How much does it cost to hire a land surveyor?

#Buying a property #Selling a real estate property

Last update : 2024-01-23 11:37:16

You are looking to hire a land surveyor for your real estate or home renovation project? Like many, you are probably wondering how much his services will cost.

In this article, we have compiled the amounts suggested by the Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec (OAGQ) for the fees and the services of these professionals. But first, lets take a brief look at the diversified role of this expert.

land surveyor at work

What services does a land surveyor provide?

In Quebec, a land surveyor is a public officer who is an expert in property boundaries and geomatics. This type of expert has the exclusive right to all surveying operations affecting private or public land ownership as well as related cartography, geodesy and photogrammetry work.

Lets take a look:

Demarcation: permanently defining the limit between two neighbouring houses;
Technical description: describing the boundaries of a parcel of land that is subject to special rights;
Cadastral operations: representing a property on a geographical plan (cadastral plan) and identifying it by a distinct lot number;
Picketing: giving a professional opinion on the boundaries of a lot;
Certification of rental spaces: defining the exact areas for rental spaces in a building;
Implantation: locating the location of a future construction on a site;
Spatial planning: assisting municipalities in their need for mapping and analysis of geospatial data.

Land surveyor creating plans

How to recognize a good land surveyor ?

There are several criteria for determining whether a land surveyor is a qualified expert in the field. These include

Education;
Member of a professional order;
Professional qualities.

Education

In Quebec, there is only one academic program to obtain a license to practice this profession. It is the bachelor's degree in geomatics offered by the Université Laval.

This university-level education allows students to develop all the skills necessary to practice their profession.

The Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec (OAGQ)

All land surveyors are required to join the Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec (OAGQ). This organization establishes the standards of practice and regulations that guide its members in their professional activities. Membership also includes mandatory insurance coverage.

Professional qualities

In addition to meeting standards, a good land surveyor must possess several qualities. These include

Ability to meet deadlines;
Having a good knowledge of the area and applicable regulations;
Providing a clear quote;
Curiosity;
Being transparent;
Being meticulous;
Attention to detail.

Before giving you an estimate, a good surveyor will ask you a number of questions about the location of the work, the size of the property, the presence of natural constraints, and so on. It's also very important to discuss your project timeline with the surveyor before accepting his or her quote.

By relying on a platform such as XpertSource.com, you can be sure of finding a professional in your area at a competitive price whose file has been pre-vetted.

suburban houses

How much does a certificate of location cost?

Let's take a look at the certificate of location, since it's an essential document for any real estate transaction in Quebec.

The price of a certificate of location for a single-family home in an urban area is estimated at $1,550, plus taxes. The cost may vary, however, depending on the location and characteristics of your property, as well as the surveyor hired.

Who pays for the certificate of location?

In a real estate transaction, it is the seller's responsibility to provide a valid certificate of location. If the document in his possession is no longer valid, the seller must pay for the production of a new certificate.

However, if a new document is requested and shows no change from the previous one, it will be up to the buyer to assume the cost of the certificate of location.

Land surveyor's fees according to OAGQ rates

The Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec (OAGQ) has establish a 2024 guide of suggested rates for land surveyors. This guide has been published for informational purposes only and serves as a reference for members to define fair and reasonable fees.

Below is a summary table of suggested prices for the different services offered :

Type of service	Price*
Location certificate (single-family house in an urban environment)	$1550
Layout, layout certificate and location certificate	$2255
Staking and staking certificate (isolated case - investigation excluded)	$1550
Registration (if required, land survey excluded)
First lot created	$1410
Each additional lot created	$420
Technical description (field survey excluded)
First plot	$700
Each additional plot (same minute)	$245
Copies and certification of documents	$240
File opening	$135
Digital plan (file)	$460 each

Source: Suggested fee schedule - Order of Land Surveyors of Quebec (OAGQ)
* Suggested prices exclude applicable taxes

How much does a land surveyor charge by hour?

Depending on the level of experience of the expert you are dealing with, the fees for services rendered under normal conditions are estimated as follows:

Junior (0 to 5 years experience): $165.00/hour ;
Intermediate (5 to 10 years of experience): $235.00/hour;
Senior (more than 10 years experience): $305.00/hour.

Here are other examples of fees that may be charged depending on the service rendered by the surveyor.

Type of service	Fees*
Site survey
1 person	$165/hour
Per additional person	$67/hour
Research
At the registry office, municipality, land surveyor's or notary's office, Gaz Métropolitain, Hydro-Québec, Bell Canada, Canadian National, etc.	$150/hour
CAD and DAO	$150/hour

Source: Suggested fee schedule - Order of Land Surveyors of Quebec (OAGQ)
* Suggested prices exclude applicable taxes

How can I find a land surveyor at the best price?

Because the rates charged can vary from one land surveyor to another, you shouldn't hesitate to contact several experts in your area. XpertSource.com can easily put you in touch with 3 surveyors in your area, free of charge. You'll be able to compare their quotes, as well as the prices charged by each.

But beware, it would be a mistake to rely solely on the lowest price! After all, you certainly want an experienced professional who's committed to a job well done, which necessarily comes with a slightly higher price tag.

How to choose your land surveyor?

Before choosing your surveyor, make sure that the professional is a member in good standing of the Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec (OAGQ), and that he or she has liability insurance.

As mentioned in the previous point, it's also a good idea to solicit at least three quotes. These should be clear and detailed, and include a price list for the services requested. In this way, you can compare bidders and select the professional best suited to your needs.

Are you looking for a land surveyor?

XpertSource.com can help you find a land surveyor. When you tell us about your project, we put you in touch with qualified resources for FREE. Simply fill out our form ( it only takes a few minutes ) and we will connect you with professionals.