What Information Should I Have Before Calling a Surveyor?

Greg Hawkins, PLS
Aug 6
3 min read

🦅Perspective

by Hawkins Geospatial

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Getting Started

If you've never hired a land surveyor before, you may not know where to begin. No worries! We're here to help.

While you don't need to have every detail figured out before reaching out, having a few pieces of information available can help your surveyor better understand your project and provide the most accurate guidance.

Here are some of the most helpful things to have before making that first call.

The Property Address or Location

The first thing your surveyor will likely ask for is the property's location.

If available, have:

Street address
Parcel Identification Number (PIN)
Nearby roads or landmarks if the property doesn't have an address

This allows the surveyor to locate the property and begin researching public records.

What Are You Trying to Accomplish?

The purpose of the survey often determines what type of work is needed.

Common reasons include:

Purchasing or selling property
Installing a fence
Building a home or addition
Constructing a garage or outbuilding
Dividing or combining property
Resolving a boundary question
Planning commercial development
Obtaining financing or title insurance

Even if you're unsure which type of survey you need, simply explaining your project is usually enough for your surveyor to point you in the right direction.

Any Existing Documents

If you have copies of previous documents related to the property, they can often save time during the research process.

Helpful documents may include:

Previous surveys
Recorded or unrecorded plats
Deeds
Title documents
Site plans
Construction drawings

Don't worry if you don't have these records—your surveyor can often obtain many of them through public records.

Information About the Property

A few details about the property itself can also be helpful.

For example:

Is the property wooded or open?
Is anyone currently living there?
Are there locked gates?
Are there livestock or pets on the property?
Has any recent construction occurred?

These details help the surveyor plan field work and identify any potential access considerations.

Your Timeline

If your survey is connected to a real estate closing, construction schedule, or permitting deadline, be sure to mention it during your first conversation.

While not every deadline can be accommodated, knowing your schedule early allows the surveyor to discuss realistic expectations and plan accordingly.

Questions to Ask

Your first conversation is also an opportunity to ask questions.

Consider asking:

What type of survey do you recommend?
What does the survey include?
Approximately how long will it take?
Will I receive a plat or digital files?
Are there any factors that could affect the cost or schedule?

A good surveyor will be happy to explain the process and answer your questions.

Don't Worry About Having Everything

Many first-time clients hesitate to call because they think they need to know exactly what to ask. In reality, that's what your surveyor is there for.

Even if all you have is a property address and a general idea of your project, an experienced surveyor can guide you through the next steps and recommend the services that best fit your needs.