A common use of a surveyor is to determine a legal property boundary.

Firstly copies of the deed description, maps of the adjoining properties, any records from the municipality or county, utility maps and any records of surveys are obtained.

Depending on which region the survey is located, some or most of this information may not be available or even exist.

After this data is gathered and analysed the field survey may commence.

The initial survey operations should be concentrated on locating monuments.

In the absence of monuments property corners marked by iron pins, metal survey markers, iron pipes and other features that may establish a line of possession should be located.

When the approximate positions for the boundaries of the property have been located a traverse is run around the property.

While the control traverse is being run, ties should be measured and all details relevant to the boundaries should be acquired. This includes but is not limited to locating the property corners, monuments, fences, hedge rows, walls, walks and all buildings on the lot.

This data is then collected and compared to the records that were received.

When a solution is reached the property corners that are chosen as those that best fit all the data are coordinated and ties by direction and distance are computed from the nearest traverse point.

Once this has been established the features on the lot can be drawn, dimensions can be shown from these features to the boundary line and a map or plan is prepared for the client.