 Common Questions About Property Surveys
Barry E. Sakal Land Surveying provides commercial and residential
land surveys throughout the Pittsburgh region and in Southwestern, PA.
To learn more, please visit our
Surveying Services page, or learn about The
Sakal Difference.
If you do not see the answer to your question here, please feel free
to contact Barry E. Sakal Land Surveying at your earliest convenience.
We will be glad to speak with you.
How
much will my survey cost?
Each property survey is different,
affected by the unique nature of your property. Is the land wooded or
open? How large is the property? How many corners will need to be
marked? Is your need for a simple lot survey, or is the more extensive
ALTA (American Land Title) survey more appropriate to your goals? Once
we understand the scope and purpose of your survey, we will provide
guidance as to the most appropriate land survey type along with a firm
price quote.
How long will my
property survey take?
Small residential surveys are
usually completed within 1 to 2 weeks. Larger, commercial surveys may
take from 30 to 60 days, depending on the needs of the survey. We are
willing to consider expediting land surveys needed on a priority or
"emergency" basis.
How definitive are your surveys?
At Barry E. Sakal Land Surveying,
we consider our land surveys very authoritative. Owner Barry Sakal is
experienced in Boundary Law and has successfully defended our survey
results in a court room setting.
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 Are there different
types of land surveys?
There are many different types of
land surveys, from simple residential lot surveys to large acreage
woodland surveys. The Cadillac of surveys is referred to as the ALTA
(American Land Title) survey, which takes into account many detailed
factors, including utility access to the property. Knowing the purpose
for which a land survey is undertaken helps us determine the appropriate
extent and cost of your survey.
How do you perform a
property survey?
Barry E. Sakal Land Surveying
prides itself on exceedingly thorough surveys. Depending on survey
needs, our efforts include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Finding existing neighborhood and surrounding area marker
points.
- Researching courthouse records and other existing boundary
records.
- Utilizing the latest in GPS system (Global Positioning) results.
- Accessing US Geological Survey topographical maps and
orthometric aerial photographs.
- Computer research using Geographical Information Systems
(GIS) and C&G software.
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 Are GPS system surveys accurate?
There has never been a more
accurate way to perform a land survey than GPS (Global Positioning
System). Measurements with GPS are accurate to within 1/16th of an
inch.
Are you
licensed?
Yes. It is illegal to perform
survey work in Pennsylvania without a license.
Can
you survey in winter?
Yes. Anytime the leaves are down
is a great time to perform a land survey. All surveying equipment,
including our GPS system, work better when the leaves are down.
However, large snowfalls and below zero wind chills can make it
impossible to provide a survey to levels of accuracy we demand.
Is courthouse work always
necessary?
You may say "I have my deed, why
must you do courthouse research?" The answer is that a property survey
is like working a puzzle. Your neighborhood is the puzzle, and your
property is only one piece. To perform an accurate land survey, we must
make sure that your piece of the puzzle fits properly with all those
that surround it. For larger properties, and for properties not in a
recorded lot plan, we must often do extensive research into prior deeds
in order to resolve all discrepancies.
Where do you find the
starting point?
It is a common misconception with
land surveying that there are starting points to which all surveyors go
in order to perform an accurate land survey. In reality, very few land
surveys have known starting point. In doing a survey, we do find a
variety of marker points throughout your neighborhood, including iron
pins, monuments, wooden stakes, concrete markers, and more. These
physical markers are analyzed via computer and compared against
neighborhood deeds, in order to provide a solution that fits the highest
possible number of marker points.
Are you
insured?
Yes. However, your best protection
is the thorough level of work provided and our integrity. At Barry E. Sakal Land Surveying, we take every possible measure to eliminate
mistakes and provide land survey results we are comfortable defending in
court, should the need ever arise.
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Do I have
to be there?
99% of property surveys are
completed with our only customer contact being by phone. Nor do you
have to accompany us on the property while we perform the survey. With
our reputation for exceptional customer service, we work to make your
land survey process as painless as possible. From our firm quote to
your final report, we will treat you with the respect and care others
reserve only for their best customers.
More Than a Quarter Century of Experience
Hire a land surveyor with over 25 years experience, a land surveyor
with a knowledgeable foundation in records research and a reputation for
effectively employing the latest technologies.
Contact Us today for a firm, fair quote on
your land surveying needs.
Service Area
Barry E. Sakal Land Surveying provides accurate land survey
results for both commercial and residential clients throughout
Southwestern PA, including the Pittsburgh region and the communities of
Beaver, Blairsville, Connellsville, Cranberry,
Ebensburg, Greensburg, Irwin, Kittanning, Latrobe, Ligonier, Mt Pleasant, Murrysville, North Huntingdon, Ohiopyle, Seven Springs, Tionesta, Uniontown,
Waynesburg and more.
We have served clients in the counties of Allegheny, Armstrong,
Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Clarion, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Indiana,
Somerset, Washington, and
Westmoreland. Our services have been required as far a field as
Gettysburg, so please don't hesitate to
contact Sakal Land Surveying for your land surveying needs.
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