What is a land surveyor, and what services do New York licensed land surveyors offer?

A New York licensed land surveyor (LS) is a professional who uses applied mathematics and other technical and research skills to measure and plot: • the dimensions of any portion of the earth's surface (including natural and other structures); • the lengths and directions of boundary lines; and • the contour of the earth's surface. When would I use the services of a land surveyor? You might employ a licensed LS to: • perform a boundary survey to verify that a house, additions, and visible improvements are on the property as described in the deed; • subdivide property; • survey wetland boundaries; • complete FEMA elevation certificates for flood insurance; • determine if one property encroaches on another; • set property corner markers and layout proposed construction; • create topography to represent the slopes and elevations of property; and • lay out the individual building lots in a subdivision. Land surveyors also perform surveys of bodies of water (hydrographic surveys).