If it is your first time trying to decipher a land survey map, you may find that it is more difficult than you expected. In addition, each land surveying project is done slightly differently than the next project. That can make for small inconsistencies that are hard to understand. However, as daunting as it may seem, it is not impossible. Today we will walk you through the basics of understanding a land survey.
Step One – Open the Entire Map
You want to find a surface where you can open up the entire survey to look at. If you cannot find a surface like this, it can make it harder to read. You may see things in one area that are important elsewhere, so having a proper space to place the survey map is critical.
Step Two – Look for a Seal
Next, you want to look over the document to find a county or state seal. If you see there is not one, the map may be unofficial or preliminary. This can still be an excellent document to determine essential features about a property and its estimated boundaries. However, it has not been through verification by a recorder. That means it may not be entirely accurate.
Step Three – Find Indicators and Map Key
Find the directional indicator in order to orient the map with north pointing up correctly. After that, locate the map key. It is most often found in the corner of the land surveying map. The key will have symbols for information like roads, water, elevation, boundaries, and distance.
Step Four – Break Out the Ruler
Your next step will be to determine the scale for distance. Many land surveying maps do not include a grid, so this is an essential step. A ruler can make up for it by offering you the ability to measure distances accurately.
Step Five – Identify Landmarks
Look for landmarks on the map that you can use to orient yourself. Sometimes it can be difficult to understand the map if you do not do so. There may or may not be boundaries marked on the survey, depending on the company who did the survey and when it was completed.
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