Welcome to Enterprise Land Surveying

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Welcome to Enterprise Land Surveying's website

This site is intended to provide you with information on Land Surveying in the Enterprise, AL, Coffee and Dale Counties, and Geneva County area of Alabama. If you're looking for an Enterprise Land Surveyor, you've come to the right site. If you'd rather talk to someone about your land surveying needs, please call  (888) 936-8426 today. For more information, please continue to read.

enterprise land surveyingLand Surveyors are professionals who measure and make precise measurements to determine the size and boundaries of a piece of real estate.  While this is a simplistic definition, boundary surveying is one of the most common types of surveying related to home and land owners. If you fall into the following categories, please click on the appropriate link for more information on that subject:

Enterprise Land Surveying services:

  1. I need to know where my property corners or property lines are. (Boundary Survey)
  2. I have a loan closing or re-finance coming up on my home in a subdivision. (Lot Survey)
  3. I need a map of my property with contour lines to show elevation differences for my architect or engineer. (Topo Survey)
  4. I've just been told I'm in a flood zone or I 've been told I need an elevation certificate in order to obtain flood insurance or prove I don't need it. (Flood Survey)
  5. I'm purchasing a lot/house in a recorded subdivision. (Lot Survey – See Boundary Survey)
  6. I'm purchasing a larger tract of land, acreage, that hasn't been subdivided in the past. (Boundary Survey)

If your needs don't fall into one of the above, don't worry, we'll get to the bottom of it. CALL Enterprise Land Surveying TODAY at (888) 936-8426 OR better yet, fill out a Contact Form request to discuss your survey needs.

Topographic Survey Clues That Help Builders Avoid Drainage Surprises

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Topographic survey showing drainage patterns and low areas on a new home site to help builders avoid water problems.

A topographic survey maps every rise and dip on a piece of land before a builder breaks ground. It shows where the high spots sit. It shows where the low spots collect water too. It also shows where rain will move once a storm rolls through. For builders working on new home sites, this information decides whether a yard drains well or turns into a swamp after the first hard rain. Many homes deal with water that gets in from outside the structure. Census data shows this is a common problem. Skipping the survey can lead to costly fixes once the foundation is already poured.

How a Topographic Survey Shows Where Rainwater Will Go

A topographic survey shows exactly where rainwater will travel across a lot, long before the first storm tests it. Every lot has a slope, even when it looks flat to the eye. The survey measures these slopes in close detail. It marks elevation points all across the property. Builders use this data to predict where water will move. Without this map, a builder is only guessing. The land can behave very differently during a real storm. A guess that misses the mark can show up months later.

Finding Low Areas Before They Turn Into Wet Spots

A topographic survey catches small dips in the ground long before they turn into standing water problems. These dips are easy to miss during a quick walk through a lot. They might only be a few inches deep, but that is still enough to hold water after a storm. Once a builder spots a dip on the map, the next steps become clear. Builders generally choose from three options:

  • Fill the low area with soil
  • Regrade so water flows away
  • Route a drain through the area

Catching a small dip on paper costs far less than fixing it later.

Why the Ground Around a House Matters

A topographic survey gives builders the exact grades they need to keep water moving away from the foundation instead of toward it. The land right next to a house needs to slope away from the foundation. If the ground tilts the wrong way, water pools against the walls. This happens every time it rains. Builders often follow a grading rule from the International Residential Code. This rule says the ground must drop at least six inches over the first ten feet. Getting this detail right protects the home for decades. Getting it wrong often leads to costly foundation repairs.

Planning Drainage Features Before Construction Starts

A topographic survey gives engineers the numbers they need to plan swales, culverts, and other drainage features correctly. Guesswork rarely produces a system that holds up during a heavy storm. Many engineers also pull rainfall numbers from a NOAA tool called Atlas 14. This tool tracks storm patterns by region. Skipping this step often leads to costly changes once construction starts.

Looking Beyond the Building Site for Water Problems

A topographic survey often maps the land around a lot too, not just the lot itself. Water rarely respects property line. Rain that falls on a neighboring lot can flow straight onto a new home site. A nearby hillside can do the same, even on a level site. One inch of rain falling on just one acre adds up to about twenty seven thousand gallons. That runoff has to go somewhere. A wider survey view helps builders understand where outside runoff is headed. They can prepare for it well before the first storm hits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a topographic survey?

