Boundary Survey vs an ALTA Survey – Which One Is Needed?

by | Jun 22, 2022 | ALTA Survey, Boundary survey, Commercial

In the world of surveying there are three main types of classifications of property: residential, commercial, and industrial. Each one of those classifications has its own specific unique characteristics that can be identified as a professional land surveyor performs their field work.

Here are a few points to help understand the difference and why they matter that ultimately decides which survey is performed.

  1. A residential survey is most frequently represented by the performance of a boundary survey. A boundary survey includes the location of property corners, improvements on the lot, and items that are located close to the property line such as fences or landscaping. Additional items such as building lines and easements can also be shown on that drawing when a title commitment is supplied to the surveyor.
  2. A commercial survey is most frequently represented by the performance of an ALTA survey. This type of survey has minimum standards that are created by the American Land Title Association and the National Society of Professional Surveyors. The basis of this survey is a boundary survey. But in addition to the items included in a boundary survey it also includes many additional items such as the utility lines, right of way limits, access points, elevation related data along with many other optional items. This is a much more labor intensive survey and takes significantly more time and resources to execute.
  3. An industrial survey is very similar to that of a commercial survey. However, on industrial sites there are frequently other items of concern that need to be addressed such as access for transportation, proximity to improvements on adjoining properties, height related information and more. There is typically a specific purpose for a request on an industrial site and each survey is customized to fit the request.

All surveying starts with the same core elements of performing research and performing field work in order to complete the project. The focus of the field work changes significantly based on the type of survey requested. All surveys are performed to maximize accuracy standards as set by the Missouri State statute.

Cardinal Surveying would like the opportunity to earn your business. They service the greater St Louis Metro area, have been rated A+ with the Better Business Bureau since 2003, have surveyed over 35,000 properties and are a family owned company who prides themselves on producing accurate results with exceptional customer service. They can be contacted via email at [email protected] or phone at 636.922.1001. They look forward to working with you for all your land surveying needs.