How Much Does a Land Survey Cost?

The cost of land surveying averages between $90 and $170 per hour in Australia. The overall cost of the service depends upon the size, shape, and the location of the site. The land survey cost estimate can increase for properties that are located in the mountains or if the site has an unusual shape.

Land surveying is the technique of examining the three-dimensional points and distances, along with the angles between them. The land surveyor measures the properties that are sold or purchased. They use a tool known as a theodolite as they record the measurements between the horizontal and vertical angles between all of the points.

What is a Land Surveyor?

A land surveyor is a professional who carries out the measurements needed to create a map of the property or site. They work in both an office and on the field while working with sophisticated field equipment like GPS, terrestrial scanners, and aerial scanners. A land surveyor cost will vary. It is influenced by the location of the site and the qualifications of the surveyor.

What does a Land Surveyor do?

Land surveyors make precise measurements to determine the exact boundaries of properties. They are often used for real estate transactions to determine the exact square footage of a property.

It’s essential to hire a land survey to obtain precise measurements of a property that you own, are buying, or are looking to sell. They can help to prevent future legal disputes and reveal possible encroachments. The professionals will accurately determine property lines to avoid potential issues or conflicts in the future.

Type of survey – The type of survey that must be performed is one of the main factors that influence the cost of the services. The type of survey determines the kind of equipment used and how much time it’ll take to measure the boundaries.

Land size – The size of the land that needs to be surveyed determines how much time it will take the surveyor to measure the boundaries. The larger the size of the property, the more the services will cost.

Site location – The location of the site influences how far the professional will need to travel from their office to visit the property, which can add to the cost. The distance also means the professional will need to spend more on fuel and if it takes away from other clients.

Property dimensions and shape – Properties that are a unique or unusual shape can cost more to survey because it can require more work to measure the boundaries. Quadrilateral properties often cost more to survey compared to square properties.

Research and travel time – The amount of research that needs to be performed adds to the number of hours spent on the project and also adds to the cost. The amount of time the professional spends on the road is additional time they contribute to the client, which is also factored into the final price.

Season – The season when the work is performed is an additional factor influencing the cost of the services. If there are harsh weather conditions, it can be more challenging to measure the property and may require specialised tools or equipment, which hikes up the cost. There may also be less demand at certain times of the year, which means paying less.

Land surveyor conducting a survey. | Source: M F Gordon Surveys

Boundary survey – Boundary surveying can take one day to two weeks to complete. The boundary survey cost is an average of $155 per hour.

Construction survey – Construction survey cost depends on the location of the property. Topography, location services, property lines, and a new boundary are needed. The commercial property survey cost is $1,000 to $1,500.

Location survey – Location survey is an average of $300 to $950. The final cost is influenced by the size and shape of the property.

Site planning survey – This survey uses both boundary and topographic surveys to prepare the property for land developments. It costs an average of $365 to $500 per hour.

Subdivision survey – This type of survey is the process of dividing a plot of land into smaller parcels. It costs an average of $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the size of the site.

Topographic survey – Topographic surveys involve gathering data by reviewing the top points on a plot of land and presenting them into a contour of lines on a plot. The cost is $400 to $1,500 for lots smaller than 10,000 square feet.

Re-establishment survey – This requires re-instating a boundary that has already been surveyed while reviewing the fences, building corners, and survey marks. The re-establishment survey cost ranges from ‎$340 to $670.

Property survey – This survey involves researching the property before visiting it, and the property survey cost is dependent on the size of the site and type of terrain on the property. The property survey fees are $415.

Mortgage survey – Mortgage surveys investigate a specific property and can uncover potential problems. The residential building survey cost is $100 to $600.

Fence survey – This type of survey is necessary for those who want to build a fence on their property to determine how many materials will be needed. The fence survey cost is an average of $400. The cost of land survey for fence differs significantly. It depends on the location, the type of terrain, and the kind of year the services are obtained.

Geological survey – Geological surveys study the type of land to ensure buildings are constructed properly. The geological survey cost is an average of $450.

A land surveyor in action. | Source: Statiker

What is the difference between the two? Land surveyors access the spatial layout of the site, and building surveyors handle the legal issues and permits for the planning and construction. Land surveyors determine boundaries and lines, and building surveyors assess buildings.

• Perform a local search online.
• Hire at least three land surveyors.
• Compare rates to find a competitive price to obtain the best home survey cost.

How to Create an Accurate Estimate

• Determine the exact location of the property.
• Decide the date the surveying needs to be performed.
• Consider the shape of the site.

Licencing and Qualifications

• Ask the land surveyor to provide their license.
• Contact the state to confirm the professional’s license and research any complaints they’ve received in recent years.
• Ask the surveyor for at least three references to inquire about the experience of their former customers.
• Read online reviews and the professional’s ratings.

How to Save Money Hiring a Land Surveyor

• Hire the land surveyor during the off-season when their services are less in demand to obtain lower house purchase survey costs.
• Request their services in advance.
• Obtain three different land surveyor quotes to obtain the best deal for the site survey cost.
• Recommend their services to your family members and friends.
• Ask about specials or discounts that are currently available to lower the property boundary survey cost.

* The cost data is based on Oneflare and third-party sources