Definition of "What is surveying?"

Ever since prehistoric times, surveying has been one of the most important acts conducted prior to the construction of any type of structure. If ever wondered what are the steps you need to take in order to build something from scratch, then we can give you a glimpse on how the process is actually starting. What is surveying and who gets to do this job?

Commonly it is believed that any building starts with the foundation, but actually one of the first things that are required is ensuring that the land is able to sustain the structures that will be built upon it. This is where surveying comes into play.

Surveying is a profession, but it is also a technique that uses scientific methods to determine the terrestrial position of points and different measurements between them such as distance, angles, and others. These measured positions are usually located on the Earth’s surface, and they are used to set boundaries or establish maps for locations as well as ownership.

Surveying is also used as a means to determine the surface of a location and it’s future use for any entity that is going to build upon the land. There are different types of land surveys that exist but some of the most important are Mortgage, Boundary, Construction, and topographic surveys.

Surveys are usually conducted by land surveyors and if you ever wondered what a land surveyor does, well you probably got your answer by now. In order to perform this task, land surveyors require academic studies and need to have good technical knowledge.

While some of your favorite places to live have undergone a survey in the past, finding a place to live is a task more fit for a realtor. That’s why we recommend hiring a land surveyor for your land surveys and finding a real estate agent to help you search for your dream home.

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 Questions

Popular Real Estate Glossary Terms

Unsecured long-term debt. There is no collateral or lien on the property. A debenture can only be issued by a financially sound borrower with an excellent credit rating because no ...

Claude in a contract, title, or mortgage that is subject to being annulled, repealed, or revoked upon the satisfaction of a claim or completion of a future event. ...

Changing property ownership. An example is the sale of a home to another. ...

(1) Paved roadway constructed above lowlands such as a swamp. (2) Roadway in ancient Egypt connecting the valley temple with a pyramid. ...

Something that is inferred, but not explicitly stated. The inference may be deducted from the relevant information. ...

Buyer who is acting in good faith, is not aware of any outstanding claims or rights of others to the property, and has given valuable consideration as part of the business transaction. ...

Intentionally misstated or undisclosed facts, statements or representations. Misrepresentation is a form of fraud which could lead to cancellation of a contract or other liability. For ...

Legal status conferred by certain states on a homeowner's principal residence. In certain states, homestead status may provide protection against creditor claims or forced land sales ...

Thinking about selling your own home without an agent? You can. For Sale By Owner or FSBO is how it’s called in the real estate world. It's when a homeowner decides to sell his/her ...