In British Columbia, the Land Surveyors Act specifies only a commissioned British Columbia Land Surveyor may establish property lines (boundaries) and corners. They are also the only professionals permitted to provide an opinion on the location of improvements or other features in relation to their proximity to a boundary or corner.
To find a Land Surveyor, you can check the following resources:
- https://abcls.ca. The Association of British Columbia Land Surveyors (the “ABCLS”) is the self-governing regulatory group responsible for the conduct of its members. They do this by enacting bylaws and rules surrounding how the business of land surveying is conducted. The ABCLS also works with the government to improve the level of service provided to the public.
Since there are a limited number of commissioned land surveyors in the Province of British Columbia, there may not be one in your community. The ABCLS website has a complete listing of all commissioned land surveyors, including names, companies and locations. The links for each surveyor provides their company contact information, email address and phone numbers.
- https://ltsa.ca. The Land Title and Survey Authority (“LTSA”) registers land surveys and title interests in a central registry which is one of the core sources of information when property is being conveyed (sold). Encumbrances, mortgages, right-of-way’s, easements or other registrations are all recorded by LTSA. Many of these items, or charges, are documents completed by the Land Surveyor to delineate the property lines or other boundaries of a particular property.
- Ask your real estate professional for a referral. Many real estate professionals have a network of associated service providers such as building inspection companies, land surveyors, lawyers, and mortgage brokers. Checking with your Realtor can be a great starting point if you need a land surveyor but haven’t used one previously.
- Ask your lawyer. If you have, or know, a lawyer who provides real estate expertise, they may have relationships with land surveyors, or know of a reputable company for you to speak with.
- Internet search. Use your favorite search engine to find a reputable Land Surveyor in your area.
As with any type of service provider that you’ve never dealt with before, speak with whomever you choose to determine if they can provide the services you need. A lot of companies will provide a free consultation and answer any questions you may have before you proceed.
Don’t hesitate to ask about pricing structure – is it a flat fee or a time and disbursements scenario. If it’s time and disbursements, ask them for an estimate so you know what you’re going to pay before you sign any agreements or contracts. You don’t want to find out there are a lot of hidden costs or expenses AFTER you sign the contract.
Also, ask for references that you can speak with. If they have a good track record, they are generally happy to provide you with the names of previous clients who can confirm they had a positive experience.