Definition of "Land Surveyor"

Kyle McCarthy real estate agent

Written by

Kyle McCarthyelite badge icon

ReMax

When looking for the definition of a land surveyor, most definitions are quite simple and concise: a land surveyor is a person who measures the distance between two points, the angle between lines and the geographical position of a property in a professional manner. The information he/she collects is the base for property maps. One of the most important land surveys conducted is the one that determines the boundaries for ownership, also known as the boundary survey. A land surveyor has different attributions than an assessor or appraiser.  

There are many types of land surveys that can be ordered for different purposes. For example, a mortgage survey is usually requested by a mortgage company or a bank before issuing a loan. Site layout surveys are used by engineers and building companies to know exactly where to place the components of a building project or public constructions and utilities.

Depending on experience, a land surveyor may earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually. Land surveyors are in demand, and there will always be a need for land surveyors as the country will continue to expand its infrastructure. Some companies may hire surveyors only with a high school diploma or GED, but to be better prepared for the job, a 4-year bachelor’s degree in surveying, mapping, or geomatics is a great choice. Some states may also require a degree program approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Preparation for a land surveyor career also opens other opportunities, such as the possibility to work as a GPS technician, a deed and lease researcher or as a civil engineering assistant. Land surveyors may become members of the National Society of Professional Surveyors or the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) as well as The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping.

A land survey refers to the surface of the land, its topography and geographical coordinates (mapping), while a soil survey analyzes the chemical/organic composition of the soil, whether it is suitable for building or not, predicting how the soil will behave -it’s important to distinguish between these two.  

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

An individual appointed by a court to manage the affairs and property of a legally incompetent party. The conservator has full decision-making authority over the affairs of the property in ...

Sales commission charged to buy shares in a real estate mutual fund sold by a broker or salesperson. Typically, the fee ranges from about 1 percent to 8 percent of the initial investment. ...

Sponsor of a syndicate involving people or companies buying an interest in a real estate investment or unit. The group of investors are in effect engaged in a joint venture for profit." ...

British thermal unit-a unit of energy associated with the creation of heat. Prior to 1929, it was defined as the amount of heat required to raised the temperature of 1 pound of water 1 ...

Are you planning on buying a house? If you are, you’re going to love the Buyer's Market definition. But if you are a home seller, you will wish that term never comes up again in your ...

Listing of items in priority or sequential order. There may be a succession or series of steps to result in a desired outcome. An example is what logical order should occur in building a ...

When we use the term contingent, we typically imply that something is dependent on another factor. Real estate contingencies make home selling, buying, or even inheriting a property ...

To undertake or take on a responsibility or duty. ...

Danger, hazard, risk, or peril. For example, jeopardizing a piece of property by pledging it as collateral for a loan. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions