What is a survey? What does a Land Surveyor do? These are general questions I hear all of the time that can have a variety of answers. There are several types of land surveys performed by Professional Land Surveyors, these include Boundary Retracement surveys, Topographic surveys, As-Built surveys, Monitor surveys, GPS surveys, Environmental surveys, Construction surveys, FEMA Certificate surveys and ALTA surveys. The most common type of survey that most people are familiar with is a Boundary Retracement Survey. A Boundary Retracement survey is performed when a landowner is unsure where the boundary lines of the subject parcel are located. There may be a need to construct a fence, wall or other feature near the boundary line or at a specific setback to the true boundary line.  Every boundary survey typically begins with a review of the recorded legal description of the subject parcel. In general there are three types of legal descriptions, metes and bounds (Bearings and Distances), Recorded Map reference (Book 9 of Maps Page 16), and Aliquot Parts (The North ½ of Section 20, T.3N.,R.2E). In many cases it is necessary to review the Legal Description for adjoining properties to resolve any apparent discrepancies that may arise in the review of the written records. The fieldwork for most boundary surveys have the same goal, find any evidence of the location of the boundary as it was originally marked. This may include street monuments, wood hubs, iron pipes, marks on concrete curbs or any of a variety of markers that have been used. Improvements such as fences, walls, ECT that date back to the original conveyance can be useful data if other evidence has been destroyed. Typically the Land Surveyor will tie all of the evidence together using coordinate geometry, this will aid the process of evaluating what has been found. Once the initial fieldwork is complete the Land Surveyor can determine how the evidence that was recovered fits the written record. Many times monuments are found that are not of record or do not fit the dimensions as recorded. Depending on how the boundary is described a land surveyor will need to apply a variety of principles such as JR / SR Rights for a meets & bounds description, Prorating a block for a lot on a Recorded Map, or Parole Evidence for the resolution of a Section Corner on a Aliquot Part description, in order to resolve and determine the location of the lines in question. If new boundary monuments are required as part of a boundary retracement survey there are two options available in California. If all of the found evidence fits together within acceptable tolerance and the resolved boundary lines are already shown on a previously recorded map, then a corner record can be prepared for a minimal cost. If the resolved boundary lines are not already shown on a previously recorded map, or evidence is found which results in a Material Discrepancy with the written record it is required byThe 2008 Professional Land Surveyors' Act(Business and Professions Code sections 8700-8805)Section 8762 (B)for the Land Surveyor to prepare and record a Record of Survey Map to be checked by the County Surveyor and then filed with the County Recorders Office. The cost of a boundary retracement survey can vary widely. Generally speaking modern subdivisions will have concrete monuments in the street as well as marks of either the sidewalk or top of curb. Older subdivisions may show monuments on the recorded map, which has been destroyed by other improvements over time. Properties with a metes and bounds or aliquot parts description in areas where there are few Recorded Maps may require additional research and or field time to recover all of the evidence needed to resolve the lines in question. Boundary questions? Call Hawkins Land Surveying 707-974-9890.http://www.hawkinslandsurveying.com/ ...read more