When you decide to build a new home in Tennessee, one of the first steps is finding the piece of property you want to buy and build on. Choosing land to build on may seem simple, but there are numerous factors to consider: zoning, location, topography and property boundaries. A professional surveyor may provide essential information on an available property to help you determine whether it meets the requirements for your dream home.
FindLaw provides a list of the types of information a property survey may provide. While one of the most common facts included in a survey is boundary information for a property, that is not the only knowledge you may gain when you hire a professional surveyor. For example, a survey on the land you are considering may show all the boundary lines as well as existing easements, rights-of-way and access points, such as a private or shared driveway. You may also learn that there are existing improvements already on the land, even if there is not a house. Existing improvements may influence where you locate your home, driveway or outbuildings on the property.
Understanding the topography of the land is important when it comes to building your own home. For example, your builder may need to modify the location or footprint of your home if there are large rocks, water drainage routes or steep slopes in certain areas of your property. A survey may also provide details on the location of utility lines and water mains. Some surveyors may look through government records to get information on zoning restrictions or historic uses of the property.
This general information on property surveys is intended to educate and should not be interpreted as legal advice.