Residential

Are you curious where your property lines are and want to build a fence? Do you think your neighbor has built a fence or structure that may have encroached onto your property. We will be happy to come out and show your boundary lines. If you are interested in subdivding your property into seperate partitions for family members, we can do a partition survey for you. We can also do a mortgage survey if you're trying to close on a house you're buying or selling. If you think you may be in a flood zone or if your mortgage company is requesting you purchase flood insurance, we can come and see if your property meets the FEMA regulation standards and provide you a Flood Elevation Certificate. Below is a more detailed description of what to expect for your desired survey.

Boundary Survey

Before beginning a survey, we will research the deed history of your property at the local county courthouse going back to 50 years prior, or more if needed. We do this because many properties have divided and sold off separate partitions and easements over the years. If your property is a lot recorded in a subdivision, we will find the recorded subdivision plat. We will also retrieve the deeds to any adjacent lots if any property lines intersect yours.

When doing boundary surveys, we mainly focus on locating existing boundary markers and tying bright, pink ribbon around them so you can notice them easier. If a boundary marker is subjected to be missing, we will set either metal stakes, wooden stakes labeled "property corner," or set a 1/2" rebar with a yellow plastic cap labeled "Pittman TN 1414" on top with a stake or post next to it. We will also set wooden stakes along the property lines spaced far enough for you to be able to see where the property lines run.

If you are concerned with encroachments from your neighbors and need us to give you an AutoCAD drawing of the survey, we will have to discuss an additional fee. We will then locate structures, fences, utitlities, etc. and show how it relates to the property and if there is anything encroaching. We will notify you and your neighbors of any encroachments. There are several variables such as the acreage, vegetation, and contours of the property that are determined once we begin the survey. Therefore, the price of the survey may fluctuate from property to property. We will meet with you and discuss an affordable price before beginning the survey.

Partition Survey

The same procedures apply to us finding all of the necessary deeds recorded of your property, adjacent properties, and whatever easements that may have been recorded. We will also properly find and mark all boundary corners of the property, as well as, locate roads, building structures, fences, and utilities on or along the property.

When we begin subdividing the property into a seperate parition, we will try to meet your specifications while ensuring we comply with all county setbacks and regulations and will mark the stakes accordingly. If your new partition has no road frontage, we will create an ingress and egress easement (50' minimum), which we will stake as well.

If the property is under 5 acres in Tipton County (4 acres in Shelby County), we will first present a preliminary minor plat to the planning office and see if the building inspector approves the new partition. We will notify you if there needs to be changes and adjust any boundary corners or line stakes we have already set. Once a final plat has been approved, you will have to pay the cost and have it recorded at the local Register's office.

Mortgage Survey

This type of survey, also known as a "lot survey" or "closing survey" is usually done at the request of banks, realtors, attorneys, and title companies prior to a loan closing. Generally, these lots are a part of a subdivision. We will do the same surveying procedures as far as locating and marking all boundary corners. We will also locate the house, driveway, utilities, and fencing on the property and provide a drawing of the survey for the bank or real estate company. The pricing of the survey is based upon the acreage of the property. We will give you a quote before beginning the survey.

Flood Elevation Survey

This type of survey is used to determine the elevation of a house relative to the floodplain. Your mortgage company may be required to ask you to purchase flood insurance. We will begin this survey by referring to the FEMA Flood Insurance Rates Maps (FIRMS). These maps show the potential areas of flooding based on the 1-percent chance storm event and if you're in the Special Flood Hazard Area. When you get the amount of rain comprising the 1-percent storm the water will come to a certain elevation near your home, known as the Base Flood Elevation.

Our procedure in completing this survey is as follows. First, we will locate the finished floor of your house and garage if it's at a lower elevation. Second, we will locate some topographical locations around your house to show the contours, or terrain, of your property. Finally, we will locate a known benchmark nearest to your home. This said benchmark has an exact elevation in compliance with the FIRMS.

We will then fill out an Elevation Certificate, which will have the finished floor elevation of your home determining whether or not your house is above or below the floodplain. We will adhere to all requirements of the certificate including pictures of the house and property. This certificate will be sent to the property owner notifying you if you are required to purchase flood insurance.