A topographic survey shows the shape of the land, including slopes, hills, and low areas. It maps these features using exact elevation points across the property. Builders use this map to study the ground first.

Can a topographic survey help with drainage problems?

Yes. A topographic survey can show where water may collect or flow, which helps builders plan ahead. It catches problems on paper instead of in a finished yard.

Why do builders use a topographic survey?

Builders use a topographic survey to understand the land before grading, drainage work, and construction begin. The survey reveals slopes and low spots that affect water flow. This information helps builders avoid costly surprises later.

When should a topographic survey be done?

Builders usually order a topographic survey before construction starts so they can catch problems early. This gives them time to plan grading correctly. Waiting until after construction begins often costs more to fix.

Is a topographic survey useful for new home sites?

Yes. A topographic survey helps builders make smarter drainage decisions before homes are built. It also helps builders plan for water that flows in from nearby land.

When a Surveyor Finds a Fence That Does Not Match the Property Line

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Surveyor checking a backyard fence against marked property lines during a residential boundary survey.

A fence looks like a clear boundary. It runs along the yard, separates two properties, and gives everyone a sense of where one lot ends and the next begins. But fences are not legal property lines. A surveyor can measure a property and find that a fence sits several feet off from where the true line actually runs. This happens more often than most homeowners expect, and knowing what to do when it comes up makes the whole situation easier to handle.

Why Some Fences Do Not Follow the Property Line

Fences get built for many reasons. A prior owner may have put one up quickly without checking the official property records. Someone may have used an old stake or a landmark that seemed close enough at the time. In some cases, a handshake agreement between two neighbors years ago placed the fence where it seemed fair, not where the surveyed line was.

None of those methods produce a legal boundary. Only a licensed surveyor using official records and field measurements can establish where a property line truly sits. Over time, as properties change hands and memories fade, a fence built on rough estimates becomes something both sides treat as the real boundary. A survey is the only way to find out whether it actually is.

What a Surveyor Looks for When Checking a Fence

When a surveyor measures a property, they compare the fence location to the legal description recorded in the deed and the original plat. If the fence runs straight but the property line has an angle, those two won’t match. If a corner marker is missing or was placed incorrectly, the fence built from that marker will be off too.

Surveyors also look at how the fence connects to neighboring lines and whether the overall layout matches what the records show. A fence that curves or jogs in an unexpected spot may signal that whoever built it was working from incomplete information. The surveyor records exactly where the fence sits and exactly where the property line sits, so the difference between the two is clear.

What a Surveyor Does When a Fence Problem Is Found

When a surveyor finds that a fence doesn’t match the property line, they document it in the survey report. The report shows the location of the true property line and the location of the fence, along with the distance between them. That information is factual and based on measured data.

The surveyor’s job is to record what exists and where the line is. They don’t move fences or make legal decisions about what should happen next. But the survey report gives the homeowner a clear, documented picture of the situation. That document is what makes it possible to have an informed conversation with a neighbor or bring the information to a title company or attorney if needed.

Simple Ways Neighbors Can Handle Fence Questions

Finding out a fence is in the wrong spot doesn’t have to turn into a fight. In many cases, neighbors who see the survey results together can work out a simple solution without involving lawyers or courts. One neighbor may agree to adjust the fence. Both sides may decide to leave it in place and sign a written agreement that acknowledges the true property line.

Sharing the survey results calmly and giving the other party time to review them is a good first step. Most people respond better to a conversation that starts with facts than one that starts with accusations. A surveyor can also explain the findings directly to both parties if that helps. Clear information shared respectfully solves more fence problems than most homeowners expect.

Keeping Survey Records Can Help Avoid Future Problems

Once a survey is done and a fence question is resolved, keeping copies of all the survey documents is worth the effort. Those records show the true property line and document what was found and when. They become useful in several situations down the road.

When a homeowner wants to add a structure, sell the property, or apply for a permit, having a current survey on file speeds things up. Buyers and their lenders often ask for survey information during a sale, and having it ready avoids delays. If a new neighbor ever questions the boundary again, the existing survey provides a clear, dated answer. Good records prevent the same confusion from starting over with the next owner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would a surveyor find that a fence is not on the property line?

A fence may have been built using old information, rough measurements, or assumptions about where the boundary was. Only a licensed surveyor using official records can confirm where the true property line sits.

Can a surveyor tell if a fence is on the wrong property?

