Land surveyor cost (mortgage, brokers, how much)

[omegasri]

I live in a metrowest area and planning to put a fence around my property, as per town guidelines i need to submit a certified "As-built" plot plan. I inquired around 3 surveyors and they want to charge me anywhere between 1600$ to 1750$ for staking out my property and provide a "As-built" plot plan, my property size is around 0.36 acres, for me it looks like too much.

Is this a fair price, how much you had paid recently if u have , any recommendations ?

[gf2020]

$1500-$2000 sounds about right.

[BostonMike7]

So I need to submit a certified plot plan to get a building permit for a deck in my town. I've inquired with a few surveyors which have quoted full-blown boundary surveys, or mortgage plot plans which are significantly cheaper (although I believe not correct for what I need). In talking with the town, they want a plot plan with the proposed deck location.

Now, spending the money for the survey isn't the issue. My issue is really whether that is the correct item I need? Does a certified plot plan always include a full blown survey?

[SunnyinBoston]

Just got one for $850......my opinion that is way overpriced especially for .36 acres

Actually that is laughable....

(Let me clarify for $850 I got a survey. So your saying the town wants your survey company to put the fence in the survey plan? That is kinda silly, I would clarify. But if that is the case then I would leave that up to you on how much you think it costs a Survey company to "place" a fence on the plot plan..........doubt it should be another $850 though...)

[BostonMike7]

$850 would be cheaper than any of the quotes I got. Cheapest quote I got was $1200 for 0.34 acres. Who did you use?

Also, this is an old thread. OP's probably gotten his fence built by now. Guess I didn't need to bump it.

[robr2]

A survey shows the boundaries and the location of the buildings on the lot. A plot plan shows the boundaries and the buildings on the lot but not exact placement.

There is info here: What's the difference between a survey and plot plan in Massachusetts?

I had a survey done a couple of years for $850 when installing a new fence. The surveyor used a metal detector to try and find the "permanent" lot corner markers - they found one. They then had to go to a know point (up the street and around the corner) and work their way back to confirm the one pin. They then put new permanent corner pins.

Ever notice a triangle with a metal rod nailed into the road or sidewalk? Those are the marks the surveyors make to double check their work.

[BostonMike7]

When I moved in, I actually tried searching for survey marks and found nothing. My neighborhood is actually pretty boring in that each property is an exact 125' x 125' square, and the fences have been established for years...decades even. House is sitting dead center and my proposed deck is well away from the property lines that I easily meet the min setback and won't require a variance.

After a dozen or so quotes and calls yesterday I think I got it sorted out. Quotes were all over the place. Cheapest was $250, highest was $1500. I went with someone who actually seemed to understand what I needed to do for my project vs someone who just blanket fired me off a full survey quote.

Doing things by the book is sometimes a huge PITA.