Question 1. Why Would I Need A Land Survey?
Answer :
To find out the boundaries, or features of
your land. To build, to develop, to satisfy local code or building
requirements. To find out whether you have encroachments on your land or not.
To find out where the land is that you own. Hopefully, you are not like many
that are needing a Land Survey because they "have to". This would be
the case if they are disputing something with a neighbor, because one or both
of them had gone on with building, developing, landscaping, fencing or using
the land without knowing where the common boundary line is.
Question 2. What Different Types Of Surveys
Are There?
Answer :
Lot Survey: This is a survey of a lot in a
recorded subdivision. Corners should be marked in accordance with existing
state standards, and the owner receives a drawing depicting what comers were
set and what comers were found.
Boundary Survey: These surveys are normally
described by Metes and Bounds and may require extensive research of adjoining
deeds, original government surveys, highway plans, etc. A Boundary Survey
usually requires field work on neighboring lands to verify or find existing
monumentation. Because many deeds were prepared in an office and not actually
surveyed, and others are just poorly written, it may require extra research and
field work to determine the property lines. The comers should be marked in
accordance with existing state standards, and the owner receives a drawing
depicting what comers were set and what comers were found, and the relationship
between deed lines and lines of possession.
Subdivision Survey: This type of survey
divides existing parcels into smaller parcels. These types of surveys are required to be recorded at the
county recorder's office and must also meet all requirements of government
agencies. State standards require a minimum of two permanent monuments per
block.
Topographic Survey: Although these are
generally performed by a Land Surveyor, other professionals, such as Engineers
and Architects may also complete them. These types of surveys are graphic
representations of physical features of the land depicting natural and man-made
features, such as fences, buildings, utilities, hills, valleys streams, lakes,
roads, etc. They can be performed by field ground methods or by aerial
photographic methods. The preciseness of this type of survey depends on what it
is to be used for. These surveys should be completed in conjunction with a
''Boundary Survey'' (which can only be performed by a Professional Land
Surveyor) to show lines of possession.
Plot Plan or Site Plan:This type of survey
may be required by local authorities or you may require it to insure that a
proposed house or structure is constructed in the proper location and not over
an easement or building set back line. A drawing may be required showing the
proposed building location.
Surveyors Real Property Report: This is a
report on the location of improvements and a cursory check for encroachments
onto or from the subject property based on existing evide.
Question 3. What Can A Surveyor Do For Me?
Answer :
A person generally has occasion to employ a
Land Surveyor only once or twice in a lifetime. Since such employment is so
infrequent, the average person is not always aware of the logical steps to be
followed in selecting a land surveyor. To help in making such a selection, the
answers to a few common questions are noted below. Surveys are required by law
if you plan to partition or subdivide your property or to adjust your property
lines. A survey is also desirable and advisable before purchasing real estate,
and is frequently recommended by legal counsel or by mortgage loan companies.
Remember, using the services of a Land Surveyor now could cost much less in
time, worry, and money than the cost of moving a fence, or a building, or
defending a lawsuit at a later date.
Question 4. What If I Disagree With The
Surveyor?
Answer :
Surveyors work with the best information
available. They utilize recorded survey and deed data information together with
physical evidence found on the ground. From this data, in conjunction with the
Oregon Revised Statutes and other laws concerning land surveying, they make
their conclusions. Any land survey is only as good as the information from
which the conclusions are drawn.
Surveyors put their professional reputation
and license on the line every time they determine a boundary location. It is in
a surveyor's interest to observe the survey laws and to make the most accurate
boundary determination possible. They have no reason to deliberately locate a
boundary line incorrectly. Occasionally, however, a surveyor can overlook an
important piece of evidence that might change the boundary opinion in question.
If you believe this to be the case, then it is your option to discuss the
evidence in question directly with the surveyor.
It is insufficient to disagree with a
boundary line determined by a licensed surveyor without any legal evidence. You
must show legal evidence in order to refute a surveyor's findings.
If after discussing the problem with the
surveyor you still feel it has not been resolved to your satisfaction, there
are other avenues that may be pursued. You can hire a land surveyor of your own
choice to perform a separate boundary survey. The second surveyor may find a
sufficiently different result or have a different boundary opinion.
