Do You Need a Land Survey Before Building in Barrhead or Rural Alberta?

You have planned the project, picked the contractor, and you are ready to break ground on that new garage, deck, fence, or home. But before the first post goes in, there is one question worth answering: do you need a land survey first? In many cases around Barrhead and rural Alberta, the answer is yes, and skipping it can be a costly mistake.

When a survey is a smart idea

You should strongly consider a survey or an updated Real Property Report before you build if you are building near a property line (a fence, shed, garage, or addition), if your project must meet municipal setbacks, if you are unsure exactly where your boundaries are (especially on a rural or acreage property), if you need a development or building permit that requires a plot plan or RPR, or if you are putting up a new home and need accurate building location and grading.

What can go wrong without one

Choosing to forgo a survey is one of the most common and avoidable mistakes property owners make. Without one, you risk building a structure that encroaches on your neighbour's land or vice versa, violating a setback and being ordered to move or remove the structure, discovering too late that service companies have access rights across your land, and facing expensive disputes that can stall your project or even end up in court. The cost of a survey is almost always a fraction of the cost of tearing down and rebuilding, or of settling a boundary dispute.

Survey, RPR, or stakeout?

Different projects call for different services. A Real Property Report shows your boundaries and existing improvements, which is ideal before adding a structure or for a permit. A property or fence line survey marks your actual boundaries on the ground so you can build with confidence. A construction survey or stakeout positions a new building precisely where it is permitted to go. If you are not sure which one you need, a quick conversation with a land surveyor will point you in the right direction.

Building around Barrhead, Westlock, Whitecourt or Athabasca?

Don Wilson Surveys has served property owners across central and northern Alberta since 1982, from the Town of Barrhead to Westlock, Whitecourt, Athabasca, Slave Lake, and beyond. Whether you are adding a fence or building a new home, we will help you confirm your boundaries before you build, not after.

Planning a build near Barrhead or in rural Alberta? Contact Don Wilson Surveys and survey it right the first time.