Why You Might Need a Land Survey Sooner Than You Think
"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
The One Thing Most Property Owners Don’t Think About Until It’s Too Late
Let’s be honest—most people don’t spend much time thinking about land surveys. They’re not flashy, they don’t show up in Zillow listings, and they’re rarely the topic of dinner conversations.
But if you’re buying property, selling it, building on it, fencing it in, or just trying to avoid a lawsuit with the neighbor next door... you need one.
In fact, land surveys are one of those things that don’t feel important—until they suddenly become very, very important.
"But the fence is already there..."
This might be our favorite line. It usually comes right before we have to gently explain that the fence is off by a few feet—and the shed that was built “inside the yard” is technically sitting on the neighbor’s land.
Boundaries aren’t always where you think they are. Fences, trees, driveways—they all move, decay, or get built without a survey. And if you’re planning to build, sell, or refinance, those little details can turn into big problems.
"The last guy said everything looked fine."
Cool. But did the last guy have GPS equipment, deed records, and a state license?
You’d be surprised how often land changes hands based on guesswork. But the moment a title company, city inspector, or real estate attorney gets involved, guesswork won’t cut it. They want real data—and that’s where a survey comes in.
"I don’t want to spend extra money if I don’t have to."
We get it. But here’s the thing: a good survey isn’t an “extra.” It’s a basic part of protecting your investment.
A boundary survey might cost a few hundred dollars. But skipping it? That can lead to:
Construction delays
Permit rejections
Legal battles over encroachments
Deals falling apart before closing
Unexpected expenses to remove or move improvements
In other words, a survey costs a little—not having one can cost a lot.
So when do you actually need one?
Honestly? If you’re doing anything important with your property, it’s worth getting a current survey. That includes:
Buying or selling
Building a home, fence, garage, or pool
Dividing or combining lots
Confirming access to rural or shared-drive properties
Planning any sort of development, even on a small scale
Even if your lender or title company doesn’t require it, it’s still smart to get one for peace of mind.
And who should you call?
At South Texas Surveying, we’ve been helping homeowners, developers, investors, and builders across the region understand exactly what’s on their land—and what isn’t.
We know the local regulations. We talk directly with title companies, cities, and HOAs. We show up when we say we will. And we hand you a clean, clear survey you can actually use—because our job isn’t just to mark lines, it’s to make sure you’re covered.
Final thought: It’s your land. Know where it starts and ends.
Don’t wait until the city denies your permit or your neighbor calls a lawyer. Get a survey now, before it becomes a problem.
Call South Texas Surveying. We’ll make it simple.
