FAQs
What is a surveyor?
A surveyor is a professional licensed by the State to perform land surveying services. A surveyor is a legal title, like lawyer, or engineer or architect. It is illegal for someone other than a surveyor to offer surveying services.
A surveyor’s first duty is to protect the rights of the public.
A surveyor is required to be licensed so that customers can be sure that when they hire a surveyor that that person has undergone the required training to assume the title. You can search the state database to check an see if a surveyor has a license here (opens in a new tab). Our Land Surveyor License number is 8922, feel free to look us up.
Are there different kinds of surveyors?
Different surveyors might specialize in one aspect of land surveying, i.e. Construction, boundary, easements, or topography, but they are all still licensed surveyors.
What kind of training do you have to go through?
The path to becoming a professional land surveyor is challenging, and there are a few different paths that an aspiring surveyor can take. Land Surveying, or Geomatics, is offered as an undergraduate study program, and some colleges and universities offer a Bachelor’s of Science in Land Surveying. A university education qualifies a future surveyor to sit for the first professional exam, the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS). 2 years of qualified work experience under a licensed surveyor also gives an applicant the right to sit for the first exam. After passing the Fundamentals of Surveying exam a candidate is now a Land Surveyor in Training (LSIT) and must continue working under a licensed surveyor for another 4 years all while honing their skills and learning the profession. The candidate is now ready to sit for the 2nd exam, the National. Upon successful completion of the National, the candidate now must compile 4 written references from licensed land surveyors to be able to sit for the final, state specific exam. A passing score on the state specific exam results in the issuance of a Professional Land Surveyor’s License. If you are interested in becoming a surveyor you can find additional information here (opens a new tab).
Is there a state board that regulates surveyors?
In California, the “Board” is the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyor and Geologists. You can visit their website by clicking here. (opens a new tab).
Why do I need to hire a surveyor?
Surveyors are trained and licensed to read detailed maps, to create such maps, and to work with contractors and engineers to complete a wide array of projects. Often certifications are required for new construction having to do with the placement or height of structures; a land surveyor is required to provide those stamped certification letters for the approving agency. Surveyors are licensed to do more than just take a few measurements, their licenses entail a significant amount of legal weight.
What kinds of work can you do as a surveyor?
A surveyor measures and records the surface of the earth and those things appurtenant to it. Surveyors mark out property lines, draw topographical maps, measure the dimensions of instructions, provide information concerning the edges of easements, interpret maps, and generally stand as foundation in the improvement and development of property.
What information do you need from me to start a survey job?
The address where the work will take place or the parcel number of the property, your contact information., and information/a description of what you want to do.
Why do you have to come to my house, can’t you use something like Google Earth to measure my property?
Google Earth is an extremely useful tool to anyone that has questions about their property. However, it is an in-depth, site-specific investigation or survey with precise data that answers the questions that engineers, architects, or city planning departments have regarding individual projects. Visiting the physical location is necessary to gain an accurate understanding of the situation and the work to be done.
Why don’t you list set prices on your website?
While we strive to offer the most competitive pricing that we can, every job has different challenges and requirements. To offer a set price would be dishonest to both the customer as well as to the surveyor who has worked for years honing their specialized skills.
Why are your prices so high? It seems like you just use a fancy electronic measuring tape, anyone could do that.
Surveying is a career for a reason, and part of that reason is the skills and knowledge to required to do a wide array of tasks in accord with state regulations as well as industry best practices.
After my project is over, can I move the monuments you set in the ground on my property?
The monuments set by a surveyor are there for a reason, and disturbing a monument set by a surveyor is a crime. Surveyors usually try to ensure that set monuments are unobtrusive and permanent. If you have questions about monuments on your property you can either reach out to your local government about it, or you can contact a surveyor for information about its purpose.
Will you file all the paperwork with the city/county for me? Or do I need to follow up afterwards?
This is dependent on the requirements of the specific job. Contact us today to learn how we can help you with your project.