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How Land Surveys Help You Avoid Property Disputes in Houston

Property Line Problems? Land Surveys Are the Best Protection

In a fast-growing city like Houston, where property is constantly being developed, bought, and sold, boundary lines can become blurred—literally and legally. Whether you’re a homeowner putting up a fence, a developer planning a new build, or a commercial buyer closing a deal, the fastest way to avoid a property dispute is a professional land survey.

South Texas Surveying has worked with clients across Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Waller, Liberty, and Chambers Counties to resolve and prevent costly boundary conflicts through accurate, defensible land surveys.

Common Causes of Property Disputes in the Houston Area

Property disputes arise more often than you'd think, especially in areas where:

• Lot lines were never professionally marked

• Previous owners made improvements without permits

• Fences or driveways cross onto neighboring land

• Unrecorded easements were created informally

• Deeds contain conflicting or vague legal descriptions

📌 These situations are especially common in older Houston neighborhoods, expanding suburbs like Conroe, Katy, Pearland, and rural counties with historic land parcels.

What a Land Survey Can Reveal Before Trouble Starts

A land survey conducted by a licensed professional will show:

✔️ Exact legal property boundaries based on title and county records
✔️ Encroachments like fences, buildings, or driveways crossing the line
✔️ Easements and access paths others may have rights to use
✔️ Zoning setbacks or HOA limits that may have been violated
✔️ Overlaps or gaps in title descriptions between adjacent parcels

This kind of documented, objective proof is the best way to settle disputes—or prevent them altogether.

Examples of Disputes Resolved by Surveys

🧱 Fence or Wall Disputes

• A homeowner in Spring Branch wanted to replace a fence but discovered it had been installed 3 feet inside their neighbor’s lot. A boundary survey clarified ownership and helped reach a compromise without legal action.

🚗 Driveway Encroachments

• In Missouri City, a shared driveway built decades ago was never surveyed. When a new neighbor installed a gate, it blocked access. A survey defined the shared easement and helped both parties renegotiate terms.

🏗️ Commercial Build Errors

• A small business owner in Pasadena began construction on a new addition—only to learn it extended onto an adjacent lot. A Category 1A survey revealed the issue before the project got too far, saving thousands in redesign and legal costs.

When to Get a Survey to Avoid a Dispute

• Before installing fences, driveways, or patios

• Before buying or selling a property

• When developing or subdividing a lot

• If your neighbor is claiming part of your property

• If your deed doesn’t clearly describe boundaries

📎 Even if no disagreement has started, a survey gives you proof of where your rights begin and end.

Surveys That Help Resolve Disputes

📏 Boundary Survey

• Most common for homeowners and property investors

• Precisely marks and maps the legal lot lines

📐 Category 1A Survey

• Often used in residential closings

• Shows improvements, fences, and encroachments on or near property lines

🧭 ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey

• Required for commercial properties

• Includes title review and full documentation of easements and access rights

Why Work with South Texas Surveying?

We’ve been surveying Houston and surrounding counties for over 40 years, helping property owners, real estate agents, attorneys, and developers prevent legal battles before they start.

✔️ Fast, accurate boundary and title surveys
✔️ Local expertise across city, county, and HOA regulations
✔️ Clear, legally-defensible documentation
✔️ Trusted in Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Galveston, Waller, Liberty, and Chambers Counties

📞 Worried about a boundary issue? Let South Texas Surveying clear it up with precision.

Resolve Property Questions Before They Become Legal Conflicts

Boundary disputes can drain your time, money, and peace of mind. A professional land survey gives you the facts to protect your property rights, resolve misunderstandings, and prevent court battles.

📍 Before you build—or before someone else builds too close—call South Texas Surveying and get clarity from the ground up.