Who Pays for the Land Survey of My Property? [infographic]

Getting a land survey of your property is invaluable when you want to establish clear property boundaries and legal land descriptions. However, many property owners face a common question: who is responsible for paying for the land survey of my property?

Before diving into the responsibilities of payment, it’s important to understand why a land survey is needed. A survey may be needed for property sales, construction projects, resolving boundary disputes, and ensuring compliance with local zoning laws. Here’s who pays for it in each situation:

• Property Transactions. In a property sale, the responsibility for paying for a land survey of the property often falls on the seller. The survey gives the potential buyer accurate information about the land. However, just like many other costs in real estate transactions, this fee can be negotiated.
• Construction and Development. If you’re planning a construction project or a significant landscaping job on your property, you must finance the land survey. For example, if I wanted to construct a new building on our site, I’d need to schedule and pay for a land survey of my property.
• Boundary Disputes. When disputes arise with neighbors over property lines, the cost of a land survey typically falls on the party initiating the survey. However, if the dispute escalates to legal proceedings, the court might order the other party to reimburse these costs.
• Local Government and Utility Companies. Local government entities or utility companies may require a land survey for their projects or infrastructure development. In such cases, these entities usually cover the survey costs.
• Insurance and Mortgage Requirements. If a land survey is required by your mortgage lender or insurance company, the cost falls on you as the property owner.

Whether you’re buying or selling property, planning construction, or dealing with boundary disputes, understanding these nuances helps effectively manage land survey costs. Be sure to give us a call if you’re still wondering, Why would I need a land survey of my property?