Fence companies find property lines through a combination of meticulous research, advanced technology, and professional surveying to ensure fences are installed accurately and legally within a property's boundaries.
How Do Fence Companies Pinpoint Property Lines?
Accurately determining property lines is critical for any fence installation project to avoid legal disputes with neighbors and ensure compliance with local zoning laws. Fence companies employ several methods, ranging from historical document review to modern technological solutions.
1. Professional Land Surveys
The most definitive and legally recognized method for establishing property lines is a professional land survey. While fence companies typically don't conduct full surveys themselves, they often advise homeowners to obtain one, or they work closely with licensed surveyors.
- Licensed Surveyors: These professionals use specialized equipment (like total stations and GPS/GNSS receivers) to precisely locate property corners and boundary lines based on official legal descriptions.
- Survey Plats: The outcome of a survey is a detailed map or plat that shows all property corners, boundary lengths, and any easements or encroachments. Fence companies use these plats as the definitive guide.
- Benefits: A current, certified survey eliminates guesswork, provides legal protection, and prevents costly mistakes.
2. Analyzing Property Deeds and Records
Before any physical work begins, reputable fencing companies dive into historical property deeds and records. These documents, usually maintained by local government offices such as the county recorder's or assessor's office, provide crucial information about past property lines, land divisions, and ownership history. This research helps to:
- Verify Legal Descriptions: Deeds contain the legal description of the property, which is a written explanation of the boundaries that can be translated into a physical location.
- Identify Historical Changes: Understanding previous subdivisions or property line adjustments can shed light on existing markers or discrepancies.
- Supplement Surveys: Even with a recent survey, historical records can provide context or help resolve ambiguities.
3. Locating Existing Property Markers
Often, property lines are marked by physical monuments or markers placed by surveyors during previous surveys. Fence companies actively look for these indicators:
- Iron Pins or Rebar: These are common at property corners, sometimes capped with plastic or aluminum markers bearing the surveyor's license number.
- Concrete Monuments: Less common in residential areas, but larger properties or commercial lots might have concrete markers.
- Old Fences or Structures: While not always accurate indicators of the true property line, existing fences or retaining walls can offer clues and starting points for investigation.
4. Utilizing Cutting-Edge Technology
Modern technology plays an increasingly significant role in property line identification:
- GPS/GNSS Equipment: High-precision GPS (Global Positioning System) or GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) devices can be used to locate approximate property corners based on geographic coordinates from property records. While not as precise as a professional survey for legal boundaries, they are excellent for initial plotting and verification.
- GIS Mapping Systems: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide digital maps that integrate property data, aerial imagery, and topographical information, allowing for preliminary visualizations of property lines.
- Metal Detectors: These are often used in conjunction with property maps to locate buried iron pins or rebar.
5. Client Information and Collaboration
Homeowners often possess valuable documents that can assist in identifying property lines:
- Previous Surveys or Plot Plans: Homeowners may have a copy of an older survey or a plot plan from when they purchased the house. While potentially outdated, these can provide a starting point.
- Builder's Plans: New construction homes often come with site plans detailing property boundaries.
- Neighbor Collaboration: In some cases, discussions with neighbors who have already surveyed their property or have clear understanding of shared boundaries can be helpful, though always cross-referenced with official records.
Summary of Methods
| Method | Description | Reliability | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Land Survey | Conducted by a licensed surveyor using precise instruments to locate and mark official boundaries. | High (Legal) | Essential for definitive boundary establishment, resolving disputes. |
| Analyzing Property Deeds & Records | Reviewing historical documents at local government offices for legal descriptions, land divisions, and ownership history. | High | Foundational research, understanding property's legal definition. |
| Locating Existing Markers | Searching for physical pins, rebar, or monuments placed during previous surveys. | Medium-High | Verifying known or suspected corners, especially with a survey plat. |
| Utilizing Cutting-Edge Technology | Using GPS/GNSS devices for approximate locations and GIS for visual mapping; metal detectors for finding buried markers. | Medium | Preliminary checks, field verification, finding buried pins. |
| Client Information & Collaboration | Reviewing homeowner's existing documents (old surveys, plot plans) and discussing with neighbors (with caution). | Low-Medium | Initial assessment, gathering existing information, guiding further investigation. |
By combining these methods, fence companies ensure that your new fence is installed accurately, minimizing potential issues and maximizing your property's value and privacy.