When a situation disclosing a conflict in a
property boundary occurs, you must then decide what solution options you are
willing to consider. Often, you may have to weigh the value of the land in
question or the value of proving a point against the potential cost of what it
might take to acquire written title. If you have not already done so at this
point, you should contact an attorney for advice.
The first solution if a conflict has
occurred is to try to have the surveyors meet and mediate resolution. Other
methods for solving a boundary problem also involve the cooperation of both
parties in the dispute. A property line agreement or adjustment survey may be
performed, with applicable deed recordings and survey map filings. A description
may be written on the property or on a portion of the property, and recorded as
an easement for a specific purpose to a specific party. Alternatively, you may
choose to allow present ownership conditions to continue as is. If you choose
to maintain the status quo, you may run the risk of being subjected in the
future to acquiescence or adverse possession activity, either in your favor or
contrary to your interests.
The last choice for a solution is having
the case heard before a court of law. The court process is often the most
expensive, but may be the only solution if the problem can't be resolved by
other means.
Written title to property acquired by
unwritten means (acquiescence or adverse possession) can only be attained
through recording a mutually signed document or through court proceedings. For
that reason, allowing present ownership conditions to continue as is in the
hopes that a problem will resolve itself will not resolve the ownership
problem.
An accurate boundary survey, in which
boundary lines are identified by a licensed surveyor and are legally defensible
(and in which all necessary legal elements have been observed), is usually an
effective means by which to resolve common boundary conflicts without burdening
the property with additional legal encumbrances.
If the licensed surveyor's ethics or
professional conduct are in question, a complaint may be filed with the
licensing agency, the Oregon State Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land
Surveying (OSBEELS), located in Salem. Please note, however, that OSBEELS
historically will not deal with contract issues or with business matters.
In Clackamas County for cases involving
Public Land Corners such as Section Corner(s), Quarter Section Corner(s) and
Donation Land Claim Corner(s) the County Surveyor should be involved. The
County Surveyor in most counties have a program called The Public Land Corner
Preservation Fund that may be able to find, restore and/or replace corners set
by the Government Land Office beginning in the early 1850's.
Question 5. Will The Surveyor Show Me What
I Own?
Answer :
Surveyors do not prove ownership, but he/she
will give you their professional opinion of what the records and facts indicate
your ownership to be. This opinion is satisfactory under most normal
circumstances. Only a court of law can determine ownership more decisively than
a qualified Land Surveyor.
Question 6. Can The Surveyor Aid In
Subdividing My Land?
Answer :
A Land Surveyor is the only one qualified
to prepare a plat for a proposed division of land. The Land Surveyor may
prepare an individual description or, if lots/parcels are being created, the
surveyor may prepare a legal plat with lot or parcel numbers for recording.
Platting rules differ slightly with each county or city. A qualified surveyor
would be familiar with local rules and procedures.
Question 7. Can The Surveyor Design Public
Improvement Systems For My Subdivision?
Answer :
The surveyor will recommend an engineer to
design streets, water supply system and sewer systems and to perform other
engineering services that might be required. The Professional Land Surveyor
will not attempt any aspects of engineering design which he/she is not
qualified to perform.
Question 8. Can A Land Surveyor Perform
Engineering Surveys?
Answer :
Land surveyors conduct most engineering
surveys. They are knowledgeable and equipped to prepare topographic surveys, to
supply control for aerial photography, to layout construction projects, to
survey right of way for power lines and roadways, and so forth.
Question 9. Can A Surveyor From An
Adjoining State Perform A Survey In Oregon?
Answer :
Not under normal circumstances. The obvious
exception is if the surveyor from another state also possesses a license from
the State of Oregon.
Question 10. Can An Engineer Do A Land
Survey?
Answer :
An engineer cannot perform survey work
unless he/she is also a licensed Professional Land Surveyor.
Question 11. Can A Contractor Do Land
Survey Work?
Answer :
A contractor cannot perform land survey
work unless he/she is also a licensed Professional Land Surveyor. Also, beware
of survey technicians who may be skilled in only some aspects of surveying and
are not licensed as Land Surveyors.
