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Question for you surveyors (sorry but it's a touchy question)

Started by SwampDonkey, December 19, 2005, 12:52:03 PM

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SwampDonkey

My folks bought a lot that was surveyed by a registered land surveyor who put his pins in the gound to mark the corners. This is a development and they've owned the lot now 4 years. There are lots below by folks' lot that were also marked with pins at the same time. The surveyor was there to the lot at least twice to show my folks the corners. They then did their landscaping accordingly. Now this same surveyor comes and decides the pins were in the wrong place and pulls up the pins and leaves. Now my folks are owners of a new patch (triangle shape) of unlandscaped land and the neighbour beside them have a piece of land, my folks landscaped, free of charge.  ::) As a landowner, would you not want to persue the surveyor for this mistake and charge him with landscaping this non landscaped piece? Surely the landowner doesn't absorb this because of a surveyor's incompetance.  :P
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

Gilman

I'd call the state's board of licensed engineers and get their opinion.  Seems like a pretty straight forward situation. 
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slowzuki

I believe they are required to carry insurance for this type of mistake.  Were the pins registered yet?  We have pins on our property but they are not the law, only indicators, the law is the numbers on the registered survey plan.

Larry

There is insurance for those kind of mistakes...its called insurance for "errors and omissions".  Most surveyors don't have it because it is super expensive.  For the most part seems the surveyor takes the attitude there not responsible unless it is something they can correct with very little trouble or expense.

Don't think it is right...but I'm not a surveyor.  Maybe they have a reason for what they do.
Larry, making useful and beautiful things out of the most environmental friendly material on the planet.

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Black_Bear

SwampDonkey:

I am not a LLS, but I plan to be in less than a years time.

Contrary to what Gilman wrote, I doubt the situation will end up being "straight forward". There is a lot of "gray area" when dealing with boundary law. Mainly because boundary law stems from statute law and case law that may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

I can offer to post your problem on a surveying message board that is similar to this one, except it pertains to surveying issues. Actually they talk about anything on that board, but the surveyors there are topnotch.

I guess there are two obvious questions:

1.) Where is the lot located (State or Province)?

2.) Did the surveyor set new pins to mark the "true" location of your parents lot?

I'm not sure about Canadian jursidiction, but here is my take on it if the lot is in the U.S.

It seems as though your parents and their neighbor(s) have relied upon the original boundaries set by the surveyor. Generally, if an error in a survey is discovered and others have relied upon the boundaries as marked, the remedies are in the form of a quit-claim swap or an affidavit to clarify the record. The fact that the surveyor "pulls up the pins and leaves" seems absurd, but I do not have all of the facts.

Another question to think about is: does this constitute negligence or was it simply a blunder? This may be the basis for a case your parents may have.

Also, there may be a case for acquiescence, but that may depend on the jurisdiction.

It is hard to determine an answer without all of the facts, but if you would like I can be your liason to the RPLS message board. Or you can log in and ask the question yourself. Not to slight anyone on this board, but I think you will be surprised by the responses you get on the RPLS board. They live and die by surveying and boundary law and they love to discuss cases such as this one. There are Canadian surveyors on that board also if the lot is in Canada.

Ed  

Modat22

If he pulled pins and didn't spot new ones he is breaking a law but its hard to prove he did it.

Sounds like he's trying to cover his behind by showing that he did no work, or perhaps he wasn't paid for the job and is removing pin.

The survey points should be on file at the planning office somewhere.

I'm not totally sure I'm 100 percent right in my statements above, I worked for a surveyor for a span less than 1 year.
remember man that thy are dust.

DanG

I don't know the answer, but there should be some sort of recourse for a landowner to persue.  I have a situation that has been smoldering for several years.  It hasn't escalated to unpleasantry because the neighbor involved is a good one, and neither of us want to spoil our friendship.  Basically, her land has changed hands 3 times in the past few years because of deaths in the family. Also the place that borders both of our tracts has changed hands several times.  Each time it has been surveyed, the border between us has been moved, as much as 27 feet, one time.  As far as I know, the same survey company has done all of them.  Something is rotten in our little corner of Denmark, and I'd like to know what it is! ??? ::)

One other thing;  I think that a surveyor should at least have to explain something to a landowner if he moves a boundary.  I stand to lose over an acre of land in this deal if the latest move stands.  We haven't heard a peep out of the surveyor. >:(
"I don't feel like an old man.  I feel like a young man who has something wrong with him."  Dick Cavett
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farmerdoug

Here in the US title insurance covers that kind of problem.   I know of a problem up at Grand Traverse Bay.  The surveyor marked the plots parralell to the road.  20 years later the title insurance company found out the lots were platted paralell to the bay.  All of the lots were marked off 45 degrees.  ::) Just think of the mess that caused.  Houses and out buildings were built on the wrong lots.  The owners without title insurance lost out big time. :o


Farmerdoug
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beenthere

Does the legal description of your folks lot fit with the original pin placement? or with the new 'lot' line?  Seems that legal description would be the 'bottom line' and the plat of the development would also tell the location.

