Lenz & Associates Inc.

Your Surveying Company of Choice

Expert Land and Title Surveying

How much will a survey cost?
Lenz & Associates cost is based on the anticipated difficulty and estimated time needed to complete the project. Many times the surveyor cannot predict the amount of work required to recover the necessary evidence. The time required to obtain field measurement and make boundary determination depends on the availability and proximity of the discovered evidence. Lenz & Associates will give you a cost based upon an hourly rate, experience with similar jobs and a general knowledge of the area.

Why are some surveyors less expensive than other?
Overhead cost such as professional liability insurance, worker compensation, general liability, rent, payroll, taxes, supplies, company vehicles, equipment, etc. are a factor in rate schedules between companies. Choosing a surveyor who is familiar with your locality is very important. In many cases, a local surveyor may have performed work in the area which will provide information not available through other sources. You want to make sure that your surveyor is completely insured. Ask for a certificate of insurance, and a client reference list.

Why is the survey I recently had performed different from the old survey I have?
Discrepancies between surveys are usually attributable to two reasons. The first reason is that measurement, by its nature, is subject to error. For example: one person can count one hundred beans and get the same number as someone else counting a hundred beans. However, if two people measure a cup of beans, it is likely they will have different number of beans. Two surveyors measuring the same line may obtain different values. Both of the values should be similar, but they will only approach the true theoretical value through repetition and statistical analysis. The second reason is that measurements are made from, and decisions are based on found evidence. Surveys performed at different times many not have the same evidence available. The more recent survey may have the benefits of monuments set after the prior survey. And previously existing monuments used from the prior survey may have been obliterated. As the available evidence changes, the findings of the surveyor will also change.

I only need to find one property corner, why do you have to do a whole survey?
By law we are required to check the location of the property corners with other corners. The Surveyor can be responsible for the other property corners even though they did not locate them.

Can I use the survey the seller was provided when they closed on the property?
It is up to the lender if they accept an old survey. If there have been any improvements made to the property, i.e.: fences, pool, buildings, or other permanent structures, the lender will require a new or update survey

What are the advantages of obtaining a new survey?
To determine encroachments that are not reflected on the old survey. For example: a fence was replaced sometime after the previous survey, but it was not placed in the correct location. The new survey would reflect this encroachment. Possibly a new easement was created after the last survey and now you need to know where it is and how it affects your property. These are just a couple of examples of things that may have happened to warrant a new survey.

What is a topographic survey?
A topographic survey is locations of elevations, contours, and features on your property. This is performed to determine the slope of your property for drainage runoff, designing a structure or adding on to an existing structure.