help prevent misunderstandings and costly disputes.
- When you engage a land surveyor to survey your land, you will receive a copy of the survey showing property corners and boundaries. If you need to confirm the location of your property lines before starting your next home improvement project, a land surveyor will physically mark the property lines on the ground and, if requested, provide you with a sketch showing the boundaries.
- Many Albertans who have purchased real estate are familiar with a real property report (RPR). Only a licensed Alberta Land Surveyor can legally prepare a real property report. An RPR includes any improvements and additions to the property, including the house, garage, sheds, fences, retaining walls, decks and more, and shows where these structures are relative to the boundaries of the property.
- The ALSA is the regulator of the professional practice of land surveying in Alberta. Their efforts and oversight ensure land surveys are objective and that land surveyors are always working in the best interests of Albertans.
- The ALSA regulates who can be a professional land surveyor or land surveying company. The ALSA ensures land surveyors are continually learning and improving, and they investigate any complaints against land surveyors and apply discipline measures when necessary.
- How can you find a licensed professional land surveyor in your area? The ALSA has a listing of land surveyors that can provide surveying services in Alberta.
- What does a typical survey cost? Before you engage a land surveyor to complete a survey, you should discuss your needs and get an estimate. Where possible, get estimates from a few different land surveyors, and ask about the time it will take to complete the survey. This will allow you to compare costs and the time required to complete the work.
- The cost of a survey will depend on several factors, including:
- The size and complexity of the property.
- The type of survey required.
- The availability of survey evidence that define the boundaries of the property.
- Other surveys in your area.
Do you have more questions or want to learn more about land surveying? Visit alsa.ab.ca.
