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What Kind of Land Survey Do You Need? A Guide for Houston Property Owners

Not All Land Surveys Are the Same—Here’s How to Choose the Right One

Whether you’re buying property, building a structure, resolving a boundary dispute, or preparing to refinance, getting the right type of land survey can save you time, money, and headaches. But with so many survey types—ALTA, boundary, Category 1A, topographic, elevation, and platting—it’s not always clear which one is best for your project.

In this guide, we break down the most common surveys used in Houston and surrounding counties like Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Liberty, Waller, and Chambers, and explain when to use each.

1. Boundary Survey

✅ Use this when:

• You’re installing a fence, building a structure, or selling property

• You want to confirm the exact property lines and corners

📍 Best for:

• Residential homeowners

• Rural property owners

• Small-scale investors

📌 A boundary survey ensures you don’t encroach on neighboring properties or build outside legal limits.

2. Category 1A Survey (Texas Standard)

✅ Use this when:

• You’re buying or selling real estate in Texas

• A title company or lender requests a survey for closing

• You need to verify building placement, fences, driveways, and easements

📍 Best for:

• Homeowners

• Residential realtors

• Refinance situations

📌 Required by most Texas title companies. Includes improvements and visible encroachments.

3. ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey

✅ Use this when:

• You’re buying or financing commercial property

• A bank, attorney, or investor requires detailed legal documentation

• You need a high-level survey that combines fieldwork with title research

📍 Best for:

• Commercial developers

• Multifamily property owners

• Retail or office investors

📌 This is the most comprehensive survey—covering legal descriptions, access, utilities, zoning, encroachments, and more.

4. Topographic Survey

✅ Use this when:

• You’re planning to build, grade, or develop land

• You need to map elevation, drainage, or slope

• Engineers or architects need terrain data for site design

📍 Best for:

• Builders

• Civil engineers

• Custom home developers

📌 Often used with construction staking and stormwater planning in Brazoria, Montgomery, and Galveston Counties.

5. Floodplain or Elevation Survey

✅ Use this when:

• Your property is near a flood zone

• You’re applying for FEMA flood insurance

• The county or lender requires elevation certification

📍 Best for:

• Homes near bayous, creeks, or coastal areas

• Properties in Harris, Galveston, and Chambers Counties

📌 These surveys confirm whether your property meets floodplain regulations—essential for permit approval or insurance.

6. Platting / Replat Survey

✅ Use this when:

• You’re subdividing land

• You want to combine or divide legal lots

• The city or county requires an updated plat before issuing permits

📍 Best for:

• Developers

• Subdivision builders

• Landowners preparing for resale

📌 Common in Fort Bend and Liberty Counties, where growing subdivisions require new plats to support infrastructure.

Still Not Sure Which Survey You Need? Let’s Break It Down

Project TypeRecommended SurveyBuying a homeCategory 1A SurveyBuying commercial propertyALTA/NSPS Land Title SurveyInstalling a fence or resolving boundariesBoundary SurveyBuilding a custom home or grading landTopographic + Boundary SurveyDeveloping or subdividing landPlatting / Topographic SurveyIn a flood zone or coastal areaElevation or Floodplain Survey

Why It Matters to Choose the Right Survey

Ordering the wrong type of survey can result in:

• Delayed closings

• Permit rejections

• Survey re-dos (costing you twice as much)

• Missed easements or encroachments

• Confusion during development or resale

📌 A licensed, local surveyor—like South Texas Surveying—can help you choose the right survey based on your county regulations, title requirements, and project type.

South Texas Surveying: Helping Houston Pick the Right Survey for Over 40 Years

Serving Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers, Waller, and Liberty Counties, South Texas Surveying is here to guide homeowners, builders, and real estate pros through every type of project.

We offer:

✔️ ALTA, Category 1A, boundary, topographic, and floodplain surveys
✔️ Fast service tailored to closings, permits, and developments
✔️ Deep experience with local permitting and title requirements
✔️ Friendly support to help you get it right the first time

📞 Need help figuring out which survey fits your project? Call South Texas Surveying today.

The Right Survey Saves You Time, Money, and Risk

Every project is different—but every property deserves accuracy. Whether you're closing on a home in Cypress or preparing a subdivision in Magnolia, knowing the right survey ensures your land is legally secure, build-ready, and value-proofed.

📍 Trust the experts at South Texas Surveying to help you choose the right survey and move forward with confidence.