Frequently Asked Questions

When do I need a survey?
How much will a survey cost?
What services do professional surveyors provide?
What does a professional surveyor need from me?
What will I receive when the survey is complete?
How can I protect my property lines and monuments?
Cautions for landowners
Standards for Land Surveying

When do I need a survey?

  • When buying land, to protect the investment that you are about to make.
  • When selling land, to insure that you are selling just the part intended.
  • When land is not clearly defined by a plat or description.
  • Before land is divided by deed, will or court order.
  • When a lending agency (i.e. a mortgage company) requires a survey.
  • Before constructing improvements such as fences, driveways, buildings, etc., near a property line.
  • When a parcel is to be split off from or combined to another tract.
  • Before timber is to be cut near a boundary line.
  • When purchasing title insurance.
  • When a property line or corner location is unknown or in dispute.
  • When you believe someone is encroaching on your land.
  • When purchasing flood insurance.
  • How much will a survey cost?


    We should be able to give you an estimate of the total cost of a particular job as per our fee schedule for office and field work. The cost of a survey will depend on some of the following factors:

  • The type of survey.
  • Amount of personnel and equipment required.
  • The amount of deed and record research required.
  • The number of unknown corners.
  • Obstructions or additions to property such as fences and buildings.
  • The type and clarity of descriptions.
  • The size and shape of the area to be surveyed.
  • The terrain of the property and season of survey.
  • Accessibility to the property and distance from home offices in Clarksdale and Helena.
  • Disputes about property lines and/or necessity of expert testimony regarding the property.
  • Whether we have surveyed in the area prior to your job.
  • What services do professional surveyors provide?

  • We examine your deed and those of adjacent landowners and look for evidence on the ground to see if there are problems with the deeds or property lines.
  • We advise you as to whether you need a survey, and what type of survey will best fill your needs.
  • We find your property corners and mark them properly.
  • We mark and paint boundary lines.
  • We perform the following types of survey: route, boundary, subdivision, court, mortgage inspection, construction, topographic and more.
  • We locate oil and gas wells, buildings, fences, rights-of-way, easements, encroachments and other evidence of possession.
  • We advise and cooperate with your attorney, title insurance company, realtor, broker, banker, engineers or architects regarding your property or prospective property.
  • We appear in court as expert witnesses.
  • We perform work in accordance with the United States surveying laws and practices as well as state, county and municipal laws and regulations.
  • What does a professional surveyor need from a client to begin work?


    Much of the following information is gathered during an interview with a prospective client, and being prepared is the best way to have your survey completed quickly.

  • The purpose of the survey.
  • A copy of your deed, or the book and page where it is recorded in the county Chancery Clerk's office; any survey plats you might have, and information about the location of corners and property lines.
  • A brief history of ownership and past conveyances of the property.
  • Names and addresses of adjacent landowners.
  • Information about disagreements over locations of corners and lines.
  • A site visit.
  • An agreement as to who is to pay for the survey and when, as well as a deadline for when the survey should be complete.
  • A copy of all the title examination notes, if available.
  • What will I receive when the survey is complete?

  • Survey plat(s) (drawings and maps) suitable for recording, showing all necessary information in accordance with state laws.
  • A property description, if necessary.
  • A surveyor's inspection report or other required and agreed-upon documents (elevation certificates, etc.).
  • What can I do to protect my property lines and monuments?

  • Inspect your property lines occasionally.
  • Repaint monuments, marked trees, or other markers frequently or as necessary.
  • Maintain and protect your survey plats and other related documents (we advise keeping a copy and storing your originals in a safety deposit box or in a similarly secure and fireproof location).
  • Cautions for landowners

  • Do not mistake preliminary traverse lines for true property lines.
  • Do not move or relocate monuments; to do so is a violation of the law in many states.
  • Select only a registered Professional Land Surveyor to do your surveying work; a surveyor who is not registered in the state where the property lies cannot legally conduct a survey.
  • Contact and engage the services of a Professional Land Surveyor well before the survey is necessary.
  • Minimum Standards for Land Surveying in the State of Mississippi

  • Class A Surveys: Surveys of extensively developed and expansive properties which require maximum surveying accuracy.
  • Class B Surveys: Surveys of properties which are subject to costly improvements and justify a high degree of surveying accuracy.
  • Class C Surveys: Surveys of residential and surrounding areas which are apt to increase rapidly in value.
  • Class D Surveys: Surveys of all remaining properties which cannot be classified as Class A, B or C surveys. This includes surveys of farmlands and rural areas.