A survey should be performed when any of the following situations arise:

• The title to land is to be transferred and the land is not clearly defined by plat, description or location on the ground.
• Land is to be divided by land contract, will, deed, court order, or desire of the owner.
• Land is to be divided improved by the construction of buildings, roads, fences, lakes, etc.
• There is a boundary dispute between you and your neighbor or you believe someone is encroaching upon your land.
• There is a reason to believe the description, plat or location of any property line or corner is incorrect.

A survey's complexity depends on several factors, such as the type of survey needed, the time required to perform the survey and the preparation of necessary plats and description. Some variables which affect the cost of a land survey are:

Terrain and accessibility

A level, open field is much easier to survey than a wooded, hilly tract of land.

Time of year

Dense vegetation in summer often restricts the line of site. Snow in winter may conceal field evidence.

Size and shape

An irregularly shaped tract of land has more corners and a longer perimeter than a square containing the same area.

Field evidence

The presence of iron rods, corner stones and other monuments in the survey area aid the surveyor, and their absence makes the survey more difficult.

Deeds

Often the legal description of the property to be surveyed or that of the neighboring properties may be too vague, incomplete, contradictory or mathematically inaccurate.