Types of Land Surveys
Griffin Land Surveying provides land surveying services for residential and commercial properties in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The right survey depends on your plans: locating a boundary, designing improvements, dividing land or meeting a lender’s requirements each calls for different information.
The services below explain what each survey is used for and what to discuss when requesting an estimate. If you are unsure where to begin, see when you may need a land survey or tell us about your project.
Boundary surveys
A boundary survey locates a property’s corners and boundary lines through records research, field measurements and evaluation of survey evidence. The surveyor reviews relevant deeds, recorded surveys and plats, and compares them with evidence found on the property.
This service can help when planning a fence, investigating a boundary concern or understanding a parcel before improvements. Discuss which corners need to be located or marked, any features you want shown, and the map and filing requirements that apply to your project.
Topographic surveys
A topographic survey maps elevations and site features to support design and planning. Architects and engineers may use it when preparing plans for a building, drainage improvements or site development.
The agreed scope may include contours, spot elevations, buildings, sidewalks, trees, streams and visible utility features. Tell us what your designer needs, including the survey limits, elevation reference and digital file format. If boundary or easement information is needed, include those requirements and provide available title documents.
Partition and subdivision surveys
These surveys support the division of a larger tract into smaller parcels or lots. Survey work can include boundary research, field measurements, corner monumentation and preparation of a plat showing the proposed parcels, survey data, easements and other required information.
Coordinate early with the appropriate city or county planning department. The survey scope and final documents need to fit the proposed land division and the applicable review process.
Condominium plats
A condominium plat documents the location and dimensions of units and common elements in relation to the property. Horizontal and vertical measurements help define the spaces represented on the plat. Share the building plans and project requirements so the survey work can be coordinated with the other condominium documents.
Property line adjustment surveys
A property line adjustment changes a shared boundary between existing parcels without creating an additional parcel. The work may include a boundary survey, new legal descriptions and a map documenting the adjusted line. Discuss the proposed change with the surveyor and local planning department before proceeding.
ALTA/NSPS land title surveys
An ALTA/NSPS land title survey supplies survey information for commercial property transactions and other projects with title or lender requirements. It combines records research and fieldwork to show boundaries and relevant site and title matters under the applicable ALTA/NSPS survey standards.
Provide the current title commitment or report, referenced documents and any requested Table A optional items when seeking a proposal. Confirm the required detail with your lender and title company. Utility information and other special requirements should be defined in the scope; a survey should not be assumed to locate every underground utility.
FEMA elevation certificates
An elevation certificate documents building elevation information used for floodplain management and flood insurance purposes. It may help an insurance agent evaluate available rating information or discounts, but a lower premium is not guaranteed. Ask your local floodplain administrator or insurance agent what is needed for your property, and review FEMA’s elevation certificate guidance.
Construction staking
Construction staking transfers locations and elevations from project plans to temporary markers on the site. Contractors use these references to position planned improvements such as buildings, roads and pipelines. Share the current plans, construction schedule and required staking stages so the fieldwork can be coordinated with the project.
Monitoring surveys
Monitoring surveys use repeated measurements of selected points to document horizontal or vertical movement over time. The project scope establishes the points to observe, measurement intervals and reporting needs.
Request a survey for your project
Call or contact Griffin Land Surveying. Reach us at 971-235-0012. Include the property address, your contact details, project goals and any written survey requirements. Our survey cost guide explains the factors that affect an estimate.