Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of the survey is based on several factors, the size and location of the property, the type of survey needed (i.e. boundary survey, topographic mapping, ALTA survey, etc.) and the difficulty and time required to complete the fieldwork and drafting of the survey. The surveyor will research the project and give you a cost estimate based on all of these factors. Please feel free to contact us for a quote with your next survey project.

Surveys are required or recommended in many different circumstances. A homeowner may require a survey in order make sure that they are building a fence or wall on the property line. Many cities or counties will require a boundary survey to verify proposed building setbacks or a topographic survey to determine the existing conditions and elevations on the property. An architect or engineer will use a boundary and topographic survey in order to create an accurate design based on existing conditions. Construction Staking will lay out the proposed locations of new construction correctly on the property. A mortgage company or bank may require an ALTA Survey in order to ascertain that there are no encroachments or any other exceptions to title that may affect the sale of a property. There are many other types of surveys and situations where a survey can be useful. See our Services page for a more complete list of survey services.

A surveyor uses many resources to determine the location of property lines. First, research is done with the city and county where the property is located to gather all of the relevant recorded documents related to the property. These documents may include: subdivision or tract maps, parcel maps, grant deeds , legal descriptions, centerline ties, field books, record of surveys and corner records. These documents are used to calculate the property lines in the area of the survey. Second, the surveyor will visit the property and measure monuments based on the recorded documents listed above. The location of these monuments will allow the surveyor to determine the location of the property lines and set the property corners. Finally, the surveyor will create a map or plat showing the property lines as well as the monuments found and set on the property. This map is delivered to the client and can also be filed with the County Surveyor’s office. See our Boundary Survey page for more information.

A LOMA (Letter of Map Amendment) certificate is submitted when the property owner would like to request to FEMA to have their property and/ or structure removed from the FEMA Flood Hazard zone.

If the property and/ or structure is approved and removed from the flood hazard zone, it would remove or reduce the requirement to obtain flood insurance for the property.

A LOMA application form can be downloaded from the FEMA website. FEMA does not charge a fee to review a LOMA request, but requesters are responsible for providing the required mapping and survey information specific to their property.

Christensen & Plouff Land Surveying is registered with FEMA and able to submit eLOMA applications online.

A boundary line agreement (or lot line adjustment) is an agreement where adjoining landowners accept an alternate line as their common boundary. Most agreements can be resolved through the property owners and require the following:

• Documents that describe the agreement and which convey title to the land being exchanged. (It is always recommended to work with an attorney in preparing the documents.)
• New legal descriptions and maps prepared by a licensed surveyor, depicting both properties and the adjusted lines. Once approved documents are filed with the County Recorder or Auditor.

At Christensen & Plouff we can help prepare the boundary line agreement to be submitted to the City or County for review.

Surveyors can determine and measure property line through the following process:

First, research is done with the city and county where the property is located to gather all the relevant recorded documents related to the property. These documents may include: subdivision or tract maps, parcel maps, grant deeds, legal descriptions, centerline ties, field books, record of surveys and corner records. These documents are used to calculate the property lines around the survey.

Second, the surveyor will visit the property and measure monuments based on the recorded documents listed above. The location of these monuments will allow the surveyor to determine the location of the property lines and set the property corners.

Finally, the surveyor will create a map or plat showing the property lines as well as the monuments found and set on the property. This map is delivered to the client and can also be filed with the County Surveyor’s office. See our Boundary Survey page for more information.

Land is surveyed by land surveyors working with elements of geometry, trigonometry, regression analysis, physics, engineering, metrology, programming languages, and the law. They use equipment, such as total stations, robotic total stations, theodolites, GPS receivers, retroreflectors, 3D scanners, radios, handheld tablets, digital levels, subsurface locators, drones, GIS, and surveying software.

The price varies on the cost to have land surveyed. We offer free quotes and we have a quick turnaround in our process to get you the quote. Contact us today and we can help you get on your way.

You can find a county land survey record online through your county’s website or by going to the county recorder’s office.

The cost of an ALTA survey depends on the complexity of the land or property. Unfortunately, it is not once size fits all matrix. This is why at Christensen & Plouff we offer free quotes to every project.

The cost of a topographic survey depends on the area, size and complexity of the land or property. Contact us today for a free quote and we can research the cost of your project.

The cost of a residential land survey depends on the size, area, and complexity of the land. Every lot is different, which is why Christensen & Plouff offers free quotes for any project.

The cost of a boundary survey depends on many factors including the location, description and size the property. We are happy to walk you through the process and provide a free quote for the project.