How to Find Your Property Boundaries

Any time you undertake construction, renovation or development work on your property, you’ll need accurate survey information on hand. A surveyor Rockhampton wide can offer a host of services that you can use to plan your next project. While surveyors can provide you with all sorts of information about your land, property boundary surveys are probably the most common service they provide. Identifying the boundaries of your property allows you to accurately plan your projects and provide up to date information during the council approvals process.

In this article we’re going to dive deeper into the world of boundary surveys and how you can use them to find the border of your property.

What is a Boundary Survey?

In Australia, every property comes with predefined boundary lines. These boundaries are the outer limits of the land you are entitled to. Any work you do on the property – such as new construction, renovation, extensions or putting up a fence – needs to be done within your property boundaries. That’s normally not a big issue, but property boundaries have a habit of shifting over time as the land changes. This can present a challenge when it comes to obtaining planning permission for your project. A boundary survey is designed to provide the information your project needs. Boundary surveys are a type of cadastral surveying that focuses on finding and marking out the borders of your land. Using a mix of title research, historical documents and modern measuring tools, a professional surveyor can determine exactly where your land should be. Depending on your needs, the surveyor can visit the property and mark out the boundaries, but they can also use the information to draft an up to date plan of your plot.

Options for Finding Your Property Boundaries

Boundary surveys are a major part of all types of construction, renovation and extension work. Your local council will often require you to supply survey details along with your construction and engineering plans. If you need to find your property boundaries then you have a few options available:

• Check your original survey plans – Most construction projects in Australia are required to supply survey and building plans. If you have access to these, you can review them and use them to locate the boundaries of your property.
• Contact the city – Your local council should have records of your property and its exact boundaries. You will probably need to pay a fee to obtain a copy of your property’s plan and it’s unlikely to be up to date. If you need to mark out the property boundaries then you will still need the help of a professional surveyor.
• Use online tools – Some Australian states offer a range of online tools that you can use to view your property boundaries. Similar to above, you may need to pay a fee to access this information, and you’ll still need a surveyor’s help to place accurate markers on your property.
• Speak to a professional surveyor – Working with a professional surveyor is the simplest and most cost effective way to find your property boundaries. A professional team will take care of all the research and draft a plan of your property that can be used to design upgrades, obtain planning permissions and much more.

The Benefits of Boundary Surveys

Engaging a professional surveyor Rockhampton might seem like an unnecessary expense, but it’s a requirement for most types of construction work. The data provided by a cadastral survey is an important tool when planning and delivering a range of projects. Having the support of a professional surveyor offers a number of benefits, including:

• Avoid potential pitfalls – Buying a home or improving a property comes with a few potential pitfalls. These things can all seriously affect your project timeline and budget. Engaging a cadastral surveyor can help you avoid planning issues with the local Council and to identify things like easements, setbacks, covenants and restrictions.
• Resolve boundary disputes – Property boundaries shift over time due to new construction, changes in the land and outside factors like new easements. This can create disputes between you and your neighbours. The quickest and simplest way to settle a boundary dispute is to engage a cadastral surveyor. A surveyor can accurately define your property and provide evidence to enforce your rights.
• Saves money – This is by far the biggest benefit to performing a professional boundary survey. Boundary disputes, planning approvals and hidden pitfalls can cost you thousands of dollars. For a small fee, a cadastral surveyor can resolve these issues and help you avoid the heartache and expense of investing your money in the wrong property.