LAND SURVEYING IN 
This information was taken directly from the Association of Nova Scotia Land
Surveyors website: http://www.ansls.ca/
WHEN DO YOU NEED A SURVEY?
To ensure your interests are served and investments protected, retain the services of a
Nova Scotia Land Surveyor when:
You need to know the location of the boundaries of your property.
You intend to develop, subdivide, sell or lease any land.
You intend to buy, invest in, or build on any property.
You are concerned about encroachments which could affect the ownership or use
of the property.
HOW TO OBTAIN A SURVEY
Contact the Nova Scotia Land Surveyor of your choice, either by telephone, fax, letter
or, preferably, in person. The office of the Association of Nova Scotia Land Surveyors
can provide a current listing, or the "Yellow Pages" of the telephone directory under
"Surveyors-Land" will provide a listing of land surveyors in private practice in your area.
Initial discussion should clarify the purpose and extent of the survey. Provide any
relevant information which will assist the NSLS, such as deeds, plans of survey, abstracts
of title or location of known boundaries or corner markers.
It may be possible for the NSLS to provide an estimate of time and cost once all the
major factors relating to the survey are known. Without prior investigation of the site to
be surveyed or a thorough examination of relevant property and survey records, it may
not be possible to provide an accurate estimate of time and professional fees. Estimates
should be in writing and include the upper limit of anticipated fees and deadlines for
completion of service whenever possible. The surveyor may request written authorization
before proceeding.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY A NOVA SCOTIA LAND SURVEYOR
1) Lot Survey
A survey to determine the boundaries of a parcel of land, resulting in survey markers
being set at all corners. A certified plan of the survey is prepared when required or
requested by the client.
2) Surveyor's Location Certificate
A survey and plan prepared to certify the location of buildings and other features on the
lot relative to the boundaries. This survey may be necessary to obtain building permits or
mortgages.
3) Subdivision Survey
This certified plan and survey prepared by a NSLS creates new lots or changes the
boundaries of existing lots. The NSLS can assist you through all the subdivision and
planning steps leading to final municipal approval and registration of the subdivision.
4) Retracement Survey
This survey re-establishes original old boundary lines and replaces corner markers that
have been lost or obscured by forest utilization, construction activities or the passage of
time. A certified plan may be prepared as part of the survey.
5) Related Services
The Nova Scotia Land Surveyor provides other services not specifically related to the
determination of real property boundaries. These services include topographic and
hydrographic surveys on land or water; precise construction layout and "as built"
surveys; accident surveys; condominium surveys; preparation of reports; legal descriptions; acquiring and compiling spatial information for geographic information
systems; and the application of global positioning technology.
FEES FOR PROFESSIONAL SURVEY SERVICES
There are many variables which affect the cost of professional survey services. Fees are
generally based on the time spent on the project by the NSLS and technical staff.
Services provided by a NSLS may include any or all of the following:
Consulting with the client or their agents throughout the project.
Searching for deeds, plans and other documents from government and private
sources.
Time spent at the site of the survey.
Consulting with other professionals when necessary.
Analyzing and assessing field survey and documentary evidence.
Performing computations and pre-paring survey plans and reports.
Preparing and submitting applications on behalf on the client.
THE NOVA SCOTIA LAND SURVEYOR
Legal surveys are those which are directly or indirectly concerned with determining or
establishing boundaries of land.
Only a Nova Scotia Land Surveyor (NSLS) is legally qualified to survey and certify the
location of boundaries of real property in Nova Scotia. All NSLS s accept full responsibility
for their professional work.
Professional land surveying calls for accuracy, precision, logical thinking, sound judgement
and a high degree of technical skill. Land surveyors must have special knowledge of legal,
planning and engineering principles as they relate to surveying.
The NSLS works in close association with other professionals, including architects,
planners, engineers and lawyers. The NSLS frequently appears in court to give evidence
as an expert witness.
Knowing the exact location of your property boundaries provides peace of mind and
enables land owners to carry out projects on their land without fear of costly encroachments or legal proceedings. The NSLS will mark the boundaries and advise on
how the existing features relate to the proposed plans. He or she can also provide
information on municipal zoning regulations that may affect the land.
All NSLS s who offer professional services to the public carry professional liability
insurance.
It is the professional duty of the NSLS to establish boundaries in their original position in
an unbiased manner and in accordance with accepted legal principles.