What Ashley Land Surveying Does and How to Work With Them

Ashley Land Surveying provides boundary surveys, topographic maps, and construction staking for property owners and developers across South Carolina

Ashley Land Surveying is a licensed surveying firm that handles the technical work property owners need when they buy land, build on it, or settle disputes about where their property line actually sits. They measure and map property boundaries, create detailed elevation maps for construction projects, and mark out where buildings or roads should go on the ground. If you own land in South Carolina and need to know exactly what you own or how to develop it, this is the kind of firm you contact.

The firm operates as a private business, not a government agency, so you hire them directly and pay for their services. They work with individual homeowners, real estate developers, contractors, and municipalities. Their work produces the official documents—surveys and maps—that banks, title companies, and local governments require before you can sell, build on, or refinance property.

Key Takeaways

• Ashley Land Surveying performs boundary surveys that establish the exact lines of your property, which you need before buying, selling, or building.
• They create topographic surveys showing elevation changes and existing features on land, required by most municipalities before construction begins.
• Construction staking marks the precise location where structures should be built, guiding contractors during the building process.
• You contact them directly as a private business; they are not a government office, and their fees vary by project scope and complexity.
• Their work produces documents required by banks, title companies, and local building departments before permits or financing can move forward.

Types of surveys Ashley Land Surveying performs

Boundary surveys are the most common service. A surveyor physically visits your property, uses specialized equipment to measure distances and angles, and compares those measurements to the original property deed and recorded plat maps. They then produce a new survey map showing exactly where your property lines sit. Banks require boundary surveys before they will finance a purchase. Title companies need them to confirm what you actually own. If you are selling land or building a fence, a boundary survey prevents disputes with neighbors.

Topographic surveys map the shape and elevation of land, showing hills, valleys, trees, buildings, and other features already on the property. Developers use these before designing subdivisions or commercial projects. Local building departments often require them before issuing construction permits, especially on sloped terrain where drainage and foundation depth matter. The surveyor produces a detailed map that architects and engineers use to plan where structures can safely go.

Construction staking takes the architect's or engineer's plans and marks the exact location on the ground where a building, driveway, or utility line should be built. The surveyor places stakes and flags that contractors follow during construction. This prevents costly mistakes where a building ends up in the wrong spot or encroaches on a neighbor's land.

When you need to hire Ashley Land Surveying

You need a survey before buying property if the seller cannot provide a recent one or if the existing survey is outdated. Lenders will not finance a purchase without one. If you are refinancing an existing mortgage, your lender may require an updated survey depending on how long ago the last one was done.

Before building anything—a house, addition, deck, or commercial structure—your local building department will require a survey showing where the structure will sit relative to your property lines and setback requirements. Contractors cannot legally begin work without this. If you are subdividing land to sell part of it, a survey is essential to create the new legal description that the deed will reference.

Boundary disputes with neighbors sometimes require a professional survey to settle. If a neighbor claims your fence is on their land or you disagree about where the property line runs, a licensed surveyor's work becomes the factual record that resolves the dispute or supports your position in court.

How to contact Ashley Land Surveying and what to expect

You contact the firm directly by phone or through their office. When you call, describe your project—whether you need a boundary survey, topographic map, or construction staking—and tell them where the property is located. They will ask questions about the size of the property, what you plan to do with it, and whether you have existing surveys or deeds they should review.

The surveyor will visit the property to take measurements and photographs. Depending on the project size and terrain, this can take a few hours to several days. They then return to their office to process the data, create the maps, and prepare the final documents. Turnaround time typically ranges from one to three weeks, though rush service may be available at higher cost.

You receive a finished survey map or report that you can provide to your lender, title company, contractor, or local government. These documents are official records that carry the surveyor's professional license number and seal, making them legally valid for all the purposes you need them for.

Cost and payment

Survey costs vary based on property size, terrain complexity, and what type of survey you need. A simple boundary survey of a small residential lot costs less than a topographic survey of 50 acres with significant elevation changes. Construction staking costs depend on how many points need to be marked and how spread out they are. You should contact the firm directly for a quote on your specific project.

Most surveying firms charge by the project rather than by the hour. Some require a deposit before beginning work, with the balance due when you receive the finished maps. Ask about their payment terms when you call.

Working with local government requirements

Your city or county building department has specific rules about what surveys must show and what format they must be in. Some municipalities require surveys to be prepared by a surveyor licensed in South Carolina and registered with the county. Ashley Land Surveying, as a licensed firm, meets these standards.

When you submit a survey to your building department for a permit, the department reviews it to confirm that the proposed structure meets setback requirements—the minimum distance it must sit from property lines, roads, and other structures. If the survey shows a problem, the department will tell you before you begin construction. This is why getting the survey done before you hire a contractor saves time and money.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a survey take?

The fieldwork—the surveyor's visit to your property—usually takes a few hours to a full day depending on property size and terrain. The office work to process data and create maps typically takes one to three weeks. Rush service may shorten this timeline at additional cost.

Do I need a new survey if I already have an old one?

It depends on how old it is and what you are using it for. Lenders often accept surveys that are five to ten years old, though some require newer ones. If you are building or subdividing, your local government may require a current survey. Contact Ashley Land Surveying with your existing survey and they can tell you whether it will work for your purpose.

What if my property is very large or has difficult terrain?

Larger properties and steep terrain take longer to survey and cost more because the surveyor needs more time in the field and more complex equipment. Get a quote from the firm describing your specific property so they can give you an accurate price.

Can a survey settle a property line dispute with my neighbor?

A professional survey provides the factual measurement of where your property line sits based on the original deed and recorded plat. If your neighbor disagrees, the survey becomes evidence in any negotiation or legal proceeding. It does not automatically settle the dispute, but it establishes what the actual boundary is.

What documents do I need to provide when I hire them?

Bring your deed, any existing surveys, and information about what you plan to do with the property. If you have a building plan or site plan from an architect or engineer, that helps too. The surveyor will tell you what else they need when you contact them.