Residential survey cost

[Pilsy]

Hi! We are inching toward our big renovation.  

If you've had a survey of your property prepared for the purpose of an addition, how much did it cost? I'm being charged $1,300, which seems really steep to me; but I've never purchased these services before, so maybe I'm out in left field with my expectations. 

I feel powerless, because the engineers have already performed the field work. There was a bizarre misunderstanding, and they charged me $900 for that (i.e., deed research and staking), when I understood that to be the price for everything, including the plot plan. (We have a contract, which outlines the scope as the research and staking, but then says payment is due when the plan is delivered.) When I asked for the deliverable, they told me there isn't one and I only paid for the staking.   

I feel kind of stuck, because if I want to switch companies now, I think it's unlikely I can find a place that will pick up where this company left off. I don't want to pay for the field work a second time. 

Anyway, does this seem high or in line with costs these days. For what it's worth, I'm in a Boston suburb, so HCOL. 

Thank you! 

[Deleted]

My neighbor just had this done. We all have +/- .5 acre properties and they paid around $600.

[Pilsy]

Thanks, @sameoldstory!

Our property is more like 1.3 acres, but I feel like $1,300 is highway robbery!

[winecat]

I paid $1200 for a boundary survey 3ish years ago. My lot is about 3,000 square feet. So about the same cost for 1.3 acres seems like a steal.

[Pilsy]

Oct 26, 2020 10:45:41 GMT -5 winecat said:

I paid $1200 for a boundary survey 3ish years ago. My lot is about 3,000 square feet. So about the same cost for 1.3 acres seems like a steal.

Ok, this makes me feel better!  

Also, sorry. Ugh. Goodbye, money. 

[sakura]

I’m a civil engineer (not residential) and survey costs will vary, based on COL as well as how much research is needed to determine the property boundary. If monument reference points are nearby it will be a lot cheaper than if they need to survey much further out. Also if neighboring properties have records on file, this affects the cost.

[Pilsy]

Oct 26, 2020 11:50:05 GMT -5 sakura said:

I’m a civil engineer (not residential) and survey costs will vary, based on COL as well as how much research is needed to determine the property boundary. If monument reference points are nearby it will be a lot cheaper than if they need to survey much further out. Also if neighboring properties have records on file, this affects the cost.

Thanks, sakura! 

We had it done when we did, because our neighbors were already using the same company to do theirs. The staking was done at the same time, so I thought there would be economies of scale there. 

[sakura]

Oct 26, 2020 12:23:48 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

Oct 26, 2020 11:50:05 GMT -5 sakura said:

I’m a civil engineer (not residential) and survey costs will vary, based on COL as well as how much research is needed to determine the property boundary. If monument reference points are nearby it will be a lot cheaper than if they need to survey much further out. Also if neighboring properties have records on file, this affects the cost.

Thanks, sakura! 

We had it done when we did, because our neighbors were already using the same company to do theirs. The staking was done at the same time, so I thought there would be economies of scale there. 

There definitely would be savings based on that. I’m not familiar enough with the costs to know if that’s reflected in your price. What do your neighbors think (eta: of) the surveyors?

[Pilsy]

Oct 26, 2020 12:32:29 GMT -5 sakura said:

Oct 26, 2020 12:23:48 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

Thanks, sakura ! 

We had it done when we did, because our neighbors were already using the same company to do theirs. The staking was done at the same time, so I thought there would be economies of scale there. 

There definitely would be savings based on that. I’m not familiar enough with the costs to know if that’s reflected in your price. What do your neighbors think (eta: of) the surveyors?

We haven't spoken since I engaged them, but I'll text them to ask. The surveyors are also really bad about getting back to me. For example, it takes 3 - 5 days for an email response. Pretty annoying.