Question: I found a company on the Internet that claims to be able to do a survey for me in North Carolina, but there address is in Michigan. The service looks great, but what should I watch out for?
Answer: With today’s technology it is very possible for companies to travel all over the country. Be careful. Make sure they have a license to practice land surveying in North Carolina. Ask them are they going to do the survey or are they just going to hire someone to do it on your behalf, acting as a middleman. If they are hiring someone to do surveying for you, but have no license to practice in North Carolina, I recommend you request direct contact with the surveyor they hire. See what response you get. Any professional advice on your survey should come directly from the surveyor sealing your plat. He is in responsible charge of your survey. Your needs should be reviewed directly with that surveyor. No one else can speak for them. No one. The key is to remember where your advice should come from. Advice issues become a big deal when someone tries to stop you from talking to the properly licensed surveyor or in anyway blocks that advice. Be careful not to sign away your right to counsel, which maybe imbedded in the fine print of a contract.

Question: What does the accuracy ratio of 1/10,000 mean?
Answer: This is a mathematical ratio. Basically it states that the possible error could be as much as one foot per 10,000 feet measured. An example would be to divide 1,000 feet by 0.05 feet of error. The answer is the ratio of error. In this case the ratio would be 1/20000.
 
Question: I have asked several surveyors would they help me with a survey. I have no money for this survey, but promise to pay them once I can subdivide and sale the property. I keep getting turned down. Why?
Answer: What you are asking for sounds simple, but surveyors are trained to see and required to avoid conflicts of interest. The circumstances you proposed to the surveyor put the surveyor at finical risk depending on the outcome of you project. This is considered a conflict of interest. Try a bank. If you already own the land they may be able to help you. Just be sure to ask your attorney for counsel also, or you may risk losing your land to the bank. Payment terms with your surveyor are possible, but cannot be dictated by assurance of division or restricted by any closing or sale.
 
Question: How many square feet are in one acre?
Answer: 43,560.00
 
Question: I have been reading my deed. It is very old and it calls for a direction then a number like 1.5 chains. What does 1.5 chains mean?
Answer: A chain was simply and older method of measuring. Most had 100 links that measured 0.66 feet, for a total of 66 feet. This length fits nicely into the area of and acre. Example: 66 x 66 = 4356.00 sq. ft. or 1/10th of an acre.
Other terms you may see:
1 Rod = 16.5 feet or 1/4 chain.
1 pole = 16.5 feet
1 perch = 16.5 feet
1 meter converted to us survey foot = 3937/1200 or 3.2808333333 us ft.
1 mile = 5280ft.
 
Question: I have found a home I would like to buy. The real estate agent told me there was no need for a survey. She says the owner could show me all the corners and a survey would be a waste of my money. Is this normal?
Answer: This is becoming a more common question. I do not recommend anyone buy land without first having a current survey. By law, in North Carolina, only a licensed professional land surveyor can give advice concerning land surveying. Having the closing inspections done are safety steps no one should skip. Buying a home is possibly the biggest investment you will ever make. I recommend you do not let others influence your choice to be protected. Do not take for granted the owners or real estate agents can show you the correct property corners. Remember surveyors have a license to provide this service.
 
Question: If I have my land surveyed, does the surveyor record a map on public record?
Answer: Not always. Recordation of your map is not required by law in most cases, however if recorded it will act as constructive evidence on behalf of the property.  You do have the personal right to have your survey recorded on public record, but be sure to clarify this option with the surveyor you chose. Mapping law dictates plat sizes and material type when recording on the public record. If not requested in advance this could cause disagreements. Ask, do not assume.
 
Questions: How do I choose a surveyor?
Answer: Surveyors have traditionally been chosen by reputation. In today’s market this is nearly impossible. The age and length of time they have been in business generally is not a factor. We are all tested multiple times before receiving a license. Cost is usually a bad method. I recommend you ask your surveyor a few questions. He or she should be willing to talk you through some of the things you may need to consider. A written request is a good idea. Remember the word “survey”, defines very little. Most surveyors have some type of request form or contract. A standard fixed price for a particular type survey is nearly impossible. All surveys are a different. Cost will vary, however if the survey is in a new subdivision it may be possible to set a fixed price. If the retracement is of an old deed and the last survey isn’t known, it is likely to be hard to define cost. An educated guess is about all you will get until some research can be done. Onsite conditions and the quality of record documents will make a difference.