Ordering a Proper Land Survey

Ordering a Proper Land Survey

Before you buy or sell any commercial property you should require a land survey of the property in order to ensure that the land encompasses the area that you were told it does.  This is important, especially in urban areas where price per square foot is a factor.

To find an Ontario Land Surveyor (OLS), visit the website of the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors (AOLS) and look for one in your area.

In order to become a Land Surveyor, one of the following is necessary:

-A university degree.,
-A minimum two-year technological degree or diploma in Engineering or Geomatics.
-A professional survey commission from another recognized jurisdiction.

According to the AOLS website, they also require: “a minimum of 1-1/2 years of training and experience in professional land surveying to the satisfaction of the Academic and Experience Requirements Committee. This is done under Articles of Agreement with an Ontario Land Surveyor/Ontario Land Information Professional.”
You must decide on the type of survey that you are looking for, and they will vary according to your needs.

Plan of Survey

This is the most common survey that you will receive when you ask for a survey.  This shows the boundary lines and corners of the property.  Your Land Surveyor will visit the registry office to ensure that all of the data provided in this survey are correct.

If you want a more complete version of this document, you must ask for a Surveyor’s Real Property Report (SRPR).  This legal document shows the location of improvements in relation to property boundaries.

Construction Layout Survey

This survey is made prior to construction or when it is already underway.  Your surveyor checks elevation, dimensions, stake-out lines and grades.

As-Built Survey

This survey locates physical structures and improvements and is often needed in order to get a mortgage on a commercial property.

Topographic Survey

Required for all new subdivisions for proper grading of land and services such as water and sewer.  It shows lines of contours, watercourses, and trees.

Quantity Survey

This isn’t a land survey per se, but you may be asked to provide one.  This specifies measurements of quantities such as soil, concrete and fences as they pertain to the construction process.  This may be requested by a lender to determine when progress payments need to be made to the builder.

Your land surveyor can tell you which of these surveys are required for your particular situation.