What is the Difference Between a Surveyor and a Land Surveyor?
posted 9th July 2024
Before we look at the differences between a surveyor and land surveyor, you are probably wondering if there is actually a difference. The quick answer is Yes. There are a few things that differentiate surveyors from land surveyors.
What Surveyors and Land Surveyors Do
Surveyors and land surveyors use specialist equipment to measure and map above and below the earth. Surveyors tend to work on construction projects, such as mining surveys, topography, and more, while land surveyors do surveyors work, along with measuring and identifying boundary lines, subdivisions, and more.
Surveyors use numerous tools to look at a property and determine its features. It is a broad professional with numerous types of surveying. The most common is land surveying and construction surveying.
What Land Surveyors Do
Land surveyors are responsible for marking property boundaries. They note the land topography, elevation, easements, existing structures, and slopes. They provide property owners with all the information that they need to understand their land.
Land surveys can be carried out for numerous reasons. They are common when you buy or sell land, ensuring the buyer knows exactly what they are getting. They are also used by banks and lenders when it comes to applying for a mortgage. In addition to this, they are useful when in a boundary dispute with your neighbour.
What Construction Surveyors Do
Construction surveyors are responsible for determining the most suitable location for a building project. They are responsible for the construction success. They are often the first person on a building site, ensuring construction teams know what they are working with and any obstacles that may get in their way.
They are often used throughout the building process and not only at the beginning. Where a land surveyor is only used once, to provide the accurate mapping of a piece of land including boundaries, features, existing properties, and more.
Can Land Surveyors Do Construction Surveys?
While there are differences between surveyors and land surveyors, it's just as important to note that land surveyors are highly qualified and are more than able to carry out a construction survey. All surveyors have similar on the job experience, they have completed courses and are members of a regulatory body, such as RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors).
How to Select a Surveyor?
Now that you know land surveyors and surveyors have some slight differences, they are both highly experienced with practical knowledge, along with being a member of a regulatory body. That being said, when it comes to choosing your surveyor, there are a few things you will want to take into consideration, including:
- Experience – You want to choose an experienced surveyor or land surveyor that can provide you with accurate data
- What services they provide – surveyors don't all offer the same surveying services. Some will only focus on residential properties, others on commercial, some specialise in mining and other industries. It's essential to ensure the surveyor you choose has the knowledge and experience to carry out the survey you require.
- Cost – of course price is going to play a role in who you hire. Price is based on the size and complexity of the survey. Some surveys can take a couple of hours on-site and a few days in the office, where others can be a day or two on-site with a month or more behind the computer in the office.
Conclusion
While there are differences between surveyors and land surveyors, both are highly experienced and qualified individuals that are essential to your property build. While they do vary in what they specialise in, surveyors and land surveyors are experienced in working with high tech equipment and software, providing you with accurate information.