If you needed to,
could you step out and mark exactly where your property begins and ends? Most
property owners can’t tell you exactly where the edges of their property are,
but a survey can fix that. A property survey is far more than just knowing
where the edges of the property are, though.
You can have a
property survey done whenever you want, but in general, this is done when you
are buying a property. You need to know what exactly it includes so you know
what you’re getting into. You want to know of any potential issues and a
property survey can let you know what to expect.
The surveyor will walk
the land and measure it, marking out the various areas and elements included on
the property. This is then transferred onto a map that shows your actual
property and its real measurements. You’ll also receive a description in
writing. This will include everything on the property, building locations and
the street address.
Why You Need a Survey Done
Why exactly would you
need a property survey done? Often, people will choose to get a survey done if
they’re about to sell or purchase a property. They may also want to do it if
someone is disputing the property lines, or before putting up a fence or wall.
If you do this ahead of any major construction, you can be certain that you’re
not crossing any property lines. That could cause more serious issues later and
may even result in having to tear down your construction if it was placed in
the wrong spot.
There are other
reasons someone might need a survey, however. Including the following:
Finding boundary
lines: This is mentioned above, but it’s a major reason for people to get a
property survey done. It’s essential that any building occurs on your side of
the property, which may necessitate marking out boundary lines. You’ll need to
know exactly where all your lines are.
Checking easements and
right-of-way: Your property has a report that will include any agreements or
rules that you need to follow. For example, there may be a rule that requires
you to allow your neighbour to cross your land if you have blocked their access
to the main road. A survey will confirm and show any legally binding agreements
that you need to honour.
Certify existing
buildings and repairs exist: Over the years, you’ve probably built on to your
home, in the form of sheds, landscaping, and other improvements. If you’re
planning on building or selling your property, you’ll need to do a survey that
will certify your improvements meet all legal requirements. This includes
height and width, as well as frontage, building lines, and parking, among other
things that may be particular to your area.
To map out waterways:
If you have streams, or a river or lake/pond on your property, you may want to
do a survey to ensure this is marked on your property papers. This will help
you determine where to best build or put a well, etc. If you’re considering
purchasing a property that has waterways, you need to know exactly where they
are before you buy, so you can determine if they will affect your future plans.
Map any and all
utilities: It’s pretty obvious where the electric poles are on a property, but some
utilities may be underground. The survey may be able to show this and it’s very
important to know exactly where everything is in case you plan to dig or
install anything. You will be told where the water, electric, telephone, gas,
drain pipes, catch basins, poles, vaults, cables and wires, and manhole covers
are, if there are any on the property.
Check for joint
projects and properties: In some cases, a property was designed with a special
agreement to jointly maintain certain areas and improvements on the property
with your neighbour. For example, you may be required to maintain your driveway
in order to help support the neighbour, or you could be required to help with
any walls between the properties, regardless of whether you want one or not.
There are often agreements that were created and made legally binding, but if
you don’t know about these ahead of time, you can end up in a world of trouble.
Locate burial grounds
or other sacred spaces: Trying to avoid building on an ancient cemetery? Then
you’ll want to make sure you do a property survey to check for any pre-existing
sites that may be a part of the property.
Your survey may turn
up quite a few things you didn’t know about the property and when it’s
something you were considering purchasing, you need to make some decisions. After
all, if your house survey turns up some information that you aren’t impressed
with, you may prefer to cancel the sale. Some people won’t want to live on a
property that has easement, for example, while others might not want to live
near a cemetery, no matter how old it may be.
Even if you are just
planning on tearing the house down, you’ll need to do a dilapidation
survey
to determine the status of the building you will be
destroying. This is something you’ll need to do before you demolish, or rebuild
anywhere on your property. The survey will note and document with photographic
evidence all possible defects, such as cracks, settled foundations,
disintegration of bricks or cement, distortion and any other defects.
How to Find a Building Surveyor
Looking to find a good
surveyor? Your real estate agent or contractor can recommend one in most cases.
However, if you want someone who is separate from the sale of the house and is
not biased in any way, you can do a quick online search to find surveyors in
your area.
Be sure to check
online reviews of anyone you are considering for the job. You want to be sure
they are good at what they do. Ideally, the surveyor will have multiple years
of experience with inspecting homes and will be thorough in their examination
of the property.
What a Structural Engineer Does
A structural
engineer survey
is a little more in depth than the average property
survey. It will focus more specifically on the structures of the property and
will examine any potential defects. This is a good idea if you are buying land
with an older home or if you have reason to suspect structural issues.
A structural engineer
can check out the stress on the building and can identify issues that may
escape the average surveyor. It’s something that is necessary if the house is
in poor condition. Not only will the engineer notify you of any problems, they
will also let you know what the potential repairs would be. A full examination
of the home will give you plenty of issues to deal with, since no home is
perfect. However, it’s up to you to decide if you want to continue with the
many issues, or if you want to walk away.
In cases where you are
looking at purchasing a home, it’s important to get an interior survey so you
can be prepared for what awaits you. If there are significant problems that
will require spending money to fix, you may be able to get a lower price on the
property.
Do You Need Planning Permission?
Are you thinking of
adding on to your existing house or building a shed? Depending on the project,
you may be required to request planning permission, particularly if you are
going to be building a large structure or intend to cover more land than is generally
permitted.
There are a number of
rules to follow when it comes to whether or not you need planning permission,
so it’s best to consult an expert on the matter. They’ll be able to tell you if
it’s possible to add on to your house or otherwise build on the property
without permission. It’s best to find out ahead of time if you need to get
planning permission, since you may decide not to purchase a home if it’s going
to be more complicated to bring it up to your own standard of living.
There’s a lot to consider
when purchasing a property and building on it. If you already own the property,
but want to get more information on it, then having a property survey done is a
good idea. For those who are interested in building on their property, it can
be helpful to do a structural survey to determine if any issues need to be
fixed before you start to build.
Are you in need of a
structural or property survey? Contact Simon Levy today to schedule your
survey.
