Boundary Surveying
A Boundary survey (referred to sometimes as a stake, lot or property survey) provides an exact location of improvements such as fences, retaining walls, etc. on your land. All property corners are located and accurately marked. A boundary survey will also show the building lines and all of the easements of record as shown on the recorded subdivision plat or referenced in a provided title commitment.
If the survey is being prepared in conjunction with the purchase of a property, survey insurance coverage is given to both the buyer and the mortgage company. Lenders of commercial property rely on a boundary surveys to evaluate the value and use of the property. The end result of a boundary survey is a detailed drawing that will show the results of the survey field work and all items that are pertinent to the survey.
Surveying Property Lines
Current owners of property or potential buyers of property rely on boundary surveys as a way to locate, verify or reestablish and reset property corners for residential, commercial or industrial property. Corners are indicated by a survey monument, which is typically rebar or iron pipe located at each property corner. Most monuments are difficult to see as they are set flush or slightly below ground level. Most survey monument types are magnetic in nature and can be found by using a metal detector if they exist.
Sample Boundary Survey — Distance Sampling Aerial Survey Photo
- Boundary Survey Cost and Considerations
- Survey Process
- Boundary Survey Types
- Property Types
- More Survey Types
The cost to have a professional land surveyor perform a boundary survey varies. It is based on the location of the property, size of the lot, age of the subdivision and foliage surrounding the lot. For a lot that is less than a 1/2 acre, a Boundary Survey cost will range from $500 to $1500. Large properties or older subdivisions typically require a custom quote from professional land surveyors.
- All Property corners are located and verified, or reestablished and reset.
- Corners are typically indicated by a survey monument, which is typically a rebar or iron pipe located at the property corner. Typical length of survey monument is 18” or 24”. Most monuments are set flush with the ground or are located slightly below ground level.
- Corners will be spray painted with pink paint for ease of viewing.
- Corners will be marked with either a wood lath (stake) with pink flagging or a pink pin flag. Both items will have writing of “lot corner” on them. They will be placed next to the property corner. The lath and pin flags are designed to assist you in locating your corners, they do NOT represent a property corner.
- Improvements, such as homes, buildings, sheds, pools, fences, retaining walls and items permanent in nature can be located at the time of survey.
- All potential encroachments are shown and labeled on drawing. All fences are shown on the drawing, regardless of ownership.
- Can be used to establish property lines and can be used for building fences, retaining walls, additions, pools, sheds, and improvements.
- Meets requirements of most municipalities to submit for permits for improvements to a property.
- Complies with Missouri Minimum Standards for Boundary Surveys per Missouri State Statutes.
- This is a legally binding document.
An ALTA is a boundary survey that meets national standards.
Or Call: 636.922.1001


Wood lath being placed next to a survey monument to aid in the ease of locating the monument. Please note that the lath is not the monument, but is merely a witness to the monument.

Wood lath being placed next to survey monument (small circle in front of lath).
About Us
Cardinal Surveying is a family owned land surveying company. The company was established in 2003 and has completed over 25,000 projects spanning the greater St. Louis area. Licensed in Missouri, they currently service St. Charles, St. Louis, Warren, Lincoln and Jefferson Counties.
Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau since 2005, their service, product, and professionalism are sure to meet every client’s needs.