Yes. A surveyor measures the land and compares the fence location to the recorded legal description and plat. The survey report shows exactly where the fence sits relative to the true property line.

Does an old fence show the exact property line?

No. A fence shows where someone placed it, which may or may not match the true boundary. A survey provides the accurate, verified location of the property line.

What should I do if a surveyor finds a fence problem?

Review the survey results carefully and share them with your neighbor in a calm, straightforward way. Most fence questions can be worked out with good communication once both sides have the same accurate information.

Can a surveyor help prevent fence disputes in the future?

Yes. A survey provides clear boundary information based on official records and field measurements. Having that information documented helps homeowners avoid misunderstandings about property lines with current and future neighbors.

Residential Land Survey Issues That Can Delay a Fence, Shed, or Addition

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Residential land survey in a backyard showing property markers and measurements before building a fence, shed, or home addition.

Most homeowners don’t think about a survey until a project is already started. By then, the delay had already begun. A residential land survey done before construction can catch problems early. Missing corners, unclear lines, old records, and permit requirements can all stop a project. Finding these issues early is much easier than dealing with them after a contractor is already scheduled.

Missing Corner Markers Can Stop a Project Before It Starts

Corner markers show exactly where property lines meet. On older lots, those markers are often gone. Original iron pins or concrete posts set when the neighborhood was first built can get buried, paved over, or removed during yard work over the years.

When corners are missing, homeowners have no way to know exactly where their property lines are. Building a fence without confirmed corners means guessing. A fence built even a few inches onto a neighbor’s property creates a problem that costs time and money to fix. A residential land survey finds or replaces those corners so the project starts in the right spot.

Neighbor Disagreements About Property Lines Can Cause Delays

Disagreements between neighbors about where a boundary sits happen often. One homeowner thinks the line runs along an old fence. The neighbor has a different idea based on something a prior owner told them. Neither of those is a legal answer, and when one of them tries to build, the conflict shows up fast.

A residential land survey gives both sides something real to work from. It shows where the line is based on official records and field measurements. Starting a fence or addition without that information is a risk that often causes delays when a neighbor pushes back mid-construction.

Local Rules Can Limit Where a Structure Can Go

Local rules set minimum distances that structures must sit from property lines. These are called setbacks. A fence might be allowed close to the line, while a shed or addition needs to sit several feet back. Some homeowners associations have their own rules on top of local ones.

Without a current survey, homeowners don’t know exactly where their lines are. That makes it hard to confirm whether a planned structure meets the required distances. A survey gives the exact line locations needed to plan the project correctly. This helps avoid a permit rejection because the structure was placed too close to the line.

Old Property Records Can Point to the Wrong Location

Many residential lots have deeds and survey records that are very old. Some older records use reference points that no longer exist. A tree used as a corner marker may be gone. A road mentioned in the deed may have been moved years ago.

Relying on old records without checking them can send a project in the wrong direction. A homeowner who builds based on an old map may find out later that the information didn’t match current conditions. A current residential land survey checks what’s on the ground today against the recorded description. It finds any gaps before they become construction problems.

Missing Survey Documents Can Slow Down a Permit

Some permit applications require survey information before they move forward. A city or county building office may ask for a site plan that shows confirmed property lines. A homeowners association may need survey details before approving a new structure. Without a current survey, the application stalls while the homeowner tries to get one under time pressure.

Having a current residential land survey ready before submitting a permit saves time. It gives the reviewing office what it needs to process the application without sending it back. That can save weeks on a project that already has a contractor scheduled and materials ordered.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a residential land survey?

A residential land survey shows where property lines and corners are located on a lot. It gives homeowners verified measurements based on field work and official records.

Why do I need a residential land survey before building a fence?

A survey confirms exactly where the property lines are so the fence gets built in the right place. Without it, there is no reliable way to know if the fence crosses into a neighbor’s property.

Can a residential land survey help with a shed or home addition?

Yes. A survey shows the exact property line locations needed to confirm that a planned shed or addition meets the required setback distances before construction starts.

Do I need a new residential land survey if I already have an old one?

Possibly. Older surveys may not reflect changes that have happened over time. A current survey gives accurate, verified information based on present conditions.

Can a residential land survey help settle a property line dispute?

Yes. A survey shows where the property lines are based on official records and field measurements. That gives neighbors a clear, factual answer to boundary questions.