Services
Land Surveying is the practice of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional space position of points and the distances and angles between them. These points are usually, but not exclusively, associated with positions on the surface of the Earth, and are often used to establish land maps and boundaries for ownership or governmental purposes. In order to accomplish their objective, surveyors use elements of geometry, engineering, trigonometry, mathematics, physics, and law.
Voelkel Land Surveying, PLLC, specializes in boundary, title, platting, and topographic surveys. Each type of survey requires specific techniques. Below is a short summary of each type of survey.
Boundary Survey - The most common type of surveying, boundary surveying consists of determining the position of boundary markers and lines for a specific pice of property. To begin, a surveyor must study a specific deed for a specific tract of land. The deed is reviewed, and a survey plan is created. The field crew then attempts to locate all boundary markers and boundary features on the ground. The land surveyor takes this field data and determines the position, dimensions, and acreage of the tract. He also attempts to resolve any known boundary issues. The standard deliverable for a boundary survey is a field notes description. Plats (or drawings) can be prepared for an additional fee. When ordering a boundary survey, please specify exactly what type of deliverables you desire.
Title Survey - A title deletion survey is required by title companies and lending institutions when they provide financing to show that there are no structures encroaching on the property and that the position of structures is generally within zoning and building code requirements. Title surveys also locate all known easements and roadways affecting the property. The standard deliverable for a title survey is a plat (or drawing) of the property. Field Notes Descriptions are optional, and if desired, should be ordered with the title survey.
Platting - When dividing a parcel of land into two or more tracts, county and city governments have the right to regulate the division and require a survey plat to be recorded in the county courthouse. There are certain exceptions to the platting rules, and specific information can be found on our Regulations page. A land surveyor will prepare a subdivision plat, when necessary, conforming to all of the regulations of the entity controlling the partition (primarily the County Commissioners Court and/or the City Planning Department). Platting can be very expensive depending on the nature of the subdivision and the steps required by the government entities.
Topographic Survey - A topographic survey measures the elevation of points on a particular piece of land, and presents them as contours on a plot. Our firm generally produces maps with a one-foot contour interval. Many items can be added to a topographic (or "topo") map, including trees, utilities, buildings, land features, and more. When ordering a topographic survey, please be very specific as to the needs of the survey, and the reason for the survey.