"Texas, often referred to as the Lone Star State, is a thriving hub for economic growth and innovation, making it an attractive destination for commercial real estate investment." - Chris Evans

Why Every Houston Property Owner Should Update Their Land Survey After Major Changes

Your Land Has Changed—Has Your Survey?

If you’ve recently made improvements to your property, expanded your home, installed a fence, or even purchased adjacent land, your current land survey may be out of date. In Houston’s evolving real estate and regulatory landscape, an outdated land survey can lead to problems with permitting, refinancing, resale, or neighbor disputes.

At South Texas Surveying, we often help property owners catch issues early by providing updated, accurate surveys that reflect the current condition of their land.

When Should You Update a Land Survey?

While surveys don’t technically “expire,” they do become outdated when changes occur on or near the property. You should update your survey if:

• 🧱 You’ve added a structure, like a garage, shed, pool, or patio

• 🧭 You’ve moved or installed fencing or driveway features

• 🧾 You’re refinancing your home or commercial loan

• 🏗️ You’re preparing for construction, permitting, or subdivision

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 You’ve had boundary disagreements or changes in neighboring properties

• 📜 There’s been a replat or zoning reclassification in your area

• 📍 You plan to sell or transfer ownership of the property

📌 An updated survey protects your property value and legal clarity—especially in rapidly growing areas like Katy, Cypress, The Woodlands, and Pearland.

Why an Updated Survey Matters

🔍 Legal Accuracy

An outdated survey may not reflect current improvements, setbacks, or encroachments—making it unreliable in legal or financial transactions.

🏛️ Permit Approvals

Most municipalities and counties in the Greater Houston area won’t issue permits for new structures unless your survey reflects the current condition of the property.

💸 Title and Financing

Title companies and lenders may require an updated Category 1A or ALTA survey for refinances, commercial deals, or transfers to family trusts.

⚖️ Dispute Prevention

If your neighbor builds close to the boundary, or if you discover an encroachment, an accurate survey helps resolve the issue before it escalates.

Signs Your Survey Is Outdated

• It’s more than 5 years old

• It was completed before major additions were built

• It doesn’t show your fence, shed, patio, or pool

• It’s based on an old plat or deed that no longer matches the actual lot

• You’ve had drainage issues, runoff changes, or soil movement

How Often Should You Update Your Survey in Houston?

Here’s a general rule of thumb for Houston-area property owners:

Event or ActivitySurvey Update Recommended?New home purchase✅ YesAdded structure or improvements✅ YesFence or driveway installation✅ YesNo property changes (5+ years old)⚠️ PossiblyPreparing to sell or refinance✅ YesLegal dispute or zoning issue✅ Yes

What Type of Survey Should You Request?

• Category 1A Survey – Ideal for residential resales and refinancing

• Boundary Survey – Best for confirming exact property lines or resolving disputes

• Topographic Survey – Useful for drainage planning, grading, or construction prep

• ALTA/NSPS Survey – Required for commercial or multi-family properties involving lenders, attorneys, or title insurers

📎 Not sure which one you need? We’ll guide you through it.

Counties Where Updated Surveys Are Especially Important

📍 Harris County – Constant urban infill and redevelopment cause frequent changes to land use and boundaries

📍 Fort Bend County – New MUD and HOA regulations may impact property rights and buildable space

📍 Montgomery County – Rural-to-suburban shifts make accurate data critical for property splits and development

📍 Brazoria & Galveston Counties – Coastal changes, flood zone shifts, and elevation changes affect insurance and permitting

How South Texas Surveying Makes It Easy

We specialize in quick, affordable, and accurate surveys for property owners across the Houston area. Whether you need a survey for compliance, construction, or peace of mind—we’re here to help.

We offer:

✔️ Updated boundary, Category 1A, ALTA, and topographic surveys
✔️ Fast turnaround for permits, closings, and lender deadlines
✔️ Friendly service across Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Galveston, Liberty, Waller, and Chambers counties
✔️ Professional insight into local permitting, title, and zoning standards

📞 Ready to update your survey? Contact South Texas Surveying today for expert support and fast results.

When Your Property Changes, Your Survey Should Too

Don’t wait for a dispute, permit delay, or denied refinance to realize your survey is outdated. Get ahead of the curve and keep your property records current—because in Houston real estate, precision pays off.

📍 Trust South Texas Surveying to deliver surveys that reflect the true picture of your land—every time.