How To Read A Land Survey Measurements

So, there I was, standing in my overgrown backyard, a pile of dusty papers in my hand, and a look of confusion on my face. I'd just bought this old house, and I was trying to figure out where my property lines were. The previous owner had left me with a bunch of land survey measurements, but they might as well have been written in Greek for all the sense they made to me. Sound familiar?

Don't worry, you're not alone. Land survey measurements can look like a whole other language, filled with mysterious symbols and numbers. But fear not, dear reader! Today, we're going to demystify those measurements and have you reading them like a pro in no time.

First Things First: What Are We Dealing With?

Before we dive in, let's quickly understand what we're looking at. Land survey measurements are essentially the blueprint of your property. They tell you where your boundaries are, how big your plot is, and where you can (and can't) build. They're usually drawn up by a licensed surveyor and given to you as a map, along with a bunch of measurements and notes.

Now, those notes are what we're going to focus on today. They're usually written in a format called metes and bounds, which is basically a fancy way of saying 'measures and directions'. It's like a treasure map, but instead of 'three paces north', you've got '100 feet north, 45 degrees east'.

Let's Talk Numbers: Bearings and Distances

Alright, let's start with the numbers. You'll see a lot of them in your survey, and they fall into two categories: bearings and distances.

Bearings are like compass directions. They tell you where you're going. You'll see them written like this: 'N30°15'W'. That means 'north, 30 degrees west'. Easy enough, right?

Distances, on the other hand, are just what they sound like. They tell you how far you're going in that direction. You'll see them written like this: '150.00 feet'. That means '150 feet'. Simple!

How To Read a Survey Plan

So, when you see something like 'N30°15'W, 150.00 feet', you know you're going 150 feet north, 30 degrees west. Got it? Great!

Now, Let's Talk Symbols: The Mysterious Metes

Remember those mysterious symbols I mentioned earlier? Those are the 'metes' part of 'metes and bounds'. They're like little road signs, telling you what's coming up next. Here are a few common ones:

• T: This means 'thence'. It's just a fancy way of saying 'then'. So, 'Go north, then go east' would be 'N, 100 feet, T E, 50 feet'.
• Ch: This means 'chaining'. It's an old surveying term that means 'measuring'. So, 'Ch 50 feet' means 'measure 50 feet'.
• S: This means 'side'. It's used when you're describing a corner. So, 'S of a point' means 'on the side of a point'.

See? Not so mysterious after all!

Putting It All Together

Alright, let's put all this newfound knowledge to the test. Here's a little snippet from a survey:

Land Survey Dimensions at Timothy Clifton blog

Beginning at a point on the north line, N, 100.00 feet, T E, 50.00 feet, S of a point, N30°15'W, 150.00 feet, Ch 100.00 feet, S of a point, N, 100.00 feet to the point of beginning.

Let's break it down:

• Start at a point on the north line.
• Go north 100 feet.
• Then (T) go east 50 feet.
• You're now on the side (S) of a point.
• Then go north, 30 degrees west (N30°15'W) 150 feet.
• Chain (Ch) 100 feet. This means measure 100 feet in the same direction you're already going.
• You're now on the side (S) of another point.
• Finally, go north 100 feet back to where you started.

And there you have it! You've just followed a land survey measurement like a pro.

One Last Thing: Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Even with all this knowledge, land surveys can still be tricky. If you're ever unsure, don't hesitate to ask a professional. It's always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to your property.

And remember, every time you look at your survey, you're not just looking at a bunch of numbers and symbols. You're looking at your little piece of the world. Pretty cool, huh?

So, go forth, dear reader, and read those surveys with confidence! Your property is waiting.