Question 12. Who Can Legally Perform A Land
Survey?
Answer :
In the State of Oregon only a Professional
Land Surveyor (PLS) can legally assume the responsibility for a land survey.
The Professional Land Surveyor is an individual whose highly specialized
background, training and skills have been rigorously examined, and who has been
licensed by the State of Oregon to practice land surveying.
Question 13. How Do I Locate A Land Survey
Professional?
Answer :
Most survey work is acquired through the
personal recommendations of satisfied clients, or through attorneys, real
estate companies, and title companies who frequently handle real estate
transactions. If it is difficult to obtain a recommendation, probably the most
direct way would be to check the listings under "Surveyors - Land" in
the classified section of the telephone directory. According to Oregon law,
only licensed practitioners can advertise themselves as Land Surveyors. While
the County Surveyor's Office cannot make recommendations, they may be able to
provide you with the names of surveyors who have worked in your specific area
in the past. Surveyors should be able to provide you with references for their
previous work.
Question 14. Is A Written Contract
Required?
Answer :
Traditionally, contracts for surveys have
been by oral agreement. Many surveys have been requested over the phone.
However, in recent years it is becoming more common for the client to visit the
Land Surveyor's office, discuss requirements of the survey, and enter into a
written contract (which tends to assure a better understanding between the
client and the Land Surveyor). A good contract contains a clear understanding
of services to be provided, costs, time lines, and extra work contingencies. A
good contract protects both the client and the surveyor.
Question 15. Can I Determine In Advance
What The Charge Will Be?
Answer :
In most cases it will not be possible to
get more than an estimate, because many of the factors involved in the survey
are indeterminable early in the process. Final cost is dependent upon the time
required to perform research to obtain the necessary information of record, to
perform preliminary fieldwork, to perform the required office computations, and
to monument your lines on the ground. Most surveyors will prepare an estimate
based on their experience in estimating hours of work (times their hourly fee
schedules) which can be used as a basis for a written contract.
Question 16. Should I Employ A Surveyor On
The Basis Of Price?
Answer :
Not necessarily. Competency, service and
responsibility are of first importance. Since low cost and high quality are
often inconsistent, and judging the amount of work necessary to produce a
quality survey may be difficult before the project begins, it is probably
unreasonable to expect your surveyor to "bid" on a project, then
stick to the bid price.
Question 17. What Information Should I
Furnish The Surveyor?
Answer :
Furnish the Land Surveyor with an
explanation of why the survey is desired (if requested, he/she will maintain
confidentiality). With the client's purpose in mind, the Professional Land
Surveyor can work more efficiently and thus reduce costs. If you have a deed or
mortgage description, aerial photograph of the land, or an abstract, give a
copy to the Land Surveyor. In addition, if you have knowledge of a stone,
wooden stake, iron rod or pipe, etc. which was reported to you as a property
corner, pass that information along to the Land Surveyor. He/she will make the
professional judgement as to which evidence should be used.
Question 18. What Will The Land Surveyor
Furnish Me?
Answer :
The Land Surveyor's final product will vary
with each survey (depending upon the reason for the survey), but generally you
will be furnished with a copy of a signed and stamped plat or map showing what
the Land Surveyor has done, showing the corners monumented or otherwise
identified. A narrative on the map will describe why and how the survey was
performed. Since 1947, Oregon law has required that all surveys performed by
licensed surveyors (in which a property corner is set) be filed with the County
Surveyor. Your survey should be on file and copies available to the public if
it was performed after 1947.
Question 19. What If My Survey Discloses
Deed Overlaps, Encroachments Or Other Problems?
Answer :
It is not uncommon to discover during the
survey process that there are existing fence or building encroachments or other
problems. There are many methods of resolving property line disputes, the most
expensive of which is resolution before a court of law. More congenial
resolutions require the cooperation of both parties; creation of an easement,
adjustment of a property line, even maintaining the status quo are among the
options to be considered. Your surveyor and your attorney can help you
determine the best option for resolving property conflicts.
Question 20. What Does Your Office Charge
To Survey My Property?
