A land survey costs between $800 and $5,500 for most homeowners. Your land survey pro will consider factors like property size and terrain when determining your total cost.
Land surveys cost an average of $2,300, but you can pay anywhere between $475 and $25,000, depending on the size of your property, the type of survey, and the availability of property records. A land survey is a necessary step to determine your property’s boundaries, settle a property dispute, or build new construction. Learn what factors affect the cost of a land survey and what different types of surveys involve.
Not every land parcel is priced the same. Surveyors base their fees on various factors covering everything from land characteristics to the availability of records.
The size of your property plays a big role in survey cost. Property that’s less than an acre can cost as little as $1,000 or less, while a one-acre survey will start at $1,500 or more, depending on the complexity of the survey and the terrain. Like most things, buying in bulk can help lower your rate. In most cases, the larger the property, the lower the price per acre. In both cases, the wide price range comes down to the size and terrain of the property.
| Property Size (acres) | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,500–$3,500 |
| 5 | $2,500–$4,400 |
| 10 | $3,600–$6,500 |
| 25 | $5,500–$12,000 |
| 50 | $10,000–$25,000 |
Land surveyors charge an average of $220 to $450 per hour, depending on the size of the work crew and the scope of the survey. Some surveys can be completed with one or two surveyors, while larger projects may require more people to complete the task. Research to obtain property records averages $85 to $160 per hour.
Smooth, pasture-like terrain without trees, hills, or obstructions tends to cost less to survey than wooded, hilly, or complex terrain. Generally, flat land is less expensive to survey than mountainous land.
Some surveyors may charge more when the weather creates challenging conditions. Foliage can make it difficult to make survey measurements accurately. In addition, snow and ice can also conceal critical pieces of evidence needed for a survey and cause slippery conditions for the surveyor.
There are different types of land surveys that differ based on the reason you need one. This reasoning can impact its price. Surveyors will charge more when additional land information beyond the standard for establishing property lines needs to be collected.
| Type of Survey | Costs |
|---|---|
| Boundary Survey | $1,200–$5,500 |
| Topographic Survey | $2,000–$6,500 |
| Mortgage Survey | $1,500–$4,500 |
| Fence Land Survey | $1,000–$3,200 |
| As-Built Survey | $1,600–$3,800 |
| ALTA Survey | $2,500–$10,000 |
| New Construction Survey | $1,800–$6,500 |
Surveyors rely on public information to complete land surveys. If they cannot locate deed records easily, they may need to charge extra for the investigative work required to track down documents. Most surveyors charge extra for any investigative work they can’t do online. However, customers can drive to the appropriate county offices to obtain records to avoid the additional charges.
Surveyors will charge more for rush jobs with tight deadlines. Last-minute requests are not the norm in this industry. Each surveying job requires a fair amount of preparation, planning, and scheduling to deliver accurate results.
A land survey requiring a deep dive into historical, topographical, or resource-based research can significantly add to the final cost. The charge is often lower when records can be accessed online without leaving the office. Surveyors sometimes need to visit records offices in person to access land deeds. Searching through county-specific filing systems requires time and effort that surveyors will likely bill you for. In fact, some surveying companies employ research assistants to handle this role.
Surveyors often charge for any travel time clocked because they are paying their employees from the second they deploy to a site. Costs incurred often cover traveling to your property, obtaining records, or meeting with other land specialists for additional support regarding a complicated property. In some cases, mileage rates may only kick in if a surveyor's office is far from the property you're surveying.
Surveyors may charge extra for any special maps or documentation you request. If you need your surveyor to present their findings to a zoning commission, local board, seller, buyer, or legal team on your behalf, they may charge you an hourly consulting rate for their expertise.
A boundary adjustment is a legal process that involves altering the existing boundaries between two properties. It requires an application and the filing of survey results for approval by the municipality. Boundary adjustments will incur extra costs since both properties need to be surveyed, and the surveyor will need to provide a map or other documentation to file with the municipality.
Where you live can impact the cost of a land survey. For instance, they often cost less in rural areas and become more expensive in metropolitan areas.
| Location | Average Survey Cost |
|---|---|
| New York | $1,400–$6,000 |
| Texas | $1,100–$4,200 |
| California | $1,200–$5,600 |
| Ohio | $900–$3,800 |
| Colorado | $1,200–$5,600 |
| Florida | $800–$3,600 |
Not all land surveys are the same, as there are many types available depending on what you are using the survey for and where you live. Additionally, each of the below survey types boasts a unique cost range.
