A residential land surveyor creates reports that define the exact boundaries of residential land plots. Before they can finance a piece of real estate, many countries require homeowners to order a land survey. Some people mix up surveyors and land appraisers, but surveyors are responsible for determining the size of residential plots, whereas appraisers are responsible for determining the market value of these parcels.
There are no specific academic requirements for someone wishing to work as a residential land surveyor in some countries, though those who work in the field are usually required to go through a licensing process. Some universities offer undergraduate surveying degree programs in which students learn techniques for measuring land areas, determining water boundaries, and even calculating airspace. Aside from full-fledged degree programs, many community colleges offer short-term surveying vocational courses, with some specializing in residential real estate. Residential land surveyors must complete some kind of training course before applying for a license, according to regulatory rules in some areas. Applicants are typically required to pay a fee and pass an examination as part of the licensing process.
Building companies hire a residential land surveyor to mark out the boundaries between the plots of land on which new houses will be built during new construction. To determine the perimeter of each property, surveyors use global positioning satellites, geographic information systems (GIS), and traditional equipment such as tape measures. Construction companies may then erect fences along these lines to make the property lines more visible.
Surveyors are frequently asked to determine whether existing fences and other types of structures are located on the actual property line that divides two plots of residential land, in addition to marking out property lines. When a garden fence is placed in the wrong location and someone is injured close to the fence, liability issues can arise. If the accident occurred on the other side of the fence, the property owner on the other side of the fence may be liable for damages. As a result, whenever a home changes hands, insurance companies and mortgage companies frequently request a report from a residential land surveyor to ensure that all parties are aware of exactly where one plot of land ends and the next begins.
Some surveyors are self-employed, in which case they work for a variety of clients on a contract basis and are paid a flat fee for each survey they complete. Other surveyors work for real estate firms or title companies, and they are typically paid a salary. Many surveyors are qualified to conduct a variety of surveys, but some prefer to concentrate on residential properties.