Here’s What You Need to Know About Surveying and Subdivision Fees
If you’re a landowner looking to confirm or realign your boundary lines, you’re likely wondering how much you’ll be paying for land surveying and subdivision fees.
The fee varies depending on the type of survey needed, features of the land and how many lots are to be created. However, there is a common misconception out there that the cost will be a lot less than the more realistic price that is quoted.
Like most things in life, when it comes to land surveying you get what you pay for – and if your surveying is not done right the first time it can be a disaster. From planning and construction delays, to legal issues and cost blowouts, it can cause some serious headaches!
When sourcing quotes, it’s always tempting to opt for the cheapest. But when you understand the work involved in land surveying and the expertise required to complete a thorough and high-quality job, you may think twice about choosing your surveyor based on price alone.
So, to make it easy to spot real value in a quote, we’ve put together an overview of what you should be getting for your surveying and subdivision fees to help you find the best surveyor for your project.
Licensed is a Must
To meet legal requirements in Victoria, a licensed land surveyor is the only person who can perform surveys to identify and realign property boundaries. So, the first question you should always ask when getting quotes is whether your surveyor is fully licensed.
A qualified and licensed land surveyor has spent years learning and developing their expertise. This includes four years of university, plus two years working in the field before obtaining their licence. They’ve learnt how to perform their work with precision and accuracy and know exactly what is required to ensure every legal box is ticked. These skills and knowledge are essential to delivering accurate surveying work.
Experience Counts
While training and schooling is an essential step towards becoming an expert in your field, there are certain things that can only be learned on the job. A surveyor who has managed surveying and subdivision projects both large and small, on land worth millions of dollars, has the experience to deliver high-quality work. They’ll get the job done efficiently and effectively and support you through each step to simplify and fast-track the process.
Other Considerations
When quoting a project, there’s much more to it than the on-site work alone. The project cost also needs to cover the behind the scenes stuff, such as insurances (public liability, business, professional indemnity and Workcover), wages, equipment, operating costs and the time spent both on-site and back at the office putting together your plans, reports and council submissions, etc.
If you have been quoted XXX by one surveyor and XXX by another, make sure you ask questions before accepting the lower quote. Are they licensed? Insured? Experienced? If not, you could be exposing yourself to potential legal problems down the track and putting your project at risk.
Look Beyond the Price
While price is obviously a huge factor with any purchase, it’s important to make sure you’re getting true value in your surveying quote. Look for qualifications, experience, reputation and quality work as well as a fair price, and you’re sure to be happy with your decision in both the short and long-term.