what to ask your land surveyor

If you're hiring a land surveyor in California, you’ll want to ask questions specific to state laws, regulations, and local requirements. Here’s a tailored list of questions:

Credentials & Experience

Are you licensed to practice in California? (Verify with the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.)
Do you have experience with properties in my county or city?
Can you provide references from past clients in California?
Do you have liability and errors & omissions (E&O) insurance?

Survey Process & Regulations

What type of survey do I need for my specific project? (Boundary, topographic, ALTA, construction, etc.)
Will you file any necessary documents with the county recorder or local planning department?
Are there any California-specific regulations I should be aware of?
How do you handle discrepancies if property lines conflict with neighboring surveys?

Costs & Deliverables

What is the estimated cost of the survey? (Ask for a breakdown of fees.)
What deliverables will I receive? (Maps, legal descriptions, digital files, etc.)
Will you mark the property boundaries with physical markers?
Are there any hidden costs I should be aware of?

Legal & Compliance

Will this survey be legally valid for property sales, disputes, or construction?
Can you help with encroachment issues or property disputes?
Do I need a survey for fence placement or a new structure? (Local zoning codes may apply.)

Timeline & Follow-Up

How long will the survey take to complete?
Will I need to be present during the survey?
Can this survey be used for future projects, such as subdivision or land development?

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