The cost of obtaining a land survey is dependent on the type of survey needed and is influenced by a number of factors. Generally, the larger the area, the lower the cost “per acre”.
What does a land surveyor do?
Land Surveyors in British Columbia are responsible for establishing property boundaries and corners and providing opinions on the location of building improvements and other features in relation to the property lines. They complete legal surveys and prepare cross-sectional drawings, official plans, records and documents which can be registered with the Land Title Survey Authority.
What kinds of land surveys are there?
There are a number of land surveys, each with a different purpose, including but not limited to:
- Topographical surveys
- Construction layout
- Control surveys
- Building certificates
- As-built plans
- Deformation monitoring
How are the costs of the survey established?
Each of the following items will affect the cost of obtaining a land survey in British Columbia:
- Type of survey. As noted above, the type of survey will affect the cost. Generally, the more information collected, the longer it takes and as a result, the cost will be higher.
- Travel distance. Because the number of commissioned Land Surveyors in British Columbia is quite limited, travel will often be required, especially if the property being surveyed is located in a smaller, remote community. The farther the surveyors travel, the higher the cost for gas, time and possibly accommodations for overnight stays.
- Terrain. The lay of the land can create issues in collecting information for completion of the survey. If there are elevation changes, or other features which impact the surveyor’s ability to conduct the survey, it will take more time and as a result the costs will increase.
- Shape of the land. As with terrain challenges, the shape of the parcel can also impact the surveyor’s ability to collect information. A square shaped parcel will be easier to survey than a parcel with a variety of strange angles or corners.
- Availability of information. The local Land Title’s Registry is a great source of information, but in the event information is difficult to track down, more time will be spent sourcing the details needed, thereby increasing the cost of the survey.
When contacting a Land Surveyor, make sure to provide them with as much information and detail as possible to ensure you get an accurate estimate for the cost and to minimize the risk of unexpected “extra” costs cropping up later.
Land Surveyors can’t offer a “one size fits all” price because every property is unique and the level of work and detail required varies. For these reasons, it’s critical that you provide as much information as possible upfront so they can accurately estimate the scope and price of the job.