Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Common Surveying Questions
Providing clear answers is our top priority. This page covers common questions about our surveying services, processes, and what to expect when working with Eagle Surveying.
A boundary survey focuses on locating property lines and corners.
An ALTA/NSPS survey is more detailed and follows national standards required by lenders and title companies, including easements, rights-of-way, and site improvements.
Elevation certificates are commonly required for:
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FEMA floodplain compliance
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Insurance purposes
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Certain permitting requirements
They document a structure’s elevation relative to flood zones.
Drone-based surveying is ideal for:
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Large tracts of land
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Active construction sites
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Infrastructure corridors
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Areas with difficult access
It provides dense, accurate data that integrates directly into design and engineering workflows.
Yes. When performed by experienced professionals, drone and LiDAR surveys deliver precise, reliable data that meets project requirements. Eagle Surveying combines advanced technology with professional oversight to maintain accuracy.
Construction staking transfers design plans from paper to the ground. Survey crews mark building corners, utilities, roads, and grades so contractors know exactly where to build. Accurate staking helps avoid costly errors and rework during construction.
A professional boundary survey can clarify property lines based on deeds, plats, and field evidence. While a survey doesn’t replace legal advice, it often provides the documentation needed to address encroachments or disagreements.
Drone mapping is ideal for:
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Large tracts of land
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Construction progress documentation
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Areas that are hard to access safely
Traditional field surveying is better when:
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Tight tolerances are required around structures
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Boundary evidence must be located precisely
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Urban or congested sites limit airspace use
Eagle Surveying often combines both methods on the same project for the best results.
Choose a Category 1A survey for certain residential lending requirements when a full boundary survey is not required.
Choose a full boundary survey if:
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Property lines must be established or marked
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Improvements or fences are near boundaries
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There’s potential for encroachments
Eagle Surveying can help confirm which option your lender or jurisdiction accepts.
Helpful information includes:
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Property address or legal description
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Intended use (design, purchase, construction, permitting)
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Any deadlines tied to lenders, cities, or contractors
The clearer the goal, the easier it is to recommend the right survey.
Survey results sometimes reveal encroachments, boundary overlaps, or discrepancies. Identifying these early helps owners, designers, and attorneys address issues before they become costly delays.
Development projects typically require:
- Boundary and topographic surveys
- Platting services
- Tree surveys (when required by local jurisdictions)
These services help establish legal lots and support permitting and infrastructure planning.
Surveying during construction includes construction staking, layout, and verification. These services translate approved plans to the ground so contractors know where improvements are intended to be built.
Yes. Post-construction surveys may document final conditions, support permitting closeouts, or provide records for future improvements or property transactions.
Yes. Many projects begin with design-related surveys and add construction or documentation services later. Phasing helps align surveying efforts with project milestones.
Choose construction staking before or during construction to place design elements on the ground.
Choose an as-built survey after construction to document what was actually built.
They serve different phases of the same project.
Many projects move through phases:
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Surveying for design
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Surveying for permitting
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Surveying for construction
Planning services in phases often saves time and avoids rework as the project progresses.
Choose a topographic survey for smaller or straightforward sites where traditional field collection meets the project needs.
Choose LiDAR drone surveying for large sites, long corridors, uneven terrain, or heavily vegetated areas where dense elevation data and efficiency matter.
Both produce elevation data, the difference is scale and method.
A boundary survey establishes where the property legally begins and ends, based on deed research, recorded plats, and physical evidence found in the field. This information forms the foundation for ownership clarity and development planning.
Category 1A surveys are commonly used for certain residential loan requirements, providing boundary-related information without the full scope of a boundary survey.
Elevation certificates document how a structure relates to floodplain elevations, which directly affects flood insurance requirements and FEMA compliance.
Survey scopes can be adjusted to address new requirements, discoveries, or design changes as projects evolve.
A land survey may be required in situations such as:
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When buying, selling, or refinancing property
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When property boundaries or corners are unclear or disputed
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Before dividing land by deed, court order, or subdivision
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When required by a lender, title company, or insurance provider
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Before building improvements near a property line
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When a parcel is created from a larger tract
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When applying for permits with a city or county
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When purchasing title or flood insurance
This keeps all original intent but removes repetition and improves scanability.
Land survey costs vary based on several factors, including:
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The type and purpose of the survey
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Property size, shape, and overall complexity
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Terrain, vegetation, and site conditions
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Accessibility of the property
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Existing improvements such as buildings or fences
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The quality and clarity of existing records and descriptions
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The number of corners or boundaries that must be located or resolved
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Seasonal or weather-related conditions
Each project is different, so survey costs are typically based on the specific scope and conditions of the site.
A professional land surveyor can assist with services such as:
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Researching deeds, plats, and records to establish property boundaries
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Locating and marking property corners and boundary lines
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Identifying improvements, easements, rights-of-way, and encroachments
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Providing survey services tailored to the needs of the property or project
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Coordinating with title companies, lenders, engineers, architects, and other project stakeholders
This keeps everything important while removing redundancy and tightening language.
Providing information ahead of time can help save time and avoid delays. Helpful items may include:
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The purpose of the survey
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A copy of the deed or recorded legal description
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Any existing plats, surveys, or title information
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Known boundary concerns, corners, or disputes
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Contact information for adjacent property owners, if relevant
If available, walking the site with the surveyor and confirming scope, schedule, and payment details in advance can also help the process go smoothly.
Platting is the process of subdividing land or reconfiguring property boundaries and recording them with the local jurisdiction. It’s commonly required for:
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New subdivisions
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Lot splits or combinations
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Commercial developments
Eagle Surveying prepares plats that meet city, county, and state requirements.
