Land Survey Advice Needed Kenmore (near Seattle) (cul-de-sac, new home)

[beautifulword]

Hi,

We just got the keys to our first new home, Thank You Lord!!!

We are wanting to put up a fence (to help contain kids) but want to know the edges of the property and exactly what is ours and what isn't. (We don't want to put fence on what isn't ours and have to move it later.)

The first survey company to call us back said it will be $2000 plus $200 to file the information.

Ouch. Is this a normal price?

Anyone else have experience getting a homes boundaries surveyed and want to give this newbie some helpful advice?

Thanks and Hello to all our Kenmore and Seattle neighbors!

[cedar_bluff_tree_farm]

Originally Posted by beautifulword

Hi,

We just got the keys to our first new home, Thank You Lord!!!

We are wanting to put up a fence (to help contain kids) but want to know the edges of the property and exactly what is ours and what isn't. (We don't want to put fence on what isn't ours and have to move it later.)

I'm a licensed Professional Engineer, so I'll try to give you some good advice.

Have you asked your neighbors to see if they know where there are any survey monuments that may have been installed in the past? If so, you can measure off of them to find where your property lines are. Also, do you and your neighbors agree on where you believe the property line to be?

Also, you may able to find your own property lines without too much difficulty. You can look up the plat for your property on the King County website, and it will show how the property lines are defined and where the reference monuments are. Monuments are typically in the center of roads of platted subdivisions.

[beautifulword]

Thank you, cedar_bluff.

I appreciate the information. I will check with the neighbors and on the King County site.

What do monuments look like? I know that the gravel drive ways on either side are newer than the property we bought. The neighborhood isn't a new subdivision. The prior owner lived there since the sixies.

[cedar_bluff_tree_farm]

Originally Posted by beautifulword

Thank you, cedar_bluff.

I appreciate the information. I will check with the neighbors and on the King County site.

What do monuments look like? I know that the gravel drive ways on either side are newer than the property we bought. The neighborhood isn't a new subdivision. The prior owner lived there since the sixies.

The monuments that are in the streets are metal pipes that have a metal cap on the top, about four to six inches in diameter. They are like little manholes. They will say the word "MON" on top. There is usually one in the center of a cul-de-sac and also along the centerline of the streets in various locations. Even old subdivisions may have them - the subdivision I live in was platted in the 40's and they have them.

For the King County site, use this link http://146.129.54.93:8193/search.asp?cabinet=map. In case it doesn't work, it's the recorded documents section of the website, under maps, plats.

[oldcowboy]

If you need survey advice, you could ask a surveyor.............

[VegasGrace]

OUCH is right. I am not from your area but did a search for surveyor and your post came up. I too am wanting to put up a fence and just called a surveryor....who said he'd call me back with a quote.
I'll have a heart attack if he says 2 grand.