Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 9
Boundary Survey Research
Research is the first step in the performance of a boundary survey. A surveyor will
not generally begin to have an appreciation of the level of difficulty of a particular
survey until the research is well under way.
A surveyor will not generally begin to have an appreciation of the level of
difficulty of a particular survey until the research is well under way.
Prior to beginning research, the surveyor has usually met or talked with the cli-
ent regarding the client's requirements. Because it is the surveyor's duty to set
boundary markers based on the record description, it is good practice for the sur-
veyor to ask that the client furnish the legal description of the property that is to
be surveyed. Sometimes clients do not have or cannot find a copy of their deed
so the surveyor will need to obtain it from the recorder's office. Depending on the
requirements of the particular boundary survey, the surveyor will, at a minimum,
need to obtain copies of the deeds of all abutting properties. The surveyor will also
need to get copies of any plans of nearby properties and any street layouts that
affect the client's property. Before we discuss methods of legal research we need
to have an understanding of the nature of real property and deeds.
9.1 The Concept of Real Property
A deed conveys title to an interest in property. In order to appreciate what this
means, the reader must have an understanding of the nature of real property. In
broad terms, the law deals with two basic types of property: real property and per-
sonal property.