Answer :
The County of El Dorado Surveyor’s Office
does not survey private property. You will need to contact a Professional Land
Surveyor (or Civil Engineer Registered prior to 1982) licensed by the State
Board of Registration. Most Land Surveyors in private practice are listed in
the local Yellow Pages or click on the following lists.
Question 21. How Can I Tell If My Property
Has Ever Had Monuments Set?
Answer :
Lots in Subdivisions and parcels of Parcel
Maps are usually monumented by the Professional Land Surveyor at the time the
division occurred. If you have a metes and bounds description (The division
occurred by a deed rather than a map) you need to read the deed to see if
monuments are called for in the description.
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Question 1. What Is Surveying?
Answer :
The profession or work for examining and
recording the area and features of a piece of land so as to construct a map, a plan,
or a detailed description of it.
Question 2. What Is A Surveyor?
Answer :
Surveyors update boundary lines and prepare
sites for construction so that legal disputes are prevented. Surveyors verify
and make precise measurements of horizontal & vertical controls to
determine property boundaries. They provide relevant data with regards to the
shape and contour of the Earth's surface for engineering, map making, and
construction projects.
Question 3. What Is A Property Surveyor?
Answer :
It is important, therefore, that you employ
a surveyor yourself to undertake a thorough inspection of the property you wish
to buy. The types of surveys available. There are two main types of structural
survey available for those buying a property: a Homebuyer's Report or a Full
Building Survey.
Question 4. What Is A Marine Surveyor?
Answer :
A Marine surveyor (including "Yacht
& Small Craft Surveyor", "Hull & Machinery Surveyor"
and/or "Cargo Surveyor") is a person who conducts inspections,
surveys or examinations of marine vessels to assess, monitor and report on
their condition and the products on them, as well as inspects damage caused to
both vessels .
Question 5. What Is An Automatic Level?
Answer :
A dumpy level, builder's auto level,
leveling instrument, or automatic level is an optical instrument used to
establish or verify points in the same horizontal plane. It is used in
surveying and building with a vertical staff to measure height differences and
to transfer, measure and set heights.
Question 6. What Is The Use Of Dumpy Level?
Answer :
A dumpy level is a surveying tool that
measures horizontal lines. It is used to determine relative height and distance
among different locations. In modern times, it is most commonly used to obtain
measurements for buildings rather than to gather information on large tracts of
land.
Question 7. What Does It Mean To Survey A
Boat?
Answer :
Basically, it is a detailed inspection of a
boat, hopefully done by a qualified, diligent, intelligent and honest surveyor,
for the purpose of determining its current condition and seaworthiness.
Question 8. What Is A Chartered Quantity
Surveyor?
Answer :
Members and Fellows of the RICS entitled to
use the designation (and a number of variations such as "Chartered
Building Surveyor" or "Chartered Quantity Surveyor" or
"Chartered Civil Engineering Surveyor" depending on their field .
Question 9. What Is A Level Staff?
Answer :
A level staff, also called levelling rod,
is a graduated wooden or aluminum rod, used with a levelling instrument to
determine the difference in height between points or heights of points above a
datum surface.
Question 10. What Is A Transit Tool?
Answer :
A transit level is an optical instrument,
or a telescope, complete with a built-in spirit level that is mounted on a
tripod. Transit levels are used mainly for surveying and building, but they can
be used to determine the relative position of lines and objects as well.
Question 11. What Is An Abney Level Used
For?
Answer :
An Abney level and clinometer, is an
instrument used in surveying which consists of a fixed sighting tube, a movable
spirit level that is connected to a pointing arm, and a protractor scale.
Question 12. What Is A Total Station?
Answer :
A Total Station is a modern surveying
instrument that integrates an electronic theodolite with an electronic distance
meter. A theodolite uses a movable telescope to measure angles in both the
horizontal and vertical planes.
Question 13. What Is Meant By Hydrographic
Survey?
Answer :
Hydrographic survey is the science of
measurement and description of features which affect maritime navigation, marine
construction, dredging, offshore oil exploration/offshore oil drilling and
related activities.
Question 14. How Long Does It Take To
Become A Chartered Surveyor?