When buying a home or breaking ground on new construction, a boundary survey is your most basic service, ranging from $1,200 to $5,500. Use this survey to confirm your home's value or ensure you're not building a fence across your neighbor's garden.
Do you live on a patch of countryside peppered with trickling streams, rolling hills, and old oak trees? A topographic survey instead of a boundary survey will help you start your landscape plan. Budget an additional $2,000 to $6,500 on top of your landscape architect costs.
Like a boundary survey, the mortgage appraisal ensures you know exactly what you're paying for. Most pros charge an average of $1,500 to $4,500 for this essential service as part of the mortgage financing process.
Let's say you're dreaming of a fenced-in backyard where you can let the dog run without worry. You'll need a land survey that costs between $1,000 and $3,200 to make sure you're staying on your side of the property line.
If you're embarking on a large home or landscape construction project, an as-built survey confirms how the build was completed as compared to the plans. This 3D survey costs between $1,600 and $3,800.
Since new construction is such a big project, surveys for new construction are compiled using different surveys, including boundary, staking, and topographical. New construction surveys cost between $1,800 and $6,500. They tend to fall on the more expensive end, given all the work they entail, and you may need this kind of survey for a plot plan of your entire property.
ALTA stands for American Land Title Association, and the ALTA survey is performed to their specific standards. ALTA surveys are some of the most comprehensive and take time. Often, commercial property buyers or homebuyers or sellers who need a survey to deal with a title dispute will have ALTA surveys done. On average, they cost from $2,500 to $10,000.
Because you need to be licensed to do a land survey, there’s no option to DIY rather than hire a pro. However, when hiring a land surveyor, you can do your due diligence by checking their references, credentials, and reviews and familiarizing yourself with the most important questions to ask a land surveyor. It’s worth browsing land surveying options near you to find the best pro for the job of all those available.
Homeowners often obtain land surveys as part of a larger design or construction plan. Here are some common add-ons once you’ve had your land surveyed:
Building a fence: Installing a fence costs an average of $8–$50 per linear foot.
Building a stone wall: Constructing a stone wall costs $2,250–$7,800 on average.
Adding a shed: Building a shed costs between $350 and $4,000 for pre-fab options.
Landscape design: Hiring a landscape designer averages between $2,000 and $7,000.
While land surveys can come with a hefty price tag, there are some ways you can cut down on the total cost.
Plan ahead. By budgeting for other aspects of property ownership, like the cost to clear land or land development costs, you’ll have a better idea of what to look for regarding a land surveyor’s fees.
Know the type of survey you need. To reduce the chance of paying more for a type of survey that isn’t necessary, make sure you know the exact type you need before you start.
See if you can get a referral. Sometimes, if you’re working with a realtor or other contractors, you can get a discount when they refer you to a land surveyor.
Pick the right season. If your timeline is flexible, ask land surveyors what time of the year is less busy (and often less expensive) to cut costs.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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You can search for local land surveyors online and then call and ask for estimates. You can also check their reviews online or ask for references. Before hiring a land surveyor, ask them to provide their license and insurance information before working on your property.
Land survey reports have a boatload of information relevant to several scenarios. Here are the types of information contained with a survey, though it depends on your chosen type of land survey.
Exact boundaries and dimensions of a given property
General topography, including both natural and artificial landmarks
Location of utility fixtures, like water mains
Confirmation of any easements or encroachments on a piece of property
Assessment of land elevation to buy flood insurance
Updated information to add to a pre-existing property map
To prepare for a land survey, you must thoroughly check your land surveyor’s qualifications, reviews, and fees to align with your expectations. When it is time for the survey to be conducted, ensure that you have all your documents organized and available, know and mark your property lines, and inform your neighbors that the survey is happening.
Mistakes happen, even with reputable survey companies. If they gave you an inaccurate survey, the mortgage lender might call attention to it before you finalize a property purchase, muddying up the waters for border disputes later. It may also force you or neighbors to move a fence or some other indicator of a property line without just cause. In other words, don’t just take your company’s word for it. Double-check any survey with the original company and with an inspector.
