Using Your Smartphone to Find Property Lines: Fact vs. Fiction | Cook Surveying (2024)

FAQs

Using Your Smartphone to Find Property Lines: Fact vs. Fiction | Cook Surveying? ›

Conclusion: While smartphones can be a handy tool for a preliminary look at property boundaries, they fall short of providing the accuracy and legal standing needed for official purposes.

EDMs give surveyors much more accuracy than metal measurement tapes. Various surveys, such as detail surveys and a control survey, use this technology. Surveyors calculate the horizontal distance between two control points using an EDM instrument. The device directs the energy to another surveyor holding a reflector.

The Benefits of Using GPS on Your Phone for Land Surveying

With just your phone, you can easily survey an area at any time. Cost-Effectiveness: Traditional land surveying equipment can be expensive to purchase or rent. By using your phone, you can save on costs while still obtaining accurate data.

LandGlide provides easy access to property data and parcel boundary lines. Try it for yourself and start a 7-day free trial.

Free Land Survey App for iPhone and Android Mobile Devices

Construction firms and land surveyors find that by using GoCanvas for field data collection and reporting, they're able to save time and money by digitizing these processes in a mobile app platform.

Accuracy of Real-Time Kinematic (RTK)

RTK is the most accurate GNSS surveying method, capable of achieving centimeter-level precision in real-time.

Professional Survey vs.

While smartphone apps offer a quick and easy way to estimate property boundaries, they cannot replace the detailed and legally binding results provided by a professional land survey: Professional surveys use advanced equipment like total stations, GPS, and drones to achieve precise measurements.

Use a Phone With a Compass and GPS Receiver

Enable the GPS function on a smartphone before you start a survey and make sure the device receives a signal at every point on a property. A weak or lost signal can result in less accurate measurements.

Known for its renowned precision, a GPS land survey can achieve horizontal accuracy between 1 to 5 cm and vertical accuracy of 2 to 10 cm under optimal conditions, a testament to the technology's evolving sophistication.

LandGlide® is the most advanced and comprehensive parcel data and property line map application. Using GPS to pinpoint your location, access key parcel data anywhere. - Hover over a property to instantly view details.

What is the best site to see property lines? ›

County Recorder Or Assessor's Office Website

Property boundaries are meticulously documented, providing a reliable source for homeowners and professionals seeking information on land ownership and legal boundaries.

Are property lines on Google Maps accurate? No. Google Maps are not that accurate, and you shouldn't rely on them as a source for factual information regarding property lines. Much like a plat map, they only provide a general idea of where property lines exist.

While it's not a substitute for professional land surveys or legal documents, it offers a user-friendly way to explore and display property lines. Remember to use the most up-to-date version of Google Earth Pro and exercise caution in relying solely on its information for legal or surveying purposes.

'Theodolites' measure precise horizontal and vertical angles for the purpose of triangulation. They can workout the location and distance of a point through the formation of triangles. 'Total stations' modern theodolite's, these are currently the most commonly used tool for surveyors because of its accuracy.

Compared to other types of survey methods, face-to-face surveys offer profound insights and accuracy.

ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey

This land survey is the most intensive and detailed. An ALTA/NSPS land title survey is necessary for when you buy or sell any commercial or private property. ALTA stands for the American Land Title Association, and NSPS stands for National Society of Professional Surveyors.

Metes and bounds have historical significance, and in some jurisdictions, metes and bounds are considered the most accurate description of parcel boundaries due to the geographical features used to identify precise locations. Both natural and artificial markers can be used to define metes and bounds.

For surveys that include a target population you already have access to and can enumerate, online or telephone surveys will work well. If literacy or language obstacles are present, face-to-face interviews are your best option.