A property survey provides a clear picture of where your land begins and ends. It establishes the legal boundaries of a property using title records, registered plans, historical survey documents, and physical boundary markers identified by a licensed surveyor.
Property Boundaries
The primary purpose of a property survey is to establish the legal boundaries of a property. A licensed surveyor researches title records, registered plans, and previous survey documents before locating physical markers, such as iron bars, that may have been placed on the property many years ago.
Buildings, Easements, and Encroachments
A survey can also show where buildings, decks, sheds, pools, and other structures are located in relation to the property's boundaries.
It may identify registered easements, such as utility corridors or shared driveways, as well as encroachments where a structure extends onto neighbouring land or into a required setback.
Use the Right Survey for the Job
Not every survey document serves the same purpose, so an existing survey may not always provide everything you need. A survey completed decades ago may still establish the property's legal boundaries, but it may not show a newer deck, fence, pool, addition, or other changes made since it was prepared.
Requirements can also vary depending on your plans, particularly if you are applying for permits or need to confirm setback requirements.
When Does Paying for a Property Survey Make Sense?
A property survey can be particularly valuable if you plan to build a fence, install a pool, construct an addition, sever a lot, or resolve a boundary dispute. It can also be worthwhile for older homes, waterfront properties, rural lots, and irregular parcels where property boundaries may be less obvious or existing documentation may be outdated.
If you are purchasing a typical suburban home and have no immediate plans to make changes to the property, an updated survey may not be necessary for the transaction.
Ultimately, whether you need a survey will depend on the property, your plans, and the documentation already available. Your real estate lawyer, lender, or licensed surveyor can help you determine whether an existing survey, title insurance, or an updated survey is appropriate for your situation.