What is an land surveyor in Illinois?

A professional Land Surveyor is a person who has qualified by education and experience, and who has passed an examination for registration required by the State of Illinois to practice Land Surveying in Illinois.

When might I need a survey?

- When buying or selling land, the location is not clearly defined on the ground.
- Before land is divided.
- If a lending institution requires a survey.
- If a line or corner is not defined.
- Before building close to a line.
- Before a lot is conveyed from a larger tract.
- Before developing the property.
- When you believe someone has built on your property.

What can a surveyor do for me?

- Advise you whether you need an survey or not.
- Examine your deed and adjoining deeds for problems.
- Find and mark corners and property lines.
- Establish new corners and property lines.
- Survey subdivisions.
- Make contour maps.
- Cooperate with your attorney, title insurer, realtor, banker, architect and engineer.
- Appear in court as an expert witness.
- Locate improvements such as wells, fences, right-of-ways, encroachments, etc.

How can I obtain the services of a licensed land surveyor?

- Ask someone for a referral, who has employed a competent land surveyor.
- Consult with your attorney, realtor, banker or title insurer.
- Search engines or in local telephone books.
- Obtain a list of Professional Land Surveyors in your area from the Illinois Professional Land Surveyor's Association.

What should I receive from the Professional Land Surveyor?

- Plat or plats showing all desired information.
- A description of the survey suitable for deed use.
- Services which serve the purpose for which they were intended.

What does a surveyor need from me?

The more information you can furnish the surveyor the more you may expedite the surveyor's work. Such information includes:

- The purpose of the survey.
- A copy of your legal description from a reliable source.
- Locaiton of any know property corners.
- Information about adjoining land owners.
- Information about disagreements over corners and lines.
- Agreement as to who pays and when.

How much will a survey cost?

Fees of surveyors are synonymous with other professions the surveyor's fees are dependent upon the size of the tract and many other factors. These include the terrain and vegetation, accessibility to the parcel of land to be surveyed, and if reliable survey monuments exist in the area. Taking these into consideration the surveyor estimates the appropriate cost of the survey prior to beginning surveying work.

The lowest priced survey will not always be the best surveyor. Make sure to obtain the services of a reputable surveyor.

What if I have a complaint about a surveyor's work?

Consult with the surveyor and try to reach an agreement.
If you still have a problem, contact the Illinois Professional Land Surveyor's Association. IPLSA maintains vigilance over surveyor's actions through its Ethics and Practices Commitee.