I was just sent a quote for a land survey of almost $10k on an area of 100 acres… is this estimate within reason? The property is rural, but not crazy… just seems a little steep.

I know… welcome to land ownership and the process of selling…

I had a client recently receive a few bids for surveys that was $1000-1500 in price range for 6 acres. Did not include a topographical which was another $1800-$2000.

Where's your land?

I've only had a few topo surveys done, but $1,800-$2,000 seems cheap.

A landowner I know just received a survey quote of $4,500 for 420ish acres.

I assume you are talking title survey op. That seams reasonable…depends on shape of property, how many easements have to be researched and sketched, how old is last deed, etc.

I can't imagine anyone touching topo on a hundred acres for 10k unless it is a square flat field with limited vegetation and it's a low overhead group

I agree. Just had three topos done, 60 - 100 acres per site ranged from $21,000 to $25,000. Had to pay an additional $2,500 on one site because the cows ate a few panels...

Yes - this is for a title survey… and thanks for the feedback so far!

Three Seasons said:

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I was just sent a quote for a land survey of almost $10k on an area of 100 acres… is this estimate within reason? The property is rural, but not crazy… just seems a little steep.

I know… welcome to land ownership and the process of selling…

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I'm an RPLS. There's ~maybe~ 2000 active surveyors in Texas. If you'd called my office (and a lot of other surveyors offices) I'd have declined to quote work like this. We simply can't employ people (or pay ourselves) at those rates who are also competent to perform infrastructure engineering surveys that are actually profitable.

The last title survey I signed was about 2 weeks ago. It was a complex ALTA quoted at nearly $30k, and I still didn't make squat on it.

213 Grove said:

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Don't just take the lowest quote. A good survey is worth the $. Cost depends on if it's wooded or cleared, etc.

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That is a small component of the cost of a competent survey.

normaleagle05 said:

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Three Seasons said:

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I was just sent a quote for a land survey of almost $10k on an area of 100 acres… is this estimate within reason? The property is rural, but not crazy… just seems a little steep.

I know… welcome to land ownership and the process of selling…

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I'm an RPLS. There's ~maybe~ 2000 active surveyors in Texas. If you'd called my office (and a lot of other surveyors offices) I'd have declined to quote work like this. We simply can't employ people (or pay ourselves) at those rates who are also competent to perform infrastructure engineering surveys that are actually profitable.

The last title survey I signed was about 2 weeks ago. It was a complex ALTA quoted at nearly $30k, and I still didn't make squat on it.

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Can you tell me what ALTA is and what kind of overhead goes in to conducting a survey like the one you mentioned? I assume up front equipment costs and the cost of your time or your employees time, but what other costs are there? Are there costs associated with looking up information similar to what you did for me recently? If so, I need to break out my checkbook.

The American Land Title Association and the National Society of Professional Surveyors put together a joint land title survey standard typically referred to as an ALTA. It's a robust standard that is really a good starting point for any title transaction. People like to go nuts checking items on the optional Table A and then wonder why they get quoted huge sums.

Most requirements to use the ALTA standard stem from large commercial investor involvement or Federal agency involvement. These transactions involve a lot of attorneys and the surveyor ends up spending lots of time complying with extraneous requests or fighting them off because they're beyond his ability to certify.

These surveys usually include a detailed topographic survey. A week in the field shooting accessibility ramps adds up fast at $200/hour.

More than you need to know about the standard:
https://www.nsps.us.com/page/2021ALTA

Three Seasons said:

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I was just sent a quote for a land survey of almost $10k on an area of 100 acres… is this estimate within reason? The property is rural, but not crazy… just seems a little steep.

I know… welcome to land ownership and the process of selling…

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OP - one thing that can help with the cost is if you can find a surveyor that has worked a neighboring property. I recently did a 50-50 split of a 161 acre property. The first quote I got was $8000. I then called another surveyor that I knew had surveyed acreage next door. Because of that, their fee was a little under $5500.

Three Seasons said:

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I was just sent a quote for a land survey of almost $10k on an area of 100 acres… is this estimate within reason? The property is rural, but not crazy… just seems a little steep.

I know… welcome to land ownership and the process of selling…

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I'm an RPLS as well…trying to gauge/compare pricing by the acre is foolish. So many variables can come into play. That may be way overpriced or way underpriced.

My suggestion is to ask the local title companies and real estate attorneys who they would suggest to complete the assignment. We spend a lot of time reviewing survey work and most surveyors are excellent. Some, however, are not, and in my experience, a goofed-up survey can really create problems and cost thousands. The up-front cost is important, but the quality is more important.

Can I contact you about some work opportunities? (not trying to recruit you for a job)

southernskies said:

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Can I contact you about some work opportunities? (not trying to recruit you for a job)

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Sure. I can't PM, what's your email address?