A land surveyor is one who using a combination of experience and education comprehends and define the characteristics of land. Who is authorized to perform and represent a physical retracing of the legal history of that piece of land. A land surveyor is a design expert who is licensed by the State of New York. A New York licensed land surveyor can use applied mathematics and various technical and research abilities to measure and plot: the measurements of any part of the Earth’s surface, natural and artificial structures, the directions and lengths of boundary lines, and the curve of the Earth’s surface as well. It is important to note that only licensed land surveyors are allowed to determine boundary line measurements in the state of New York. Land surveyors are also familiar with zoning regulations, building regulations, health policies, planning regulations, wetland regulations and general land use codes.

Land surveyors might offer a lot of different services which include:

•Proposed Plot Plans

•Global Positioning System Surveys

•Subdivision Design and Platting

•Boundary Surveys

•Environmental Impact Statements

•Building Location and Foundation Location Surveys

•Wetland Delineation and Location

•Topographic Surveys

•Geodetic Control Surveys

•Percolation Tests and Soil Descriptions

•Land Development Plans

•Mining Plans

•Monitoring of Structural Settling of Buildings and Other Structures

•Construction and Transportation Staking

•Mitigation Plans

•Utility and Pipeline Surveys

As said by the New York State Law, the surveys made only by the licensed and registered New York State Land Surveyors are lawful. Only those land surveyors who are registered have the mixture of land surveying education and experience in the field which is needed for licensure in the New York State, and just the licensed and registered land surveyors have passed the licensure exam in New York State. This is a three-part examination, and consists of two national exams totaling fourteen hours, and a two-hour New York State specific examination.

Architects, lawyers, professional engineers, Real Estate agents, title company agents and landscape architects are not permitted to make boundary line determinations. This rule is implemented even though a visual examination of a property by a Real Estate agent, a landowner, a contractor or title company representative is not sufficient to settle the legal boundary of the said property.

It is important that you get in touch with a land surveyor before buying a property because

•Only a licensed land surveyor can provide a map of his survey to define what you have bought

•He can conclude whether trees, buildings, fences, gardens, building overhangs, sidewalks, driveways, etc actually lie on your property

•He can decide if your deed correctly describes your property, or he could provide an updated deed

•A survey given by the seller may be old and not describe changes made to the property since then. A surveyor can place permanent monuments on the corners of your property to make you aware of property lines always.