Answer :
Most states require a degree along with an
internship, to become a professional land surveyor. Most degrees are a four
year college degree in surveying or geomatics or a 2 year associate degree.
After college you then have to become licensed in whichever state you want to
practice surveying in.
Question 15. How Does A Theodolite Work?
Answer :
A theodolite works by combining optical
plummets (or plumb bobs), a spirit (bubble level), and graduated circles to
find vertical and horizontal angles in surveying. An optical plummet ensures
the theodolite is placed as close to exactly vertical above the survey point.
Question 16. What Is A Surveyor's Transit?
Answer :
A vernier compass has an adjustable scale
that allows for the "setting off" of the magnetic declination and the
compass can then directly read true north. The Transit and Theodolite. Transit.
Theodolite. The transit and theodolite are used by the surveyor to measure both
horizontal and vertical angles.
Question 17. What Is An Optical Square?
Answer :
An optical square is a square refracting
block which refracts an incident beam at an angle of 90 degrees.It can be used
with an autocollimator for measuring squareness of a workpiece.
Question 18. What Is An Edm In Surveying?
Answer :
A total station or TST (total station
theodolite) is an electronic/optical instrument used in modern surveying and
building construction. The total station is an electronic theodolite (transit)
integrated with an electronic distance meter (EDM) to read slope distances from
the instrument to a particular point.
Question 19. What Is A Digital Theodolite
Used For?
Answer :
In addition to measuring horizontal and
vertical angles, digital theodolite are used to establish straight lines, to
establish horizontal and vertical distances through the use of stadia, and to
establish elevations when used as a level.
Question 20. What Is A Bathymetric Survey?
Answer :
Bathymetry is the study of the
"beds" or "floors" of water bodies, including the ocean, rivers,
streams, and lakes. The term "bathymetry" originally referred to the
ocean's depth relative to sea level, although it has come to mean “submarine
topography,” or the depths and shapes of underwater terrain.
Question 21. What Is An Intermediate
Survey?
Answer :
Intermediate Survey—The inspection of a
vessel by a classification society surveyor which takes place between two and
three years before and after each Special Survey for such vessel pursuant to
the rules of international conventions and classification societies.
Question 22. What Is The Rics?
Answer :
The Royal Institution of Chartered
Surveyors (RICS) is a professional body that accredits professionals within the
land, property and construction sectors worldwide. Members holding RICS
qualifications may use the following designations after their name: MRICS
(Member), FRICS (Fellow), AssocRICS (Associate).
Question 23. What Is The Apc?
Answer :
The APC – assessment of professional
competence – is the training scheme that graduates need to complete on the job
to qualify as a chartered surveyor. Becoming chartered with the Royal
Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is a key milestone in a surveyor's
professional development.
Question 24. What Is A Graphometer?
Answer :
The graphometer, semicircle or
semicircumferentor is a surveying instrument used for angle measurements. It
consists of a semicircular limb divided into 180 degrees and sometimes
subdivided into minutes. The limb is subtended by the diameter with two sights
at its ends.
Question 25. What Is The Basic Principle Of
Chain Surveying?
Answer :
Chain surveying is the type of surveying in
which only linear measurements are made in the field. The main principle of
chain surveying or chain triangulation is to provide a framework consist of
number of well-conditioned triangles or nearly equilateral triangles. It is
used to find the area of the field.
Question 26. What Is The Chain Survey?
Answer :
Chain survey is the simplest method of
surveying. In this survey only measurements are taken in the field, and the
rest work, such as plotting calculation etc. are done in the office. This is
most suitable adapted to small plane areas with very few details.
Question 27. What Is The Tool Surveyors
Use?
Answer :
The main surveying instruments in use
around the world are the theodolite, measuring tape, total station, 3D
scanners, GPS/GNSS, level and rod. Most instruments screw onto a tripod when in
use. Tape measures are often used for measurement of smaller distances.
Question 28. What Is A Chartered Surveyor?
Answer :
Chartered surveyors in the core of the
profession may offer mortgage valuations, homebuyer's survey and valuations,
full building surveys, building surveyors' services, quantity surveying, land
surveying, auctioneering, estate management and other forms of survey- and
building-related advice.
