I Have My Property Survey. Why Would I Need to Hire a Land Surveyor?

Why owning an existing land survey is a smart first step, and when an Ontario homeowner might need additional surveying services.

Your Survey and a Surveyor: What's the Difference?

So, you've purchased a copy of your property survey. Great! Maybe you're planning a new fence, thinking about a backyard renovation, or simply curious about where your property begins and ends.

Whatever your reason, having a copy of your land survey is one of the smartest things you can do as an Ontario homeowner.

But what happens if you're planning your project and someone suggests you might also need to hire a surveyor?

You might wonder, didn't I just purchase a survey?

It's a reasonable question, and the answer comes down to understanding the difference between owning an existing survey plan and having a surveyor perform new work on your property.

Your existing survey is a professionally prepared record of your property's surveyed boundaries and other information documented when the plan was created. It's a valuable resource that can help you understand your property, plan improvements, and make informed decisions.

Hiring an Ontario Land Surveyor, on the other hand, may involve new measurements, confirming current conditions, or physically locating and marking your property boundaries.

They're two different services, and depending on what you're planning, you may benefit from one or both.

Your Existing Survey Is a Valuable Starting Point

Before you start planning that new fence, shed, deck, or addition, your existing survey is one of the first documents worth reviewing.

It can provide important information about your property's boundaries and, depending on the plan, where buildings, fences, and other features were located when the survey was prepared.

Having this information available can help you start conversations with contractors, explore where improvements might go, and identify potential concerns before spending money on materials or construction.

It can also help you understand which questions have already been answered and whether additional information might be needed.

And here's something worth remembering: not every property project requires a new survey or additional surveying services.

For many homeowners, an existing survey plan provides the information they need for their particular purpose.

Of course, your survey doesn't replace municipal approvals or zoning requirements. You'll still need to confirm what's permitted for your project.

And if you're new to land surveys, learning how to read your survey plan is a great way to become more familiar with the information you already have. You can also explore our How to Read a Survey Plan page for more guidance.

When Might You Need a Surveyor?

Let's say you're planning to install a new fence along your property line.

Your survey shows the boundary and provides measurements that help you understand the layout of your property. That's an excellent place to begin.

But here's where things can get a little tricky.

Seeing your property boundary on a survey plan isn't quite the same as knowing precisely where that boundary runs across your lawn.

You might assume the existing fence follows the property line, or that you can simply measure from the side of your house to figure out where the boundary is.

Sometimes those assumptions can lead to costly mistakes.

That's where a boundary stakeout comes in.

A boundary stakeout is a service performed by an Ontario Land Surveyor to locate and physically mark relevant property boundaries on the ground.

Your existing survey provides documented information about your property. A boundary stakeout provides physical boundary markings for situations where that level of accuracy is required.

Think of them as two tools with different jobs.

Needing a boundary stakeout doesn't mean your existing survey was unnecessary or that purchasing it was a mistake. Your survey remains a valuable property record, while the stakeout provides an additional service for a specific purpose.

And remember, not every homeowner needs a boundary stakeout. It depends on the project and whether the exact location of the boundary needs to be established on the ground.

What About the Property Line You Share with Your Neighbour?

Here's another question homeowners sometimes have.

If your survey shows the boundary between your property and your neighbour's, do you also need a copy of their survey?

Generally, no.

Your survey can show the boundary you share with your neighbour. You don't normally need to purchase their survey just to understand where that shared line appears on your own plan.

However, if you need that boundary physically located for construction or to address uncertainty about its position, additional professional surveying work may be appropriate.

The important distinction is the same: your existing survey helps you understand the boundary shown on the plan, while a surveyor can establish its precise location on the ground when necessary.

Your Survey Can Be Useful Long After Your Current Project

One of the best things about owning a copy of your land survey is that its usefulness doesn't necessarily end when your current project is finished.

You might purchase it today because you're replacing a fence, then refer to it again several years from now when you're planning a renovation, updating your landscaping, or, yikes, dealing with a boundary dispute with your neighbour.

It may also be useful when discussing property questions with contractors, reviewing historical features, or preparing for a future home improvement project.

Just remember that an existing survey reflects the information documented when it was prepared. Buildings, fences, and other physical features may have changed since then, so it's important to consider the plan's date and whether current conditions need to be confirmed.

Keep your survey with your important property documents, ideally somewhere you can easily find it when you need it.

After all, understanding your property isn't a one-time task. It's part of being an informed homeowner.

A Smart Investment in Understanding Your Property

Owning an existing survey plan and hiring a surveyor for additional work aren't competing choices. They serve different purposes.

Your survey gives you valuable information about the land you own, helping you plan improvements, ask better questions, and make informed decisions.

If your project eventually requires a boundary stakeout or other professional surveying services, that doesn't change the value of the survey you've already purchased.

For many homeowners, the existing survey will provide the information they need. For others, it will be the foundation for determining the next steps.

Either way, having your land survey is a practical starting point for protecting your property, avoiding costly assumptions, and making the most of your investment in your Ontario home.

Looking for Your Property Documents?

Visit ProtectYourBoundaries.ca to see what property documents and products are available for your address, including existing survey plans and BoundaryPLUS Property Reports.

Our BoundaryPLUS reports can help homeowners, buyers, and sellers better understand important property information, including registered easements, rights-of-way, and other title-related details.

Not sure what you are looking for, or have questions about a property? Contact our team for more information.

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