PROPERTY & FENCE LINE SURVEYS IN ALBERTA
Knowing where your property boundaries are in the ground is essential when development on a property occurs. Prior to building a fence or any other new construction, be certain that you know where the property lines are. Don Wilson Surveys Ltd can stake out property boundaries for fencing, settling property disputes or for general interest. Contact us for more information on property & fence line surveys in Alberta or to receive a quote.
Fences Serve Many Functions:
Fences serve many functions. They can be constructed for security reasons, pet or child confinement, hazard control, by-law requirements and agricultural uses. Or, fences can be simply an architectural or aesthetic improvement to your property.
Fences are most often used to mark the boundaries of a property. Whenever fences are located on property boundaries, they must be located properly to minimize the chance of causing legal issues that may be expensive to resolve
Tips for Locating Property Boundaries
Before you get Started - Include your Neighbors
Discuss the construction of the fence with your neighbors—remember they must look at it too.
They may share in the cost, helping with the location and even the construction. Ideally you and your neighbor should jointly own the fence—with this arrangement encroachment and access for maintenance is seldom a problem.
Permits, By-Laws and Restrictions
Most municipalities have regulations about fences. Check with your local Building Department to see what permits, by-laws or other restrictions may affect your construction.
Make the proper permit applications, pay the necessary fees and provide construction drawings and site plans if required. Be prepared to provide full information about your proposed fence—location, material (wood, chain link, etc.), length, height, etc.
Current Costs - Future Savings
The cost of hiring an Alberta Land Surveyor to conduct a fence line survey is well-justified if there is ever a boundary dispute.
The surveying cost is minor compared to potential costs of legal actions.
A boundary determination by an Alberta Land Surveyor will thus reduce future costs, lessen the likelihood of legal action and will stand up in court.
Sole Ownership
If you don’t get along with your neighbor, locate the fence entirely on your property. Design and locate your fence so maintenance can be done from your side of the property line.
Install a fence that is finished on both sides, or place the finished side facing the neighbor’s property.
Protect Yourself - Do It Right
Fencing is considered an important residential design element and bylaws are in place to protect property values from construction that could damage the character of a neighborhood.
If you hire a contractor, be sure you are protected from shoddy workmanship.
If there is any doubt about the fence location, insist that the fence-line be surveyed properly.
Protect Survey Markers
Survey markers are very important and must be protected. It is illegal to remove or tamper with them.
The law applies to everyone including landowners, contractors and landscapers.
An easy way to protect survey markers is to cantilever the fence at the corners. Set your last fence post two feet back from the corner and cantilever the remainder. Never set the fence post directly over or beside a survey marker as it could result in some disturbance or difficulty in accessing the marker.
The cost of replacing a lost or damaged marker can often exceed the cost of the fence so be careful. Your goal should be to ensure the survey markers are easily accessible for your neighbor and others.
New Neighbors
Consider future problems that may arise should the neighboring property be sold.
Remember that your verbal agreements with your old neighbor are not binding for the new neighbor.
Make sure any access arrangements are disclosed to the new neighbor and if there is a problem create a formal agreement with the old neighbor before their property is transferred.
Hire an Alberta Land Surveyor
Retain the services of an Alberta Land Surveyor to have your property line accurately located.
This type of survey is often called a fence line survey and an Alberta Land Surveyor will locate your boundary and physically mark the boundary on the ground, so you know where to build your fence.
Remember the location of a previous fence may not accurately represent the property’s boundary. If there is a question or dispute in the future about the location of the boundary, the Alberta Land Surveyor will take responsibility for the work done.