Boundary Surveys

A boundary survey involves undertaking detailed research and physical measurements to determine the boundaries of a property or piece of land. It is conducted by a land surveyor either to establish or reestablish the legal boundaries of a property.

A boundary survey plays an important role in determining property rights and ownership, including when the information is required to settle disputes or uncertainties about the boundaries.

During a boundary survey, a surveyor will physically locate the boundary lines using tools such as GPS, total stations and electronic distance measurement devices. To be able to clearly indicate the position of the boundary, the surveyor will often place new survey boundary markers or monuments along the property boundaries. 

The surveyor will also conduct a thorough examination of any available property records or other legal documents such as title deeds, historical records or aerial photographs. 

Once the survey is complete, the surveyor will prepare a boundary survey report. This certified document shows the boundary lines, landmarks and any other relevant information that is required.

To be able to establish the exact property lands which divide a parcel of land, a boundary survey is often required. Also known as a boundary line survey, our chartered surveyors conduct physical surveys of the land and also consult historical records to determine the exact measurements.

To get a quote for a boundary survey in Greater Manchester, Merseyside or Lancashire, please give us a call on 0161 696 3119.

Once we understand the scope of your project, including whether you also require additional services we can then provide you with an estimate for how much your boundary survey will cost.

When you are unsure of the property boundary you may need to instruct a surveyor to carry out a boundary marking survey.

At Anderton Gables, our land surveyors perform boundary surveys for a multitude of reasons. 

Boundary disputes are the most common reason why a boundary survey may be needed, including due to boundary encroachment or if the boundaries are required to support a legal case. 

Additionally, boundary surveys can assist in the sale of land, easement or right of way issues, land development applications, building expansion plans or insurance purposes. 

If you want to know whether a boundary survey could be useful for your particular commercial concern, please contact us to find out more.

Sometimes, an informal discussion can be all it takes to resolve a boundary issue with a neighbour. 

However, where these initial discussions do not reach an amicable resolution, or where precise boundary information is required (i.e. due to the sale of land), it’s time to appoint an expert. 

As chartered land surveyors specialising in boundary work, we can not only physically survey the site but also check any background information such as historical documents or aerial photographs. 

Crucially, as the Land Registry typically only gives general boundary information, we can use our expertise to clarify any aspects that are currently being disputed. Our subsequent surveyor’s report can also be used to provide evidence should the matter progress to arbitration or a court tribunal. 

Many land and property owners request a legal boundary survey. In reality, the process of making the information legal can be more complex. 

A boundary survey can certainly provide factual evidence when undergoing legal proceedings relating to the position of a boundary. However, the final outcome can only be made by a judge, or by two neighbours who agree to formally document the boundary decision.

The ‘General Boundaries Rule’ has existed in England since 1875. It describes a general indication of where the boundaries lie. This information can be found when you purchase the title deeds from The Land Registry. 

Crucially, it is referred to as a general boundary, as The Land Registry is not responsible for outlining the precise boundaries which divide individual parcels of land. 

Therefore, a boundary survey conducted by a qualified surveyor is the only way to determine the actual boundary. The only exception is if the title deed contains a notice saying the boundary has been determined or agreed upon. 

Naturally, anyone in search of a boundary survey in Manchester or our surrounding areas across the North West may be concerned with the accuracy of the survey data.

As RICS surveyors, we employ both the best tools as well as our vast knowledge to produce highly accurate boundary surveys. 

Generally speaking, our surveying equipment includes 3D laser scanners, GPS, total stations and drones. The most common equipment used for a boundary survey includes 3D laser scanners and GPS. 

The benefit of GPS in particular is that it is not only extremely reliable but can vastly cut the time it takes to perform a boundary survey. Even if there is a desire not to rely on GPS for the final boundary measurement, the data can still provide a useful backup measurement.

The Land Registry can provide details of the general boundaries of a property or piece of land. However, in England and Wales, the exact boundary is usually not recorded. 

Instead, when wanting a definite answer of where the boundaries lie, you will need to instruct a surveyor to conduct a boundary survey. For residential property, this is sometimes referred to as a house boundary survey or a home boundary survey.

As part of our commercial services, we can help determine the exact location of your property or land boundary to satisfy a number of objects. These include preventing legal disputes, ensuring compliance, facilitating property transactions, supporting development projects and identifying rights of way.

If your organisation is based in Manchester, Liverpool, Preston or the surrounding areas and you need a copy of your land boundary survey, please contact us to arrange a survey. Our surveyors will visit your site to conduct the survey so that we can provide you with the required documentation.

At Anderton Gables, we conduct both boundary surveys and land surveys for our clients across the North West of the UK. 

While there are some similarities between both survey types, there are also some major differences between a boundary and a land survey. 

As the name suggests, the purpose of a boundary survey is to determine the location of the boundaries on a piece of land. Often, this information can be required to resolve disputes, to facilitate the sale of the land or when needing to replace the boundary itself. The survey covers aspects such as property corners, boundary lines, easements and encroachments.

When a more detailed assessment of the land is needed, a land survey can include the location boundary lines. However, it will also include other features such as elevation changes, existing structures, vegetation and water features. Often, this information is needed when looking to develop or build on the land, or when needing to study the environmental features of the land. 

Unsure which survey type you require? Please get in touch with the team here at Anderton Gables so we can provide you with tailored advice.