Before you hire a surveyor

Four questions almost everybody asks, answered without the jargon. Written with surveyors rather than about them.

• What a Land Survey Costs, and What Moves the Price

  The things that actually change a survey quote, and why two firms can price the same job differently.

• Which Survey Do I Need?

  Boundary survey, improvement location report, ALTA. What each one is for, in plain words.

• What an ALTA/NSPS Survey Involves

  The commercial standard, Table A, and why the title company is the one asking for it.

• What Happens When the Surveyor Turns Up

  Access, marks, how long it takes, and what you get at the end.