Question 29. What Is The Purpose Of
Hydrographic Surveying?
Answer :
Hydrographic survey is the science of
measurement and description of features which affect maritime navigation,
marine construction, dredging, offshore oil exploration/offshore oil drilling
and related activities.
Question 30. What Is A Tacheometer?
Answer :
Tacheometry, from the Greek "quick
measure", is a system of rapid surveying, by which the positions, both
horizontal and vertical, of points on the earth's surface relatively to one
another are determined without using a chain or tape or a separate leveling
instrument.
Personal Related Question
1. As a surveyor, what are your primary job
tasks?
If you are a land surveyor, you would
answer that your primary job tasks include ascertaining the measurements of
various properties for the purpose of buying and selling land. You may also
have to measure boundary line limits for mining or gold claims, as well as
locating roads, utilities or buildings for developers.
As a
building surveyor, you can answer that you have worked on the design and
development of new buildings in various fields (commercial, residential,
industrial, leisure or agriculture). This field is expansive, so be sure to
pick specific job responsibilities that you have.
2. Why did you become a surveyor?
This question should have a more personal
response, such as you have always enjoyed working outdoors and like the
benefits of being a land surveyor where you can be outside often. Maybe you
enjoy construction and find it fulfilling to work as a building surveyor where
you have input on the design and maintenance of buildings.
3. Do you enjoy working outdoors?
A hiring manager might ask this question,
especially for a land surveyor position, where you will spend a good amount of
time working outside. If you are not well-suited to the outdoor working
environment, you won’t be compatible with the position.
4. Are there any areas of surveying that
challenge you?
You need to answer this question honestly.
But, always make an effort to assure the hiring manager that you work well in
challenging environments and see challenges as opportunities for growth.
5. During your apprenticeship period, what
was the most important thing you learned?
Responding to this question provides you
with the perfect opportunity to shine as a surveyor. For example, you can say
that you worked with an excellent mentor during the training program and
learned discipline and how to perfect your trade.
6. Do you have good organizational skills?
Being organised as a land or building
surveyor is important. You have to deal with paperwork, surveying properties
and buildings, organising and managing those surveys and keeping every job site
appointment that is scheduled. It is important to demonstrate your excellent
organisational skills so that the hiring manager will note your compatibility
for the job.
7. How are your administrative skills?
This question may be asked in conjunction
with the previous one about your organisational skills. The hiring manager is
basically trying to ascertain if you will be able to handle paperwork and all
that entails with regard to surveying documents. As this is one of the skill
sets that you need to excel in, be sure to construct a response that
demonstrates your excellence in administration.
8. Have you made any mistakes while
surveying?
It may seem like a catch 22 situation,
where neither possible response is good. If you say you’ve never made any
mistakes you may appear to be disingenuous and that you’re lying in your
answer. And If you say that you made some mistakes, you run the risk of
appearing incapable of doing your job.
But it is possible to answer this question
correctly. The trick is to be honest. But, always temper your response with a
professional attitude that demonstrates your willingness to take responsibility
and to learn from your mistakes.
9. What steps have you taken to improve as
a surveyor?
The interviewer may ask this question to
ascertain whether or not you have the drive to succeed and continually develop
as a professional in your field. You should respond that you have taken steps
(state some specific ones) to improve in your profession. For example, you
might respond that you worked with your supervisor to receive constructive
criticism regarding your surveying projects and how you could improve your work
performance.
10. Have you taken any steps to become more
qualified in your profession?
This question may be grouped with the
previous one, as they both seek to ascertain whether or not you will be a
stable employee and if you have the perseverance to continue in this career.
If
you have taken extra educational courses or belong to professional surveying
organisations where you have access to training resources, be sure to mention
these facts. Anything you can say to demonstrate your ability as a professional
in this field will increase your chances of impressing the hiring manager.
x. In laying out a construction plan, what
are the things you need to established
Thanks to: Mr. Munisawmy ( Samsung)
Mr. Anto Arun ( Samsung)
Mr. Babu Annamalai ( Samsung)
Prepared by M.Ajmal Khan.