I have similar experience with 'surveyors' as DanG has had, and each time they come through there is a different placement of the corner stakes. Over 40 years I have been here, it is amazing the different placements of a ¼¼ corner with respect to the Section corner, and its only 1320 feet away. One would think that measurement would be easier than within 7' (I expect they taped it, and didn't just 'step' it off   :) ).
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SwampDonkey

Quote from: Black_Bear on December 19, 2005, 01:29:57 PM
I can offer to post your problem on a surveying message board that is similar to this one, except it pertains to surveying issues. Actually they talk about anything on that board, but the surveyors there are topnotch.

I guess there are two obvious questions:

1.) Where is the lot located (State or Province)?

2.) Did the surveyor set new pins to mark the "true" location of your parents lot?

I'm not sure about Canadian jursidiction, but here is my take on it if the lot is in the U.S.
Ok answers to your questions:

1) Province of NB

2) No new pins were set when he pulled the old pins and the survey is all recorded in the registry office before they built or landscaped. As far as pulling up the stakes to cover his behind there are several witnesses that know they were there in place for 4 years.

QuoteIt seems as though your parents and their neighbor(s) have relied upon the original boundaries set by the surveyor. Generally, if an error in a survey is discovered and others have relied upon the boundaries as marked, the remedies are in the form of a quit-claim swap or an affidavit to clarify the record. The fact that the surveyor "pulls up the pins and leaves" seems absurd, but I do not have all of the facts.

Seems to me if I was a surveyor I'de be measuring from a known position at the set distance and bearing to each pin. These pins had an inscription on top stating the surveyors name his license number and 'Penalty for Removal'. The guy played dumb when my folks informed him that it was he that was there and pointed out the pins and their location. He doesn't deny surveying it though.

As far as 'Errors and Ommissions', I know what that is. It's gone double in two years I carried it and I never had any claim. There is only one insurance company that will insure you for that in Canada. ENCON. Last I paid those leeches was over $4000 because they tack on General Liability as well.

I would appreciate it if you posted this enquiry on that site, and see what comes of it.

Thanks  :)


"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

SwampDonkey

Quote from: beenthere on December 19, 2005, 03:10:10 PM
Does the legal description of your folks lot fit with the original pin placement? or with the new 'lot' line?  Seems that legal description would be the 'bottom line' and the plat of the development would also tell the location.

I have similar experience with 'surveyors' as DanG has had, and each time they come through there is a different placement of the corner stakes. Over 40 years I have been here, it is amazing the different placements of a ¼¼ corner with respect to the Section corner, and its only 1320 feet away. One would think that measurement would be easier than within 7' (I expect they taped it, and didn't just 'step' it off   :) ).

According to the information he told them today, the lots are square with the road. What was originally stated was that they were not square with the road and the original platt map shows they are square. They were told to go with the way it was marked by the pins in the field. Now he comes and pulls the pins and tells my folks the lot is north another 68 feet.  ::) The property was registered in May 2001. They talked to the Development Officer who advised them to see a lawyer and take pictures.
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

Tom

Roads Move.   I know of several situations where the road moved onto someone's property and the markers ended up in the road.  It would be real easy for a surveyor to pull them out stick them back at the edge of the road where they "looked better".

My Granddad lost 3 or 4 feet of his side yard because of the installation of a sidewalk which was used for further surveys instead of the road.  It changed the Right of Way measurements somehow and moved everybody's property line about 3 feet.  I don't know if it was ever straightened out to everybody's satisfaction.  Those guys are supposed to measure off of monuments.  Sometimes they just don't want to go the mile to where it is.   I would be leary of "official" language such as 'from the middle of the road', or from 'chet's fence', or the big pine is the corner.


SwampDonkey

Quote from: Tom on December 19, 2005, 03:49:46 PM
Roads Move.   I know of several situations where the road moved onto someone's property and the markers ended up in the road.  It would be real easy for a surveyor to pull them out stick them back at the edge of the road where they "looked better".

My Granddad lost 3 or 4 feet of his side yard because of the installation of a sidewalk which was used for further surveys instead of the road.  It changed the Right of Way measurements somehow and moved everybody's property line about 3 feet.  I don't know if it was ever straightened out to everybody's satisfaction.  Those guys are supposed to measure off of monuments.  Sometimes they just don't want to go the mile to where it is.   I would be leary of "official" language such as 'from the middle of the road', or from 'chet's fence', or the big pine is the corner.

Tom down at the grave yard, where it is adjacent to the river bank.....Everytime the bank gives way into the river the NB Power commission send surveyors up to adjust the pins in toward the graveyard. My uncle has witnessed this several times as he's care taker of the grave yard.

