Boundary, topo, plot plans, and construction staking for homeowners, ADUs, and additions.

ALTA/NSPS, design topo, construction staking, and Scan-to-BIM for developers and design teams.

Engineering surveys, ROW mapping, control, and construction layout for cities and agencies.




We aim to give you a price that is accurate and defensible—not a guess. For most properties, producing a reliable estimate takes 24–48 hours because we complete a quick due-diligence review that typically includes:
• Record research: Reviewing available deeds, parcel maps, tract maps, Records of Survey, and any relevant record information.
• Scope confirmation: Verifying what you actually need (e.g., boundary corners marked, topo mapping, a plot plan for permits, construction staking).
• Site and access considerations: Identifying potential factors that affect field time, such as terrain, vegetation, fencing, occupied areas, or restricted access.
• Coordination requirements: Confirming any agency, lender/title, architect/engineer, or permit submittal requirements.
• Scheduling and deliverables: Checking current workload and confirming realistic turnaround for field work and final deliverables.
This short review helps prevent changing orders and avoids surprises after we begin. If you have a deadline, let us know—we will do our best to prioritize your estimate.
Survey pricing can vary significantly—even for neighboring properties—because the scope, research, and required record filing can differ from parcel to parcel. A higher fee does not necessarily mean the work is “more complicated,” but it often reflects additional time, review, and professional liability associated with your specific property and deliverables.
A major driver of cost differences is the required County filing, which is largely determined by the property’s legal description. For example:
• If your parcel is described as a lot in a recorded tract, the work may qualify for a Corner Record filing (typically a smaller exhibit with a more streamlined filing process and lower County fees).
• If your parcel is described by metes and bounds, is a portion of a lot, or involves complex title/record conditions, it may require a Record of Survey (a full map that typically involves significantly more drafting and County review, higher map-check and recording fees, and a longer processing timeline).
Other common reasons your survey may cost more include:
• Different scope of work: Your neighbor may have ordered basic corner marking, while you may need a boundary survey with a signed map, a plot plan for permits, topo, or construction staking.
• Record and monument conditions: Some parcels have clear, consistent records and existing monuments; others require deeper deed/map research, retracement, or setting/replacing corners.
• Easements and encumbrances: Utility, access, and drainage easements can add research and field verification time.
• Site conditions and access: Steep terrain, heavy vegetation, fences/walls, limited rear-yard access, occupied properties, or tenant coordination can increase field time.
• Improvements and potential encroachments: More structures, walls, retaining walls, or suspected encroachments typically require additional measurements and analysis.
• Deliverable requirements: City/county submittals, lender/title requirements (e.g., ALTA/NSPS), CAD deliverables, or tight deadlines can increase effort and review time.
• Timing and scheduling: Expedited service or limited scheduling windows can affect cost.
If you tell us what your neighbor ordered (or share their scope if you have it), we can explain the differences clearly and confirm you are only paying for what you actually need.
Most boundary surveys are completed in 1–3 weeks from authorization, depending on the property and current scheduling. Some projects can be faster, while others require additional research, field effort, or county review.
What drives the timeline:
• Scheduling and access: Coordinating entry to the site (occupied homes, tenants, locked gates, pets, limited access to the rear yard) can add time.
• Record research complexity: Some parcels have clear recorded maps and monumentation; others require deeper deed/map research and analysis of easements and adjoining record data.
• Field conditions: Steep terrain, heavy vegetation, walls/fences, tight side yards, or extensive improvements typically increase field time.
• Corner evidence and monument recovery: If property corners are difficult to locate, disturbed, or missing, additional measurements and evaluation may be required; in some cases, corners may need to be reset/set.
• Drafting and professional review: Boundary surveys require careful calculations, drafting, and licensed review to ensure the results are defensible.
• Deliverable and agency requirements: If a Record of Survey or Corner Record is required, the county review/recording process can add additional time beyond the field and drafting work.
If you tell us your address and your deadline (for a fence, design, or permit), we can give you a realistic schedule and, when possible, offer expedited options.
For an ADU, addition, or new home design, the right survey depends on whether you are verifying property lines, mapping existing site conditions, or preparing for grading and construction. In many cases, design teams request a topographic survey with boundary information so they can design accurately and submit plans for permit.
Common survey types for ADU/addition/new construction
• Topographic Survey (Topo)
Used for design and engineering. Captures ground elevations/contours and visible site features (structures, fences, walls, driveways, hardscape, drainage features, etc.).
• Boundary Survey / Boundary Verification
Used to establish or confirm property lines and corners—critical when setbacks, fences, or suspected encroachments are involved.
• Topographic + Boundary (combined)
Often the most useful package for architects/engineers because it provides both site mapping and boundary control in one coordinated deliverable.
• Construction Staking / Layout (later phase)
After permits and plans are approved, staking is used to lay out building corners, grids, offsets, pad elevations, and other control points for construction.
Typical deliverables your architect/engineer may request
• Stamped and signed PDF survey map (when required/desired)
• CAD file (DWG/DXF) for design integration
• Contours (commonly 1-foot, but project-dependent) and spot elevations
• Property lines (and corners marked in the field if included in scope)
• Visible improvements and surface features (structures, walls, fences, hardscape)
• Easements shown from record documents (as available), and key annotations useful for design
The quickest way to confirm what you need
Send us:
• The property address/APN, and
• Any architectural/civil plans (even preliminary), or a brief description of what you’re building.
We will recommend the most appropriate survey scope and deliverables so your designer has what they need without paying for unnecessary work.

Apr 6, 2026
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