In Toronto, property owners and potential buyers often seek the expertise of Ontario Land Surveyors to obtain accurate and reliable information about their property boundaries. A property survey is a crucial step in determining the precise dimensions, location, and land title extent of a piece of land, which is essential for avoiding property disputes, acquiring municipal permits for construction and/or improvements, and facilitating smooth real estate transactions.

Property surveys in Toronto are carried out by licensed Ontario Land Surveyors, who are trained professionals responsible for preparing survey plans that meet the standards set by the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors. These plans serve as legal documents that can be used in various situations, such as purchasing a new property, obtaining a mortgage, or undertaking land development projects.

Toronto's dynamic real estate market highlights the importance of accurate property surveys. By enlisting the help of a qualified Ontario Land Surveyor, property owners and buyers can confidently navigate the complexities of their property's boundaries and make informed decisions in their real estate ventures.

The Scope on Property Surveys

Types of Property Surveys

There are several types of property surveys, each serving a specific purpose. The most common types include:

Surveyor's Real Property Report (SRPR): Provides detailed information to illustrate the location of buildings or structures relative to the subject property and nearest adjacent properties’ boundary. This plan shows the location of any permanent physical features and registered encumbrances such as easements, on or immediately adjacent to the subject property, protecting against property disputes and identifying any interests from outside parties. In a real estate transaction, an up-to-date SRPR provides a purchaser, seller, lender, realtor, lawyer, and any other party to the transaction an accurate representation of the property prior to the purchase being made. These plans are also required for new residential construction projects or home improvements, ensuring permits can be attained and municipal requirements are met.
Plan of Survey: A fully monumented plan of survey, prepared to meet the specific needs of a client such as depicting a property boundary in relation to physical features (ditches, buildings, fences, trees, retaining walls). A Plan of Survey can take on many forms and has many different purposes.
Reference Plan: A fully monumented plan of survey that is used when any new parcel of land is created or consolidated for processes such as: subdividing a piece of property to sell additional lots, purchasing a neighbouring property and consolidating parcels, land severance, preparing a portion of a property to create new ‘Parts’ reflecting a widening, transfer, or describing easements such as utility or public rights-of-way. A reference plan is deposited into the respective Land Registry Office and becomes public record; it does not take effect until every ‘Part’ of the plan is referenced in a transfer document by a lawyer.

Importance of Land Surveys

Performing a land survey is crucial for various reasons, including:

Clarifying Boundaries: A land survey helps to re-establish the exact boundaries of a property, allowing both property owners and neighbours to understand their respective limits and avoid potential disputes.
Identifying Encroachments: Sometimes, a neighbouring property owner's structure or other improvements may be built on or too close to your property line. A land survey can help discover any encroachments and resolve such issues promptly.
Assisting in Development: Land surveys can provide valuable information to architects, engineers, and developers when planning the construction of new buildings, additions, or renovations, and are often required in the process of acquiring municipal permits.
Assuring Legal Documentation: A Plan of Survey or Surveyor’sReal Property Report prepared by a professional land surveyor ensures accurate measurements with thorough quality control measures, and can serve as legal documentation to support property transactions or provide proof to regulatory authorities.

In summary, property surveys play a crucial role in understanding and defining property lines and features. They help property owners, developers, and other stakeholders to make informed decisions, avoid disputes, and ensure accurate documentation and understanding of their real estate assets and extent of land title. By understanding the different types of property surveys and their importance, you can better protect your property investments and rights.

The Survey Process in Toronto

Initial Research

The property survey boundary retracement process in Toronto, Ontario, begins with an initial title search and research phase. During this stage, land surveyors research existing survey records and databases to gather vital plans, instruments, and information about the property in question. This includes reviewing various sources such as Crown survey records, Plans of Subdivision and other cadastral boundary surveys, deeds, instruments, and historical records to understand the boundaries, ownership history, and any possible constraints or interests affecting the land.

Fieldwork and Data Collection

Following the initial research, surveyors conduct fieldwork to collect data about the property. This involves visiting the site and utilizing advanced equipment like RTK GPS rovers, total stations, and 3D laser scanners to gather spatial data through accurate measurements and observations. Fieldwork includes identifying and measuring survey boundary monuments on both the subject and adjacent properties, as well as building locations, fence lines, and any other pertinent permanent features required by scope, referred to in prior plans, or representing an interest in the subject property.

