Here are a few quick answers to many questions you may have, or just some information or knowledge you are seeking.
Q. Can anybody survey land in North Carolina?
A. North Carolina law NC 89C states that only a registered land surveyor can practice land surveying in North Carolina.
Q. Where do you survey?
A. Appalachian PLS&C conducts surveys in Watauga County and surrounding counties Ashe, Wilkes Caldwell and Avery.
Q. Do you use GPS to do land surveys?
A. We uses GPS to tie our surveys to the North Carolina Grid System but the boundaries are meas-ured and located using theodolites and electric distance measuring devices.
Q. Can I find my corners using hand held GPS?
A. If you are comfortable with the math required you can get an approximate location (+/- 30 feet) with handheld GPS which is far inferior to the acceptable accuracy required of a land surveyor.
Q. Can I use my compass to find my corners?
A. Deeds recorded in North Carolina are varied in the bearing system used and your deed may be relative to magnetic north which varies over time, true north which is constant and relative to the poles of the earth or NCGS north which is based on a flat projection of the state of North Carolina
Q. How many feet are there in a “pole”?
A. 16.5 – The pole or rod was used as a unit of linear measurement in most of the older surveys in northwestern North Carolina. Four poles constitute a chain which was used as a unit of linear measurement in early American surveying and ten square chains make up our standard acre.
Q. Should I get my property surveyed?
A. If you know with confidence where your corners and lines are located there is no need for a property survey unless it is required by a bank or a buyer.
Q. How much will my survey cost?
A. Surveying cost are dependent on time spent in the field, office and records research. Many fac-tors affect this time. A “fee schedule” should be used to determine the final cost of a survey however surveyors with many surveys under their belt can give a good estimate of final cost but keep in mind that there are actually some surveys that can’t be completed at all and require legal attention.
Q. Do I get a plat with my survey?
A. The final product of a survey is a “report of survey” and in most cases this is a signed and sealed plat but in some cases like staking a line for fence construction this may simply be a written report.
Q. Is your company registered?
A. Yes Appalachian Professional Land Surveyors and Consultants, PA C-2398, Frank L. Hayes L-1488 and Donald H. McNeil L-2809 are all registered by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.