Basic Land Surveying

Land surveying is a precise measurement process that yields information about a property's size, boundary lines, and surface features Where does the boundary follow a straight line? When does it curve to the left or the right? What is the angle degree for each property corner? Do any corners and lines need to be established or re-established? What features exist on the land's surface that are man-made or naturally occurring? These are the suite of questions land surveyors must answer when evaluating the ownership boundaries for each property. The results of each land survey are to be recorded and yield legal information about each surveyed property.
Land Surveyor Definition
A land surveyor is part scientist and part artist. This individual researches what the recorded boundaries are for each inspected property. This research helps the land surveyor know how to read the land and establish justifiable survey markers.To tackle this task, each land surveyor must earn a bachelor's degree in survey technology, civil engineering, or forestry. Some universities require their graduates to develop skills in global information system (GIS) mapping. Upon graduation, prospective land surveyors must pass the Fundamentals of Surveying test for the state(s) in which they want to work. After passing this examination, the college graduates work for four years as an apprentice under a seasoned land surveyor. At the completion of their apprenticeship, the novice land surveyors sit for their Principles and Practices of Surveying examination. Once they pass this final test, the individuals receive their full registration as a professional land surveyor; however, continuing education is required to maintain the license over time. Additional licensing is required to conduct land surveys on construction sites.

These members of the Bureau of Land Management are conducting a cadastral survey in a western desert.

Photograph of people conducting a cadastral survey.
As a land surveyor, the individual does more than just demarcate property boundaries and measure the size of a residential or commercial property site. They also inform real estate developers about where utility lines, roadways, and existing buildings are located in relation to the focal property. Additionally, they determine where mining claims exist. The surveyors add all of this information, including soil conditions and land easements, to a map so that their findings are permanently recorded.

Some land surveyors specialize in mapping ocean floors. Known as hydrographers, they help government agencies know if any ship channels have problematic obstructions. They also help energy developers know where the boundaries are for their offshore oil and gas claims. Land surveyors that identify possible sites for petroleum exploration on land are known as geophysical prospecting surveyors.