This all provides insight into the property's boundaries. As part of the data collection process, surveyors perform boundary retracement – a process that involves analyzing both historical records and the newly collected field data to re-establish the property's limits in the Ontario Land Surveyors professional best opinion.

Survey Plan Drafting

Once the surveyors have completed the fieldwork and data collection, the process moves on to data processing and validation stage, before finally moving on to the drafting of the Plan of Survey. The produced plan is a certified document that illustrates the property's boundaries, dimensions, and any relevant features. In Toronto, it's essential to ensure that this plan adheres to the regulations set by the Ontario Land Surveyor Association. The survey plan may contain:

Property boundaries with survey method, monuments set or found with conditions
Dimensions and area calculations
Location of buildings and structures on the property
Easements or rights-of-way
Any encroachments or discrepancies observed

A well prepared Plan of Survey serves as a crucial reference and document for property owners, real estate agents, and legal agencies involved in land transactions or development projects. By following these key steps; initial research, fieldwork and data collection, survey plan drafting & review – land survey professionals in Toronto ensure accurate, reliable results that inform and protect all parties involved in property matters.

Specific Survey Services

In Toronto, property survey services are provided by professional surveyors and land professionals who offer various types of surveys tailored to specific needs. Some of these services include:

Boundary Surveys: Re-establishing the boundaries of a property in the form of an up-to-date survey that can be used to prevent disputes concerning encroachments with neighbouring properties, subdivide lands, and provide an accurate reflection of the current state of boundary extents with any factors, features, or outside interests effecting said property identified.
Topographic Surveys: Depicting the location and elevation of features of a property to provide accurate information for architects, engineers, and builders. Typically depicts surface drainage with contours at defined intervals.
Construction Surveys: Verifying the precise location and alignment of various construction elements, such as building footprints, roads, and utilities.

Utilizing Survey Information

For Homeowners and Buyers

A property survey is a valuable tool for homeowners and potential buyers to understand the boundaries of the property, as well as any potential issues that may arise. For example, a property survey can reveal information about lot lines, easements, and encroachments, which can affect the value and usability of a property.

This information allows them to make informed decisions for a variety of tasks, including:

Aiding the purchasing decision: A clear understanding of property lines can help buyers make informed decisions, as it may reveal issues that could impact their plans for the property.
Securing a building permit: When planning any construction or renovation work, a property survey is often required to obtain a building permit, ensuring that the work complies with local zoning and setback requirements.

For Construction and Renovation

Property survey information is essential for construction and renovation projects, as it provides a solid foundation for planning and executing these tasks. Contractors and architects can use survey data to ensure their designs are in line with local regulations and codes, are appropriate for the physical real world site conditions, and ensure features are placed and constructed accurately in the right locations.

Some key aspects that property survey information can help with include:

Ensuring compliance: A proper understanding of setbacks, easements, and zoning regulations can help avoid costly mistakes and delays during construction or renovation.
Determining the location of underground utilities: Survey information can indicate the location of underground utilities such as water, gas, and electrical lines, helping to avoid disruptions and potential hazards during construction.
Planning for basement construction or renovation: Accurate property survey information can help determine if a basement addition or renovation is feasible, as well as ensure that changes do not negatively impact neighbouring properties or violate any zoning regulations or municipal by-laws.

In conclusion, utilizing property survey information is crucial when it comes to home owners and buyers' decision-making processes, as well as in the planning and execution of construction and renovation projects in Toronto. By leveraging this data, individuals can ensure a smoother, more efficient, and legally compliant experience.

Hiring a Surveyor in Toronto

When looking to hire a surveyor in Toronto, it is essential to select a qualified professional who is registered as an Ontario Land Surveyor, such as Exactus Energy. Our property surveyors are authorized to perform surveys in the province and are bound by professional standards, ethics, and regulations.

Contact us to inquire about our experience, services, and pricing packages, or simply to discuss your property survey needs. Be sure to provide us with the property's address and specific surveying needs.

Property Surveys in Toronto: A Comprehensive Guide to Acquisition