On one of our farms somebody moved the road beyond where it ever was. In fact if it were where they say it is now, it would have gone through the dining room window of the house that used to sit there for over 100 years when the land was first granted. It would also have been within 5 feet of the well head.  ::)

We also lost a few acres on the same farm because someone used a highway instead of the crown reserved road where the measurement should have been based. The neighbor moved in and clear cut our ground. We had it fixed up later, we did get stumpage for the wood. I still say the adjacent owner knew he was in the wrong, I didn't see any wood cut on his side of the fence.  The line at the time was not marked either. We found out when we surveyed it before we sold some stumpage. ::)
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

Black_Bear

SD:

All of the pertinent information has posted on the RPLS website. I do not know what type of response you will get, but it is posted.

Log on to this website:   http://www.i-boards.com/bnp/pob/

You will not be able to post to the board unless you register, but you can read the responses.

Ed

Larry

SD, you might try running the property description to see if you have closure to the POB.  I've checked a lot of surveys and property descriptions...that seems to be the most common error I've found.  It will drive a surveyor nuts until he figures out what's wrong.
Larry, making useful and beautiful things out of the most environmental friendly material on the planet.

We need to insure our customers understand the importance of our craft.

Modat22

If its not a giant description I can run it on acad and see if it closes and send you a jpg showing how the bearings flow.

I'd rather keep it kinda small say 20 to 40 lines, I'll number the lines to the descriptions to keep my typing to a minimum.

Let me know.
remember man that thy are dust.

SwampDonkey

Quote from: Modat22 on December 19, 2005, 04:39:16 PM
If its not a giant description I can run it on acad and see if it closes and send you a jpg showing how the bearings flow.

I'd rather keep it kinda small say 20 to 40 lines, I'll number the lines to the descriptions to keep my typing to a minimum.

Let me know.

It's likely going to look fine on paper, problem is where it was marked by pins in the field, which were in place for 4 years. My folks are always getting screwed over.  ::)
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

Murf

Cut straight to the chase.    http://www.anbls.nb.ca/

Things are very different as far as things like property law and registration go between Canada & the US.

Liability insurance is not an option in Canada, all surveyors, engineers and architects are required by law to have it. No insurance, no license, period.

In most cases in Canada where the survey bars were planted do not affect ownership if they were planted wrongly. It is usually the registered description that holds. Liability is a different kettle of fish though.
If you're going to break a law..... make sure it's Murphy's Law.

asy

Swampy,

Have you also thought about having another surveyor from another company come and do a check survey to make sure that the pegs are NOW in the right place, and that the other pegs that he didn't move are correct?

Best to make sure prior to taking any action, just in case your problem is bigger than you currently know :(

There should be someone who specialises in 'check surveys', might have to ring the governing body of surveyors to find them though...

asy :D
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There cannot be a crisis next week. ~My schedule is already full..

SwampDonkey

Quote from: Murf on December 19, 2005, 04:49:52 PM
Liability insurance is not an option in Canada, all surveyors, engineers and architects are required by law to have it. No insurance, no license, period.

Yeah, but liability does not cover errors and ommissions, that's an insurance on top of general liability.
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

WH_Conley

SwampDonkey, you have my sympathy and understanding. I am currently in a dispute because someone in the past used a fold in a topo map as the property line and not the fence that is called for, corporation owns the adjoining property, they have done this before to other people in the county, and the nightmare continues.
Bill

Bill H

SD they should have some type of recourse against the surveyor, what I'm not sure  :-\. In Ky I could give you a proper answer but am unfamiliar with property law north of the border. Watch the RPLS site because most of those guys are exellent. Bill KY PLS 3728
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Ron Scott

Swamp,

Has there been any resolution yet to the survey problem?
~Ron

maple flats

My experience in New York State is that a new surveror will not come to re-check a survey for that purpose. You must make your request the correct way or they decline. Just call far a new survey and do not say you are having a problem with a previous survey. By the way, I doubt the first surveyor refunded his fee when he removed the stakes, correct. Now they paid for a survey that was not apparently done. However if the survey was the adjoining property and not theirs even thou they think they share a common boundry they likely have little they can do about it. If your parents paid for the survey they should be duly compensated, IMHO
logging small time for years but just learning how,  2012 36 HP Mahindra tractor, 3point log arch, 8000# class excavator, lifts 2500# and sets logs on mill precisely where needed, Woodland Mills HM130Max , maple syrup a hobby that consumes my time. looking to learn blacksmithing.

SwampDonkey

Ron, funny you should ask. The surveyor was back monday I think and I haven't had a chance to talk with the folks over it. Mother said father was talking with him and they were looking where the origiaal markers were set. I may find out today what he was back the second time for. One thing for sure if the folks have to do additional landscaping, he's going to be getting the bill.  >:(
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

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