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What Davis Mitchum Land Surveying Does and When You Need Them

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

Davis Mitchum Land Surveying provides boundary surveys, topographic surveys, and construction staking for property owners, developers, and contractors across South Carolina

Davis Mitchum is a licensed surveying firm that marks property lines, documents terrain features, and establishes reference points for construction projects. They work with homeowners settling boundary disputes, developers planning subdivisions, and contractors preparing sites for building. The firm operates throughout South Carolina and handles the technical work that turns legal descriptions into physical markers on the ground.

A surveyor's job is to measure and map what exists on or under a property. Davis Mitchum does this work using GPS, traditional instruments, and field documentation. The result is a survey map—a legal document that shows where your property begins and ends, what structures sit on it, and how the land slopes or drains. That map becomes part of your deed, a requirement for most construction permits, and proof of ownership if a neighbor's fence crosses into your land.

Key Takeaways

  • Davis Mitchum performs boundary surveys that establish and document property lines, which you may need before building, selling, or resolving disputes with neighbors.
  • Topographic surveys map the terrain, elevation changes, and existing features on your land—essential information for construction planning and drainage design.
  • Construction staking places markers on the ground that guide contractors to the correct location and elevation for buildings, roads, and utilities.
  • Survey costs vary by project size and complexity; a simple boundary survey costs less than a topographic survey for a large development site.
  • Licensed surveyors in South Carolina must hold a Professional Surveyor (PS) license and follow state regulations for how surveys are documented and filed.

When a boundary survey becomes necessary

You need a boundary survey when the exact location of your property line matters legally or practically. This happens most often before you build—most lenders and local building departments require a current survey before issuing a construction loan or permit. A survey also protects you if you are buying land and want to confirm the seller's description matches the ground, or if a neighbor's structure appears to cross into your property.

Boundary surveys are also the standard first step in resolving a property line dispute. If a neighbor's fence, driveway, or building sits where you believe your property begins, a survey by Davis Mitchum creates a legal record of where the actual line runs. That document can be presented to a court, a title company, or the neighbor as evidence. Without it, disputes often become expensive and uncertain.

The cost of a boundary survey depends on the size of the parcel, how easy it is to locate existing markers, and whether the surveyor must search historical records. A small residential lot may cost less than a multi-acre property or one where previous surveys are hard to find. Contact Davis Mitchum directly for a quote based on your specific property.

Topographic surveys for construction and site planning

A topographic survey maps not just where your property line is, but what the land looks like—elevation, slopes, trees, buildings, utilities, and drainage patterns. Developers use topographic surveys to plan subdivisions and understand how water moves across a site. Contractors use them to design foundations, roads, and grading. Homeowners planning major landscaping or drainage work may need one to see how their land slopes.

This type of survey takes longer and costs more than a simple boundary survey because the surveyor must measure many points across the property and create contour lines showing elevation changes. The result is a detailed map that engineers and architects use to design projects that fit the actual terrain. Without it, a contractor may discover mid-project that the land slopes the wrong way for a driveway or that utilities run where a foundation was planned.

Construction staking and layout

Once a building or road design is finalized, Davis Mitchum can place physical markers—stakes, flags, or paint—on the ground showing exactly where construction should begin. This is called staking or layout. The surveyor uses the design plans and GPS or traditional instruments to mark the building corners, utility trenches, or road centerline at the correct location and elevation.

Construction staking prevents costly mistakes. A contractor who builds without staking may discover the building is in the wrong spot, the foundation is at the wrong elevation, or utilities are in the way. Staking costs far less than correcting those errors after construction begins. For larger projects, Davis Mitchum may set up a grid of reference points that the contractor can use throughout the work.

How to contact Davis Mitchum for a survey

To request a survey, contact Davis Mitchum directly with details about your property and what you need. Be ready to describe the property location, the size of the parcel, and the reason for the survey—whether it is for a boundary dispute, construction, a loan requirement, or site planning. If you have a deed, previous survey, or property address, have that information ready.

The surveyor will likely ask to visit the property to assess how much work is involved. Some surveys can be quoted over the phone; others require a site visit first. Once you agree on a price and timeline, Davis Mitchum will schedule the fieldwork, complete the measurements, and prepare the final survey map. The entire process typically takes one to three weeks, depending on the project size and how busy the firm is.

South Carolina surveying standards and licensing

All surveyors in South Carolina must hold a Professional Surveyor (PS) license issued by the South Carolina Board of Professional Surveyors. Licensed surveyors follow state law and professional standards for how surveys are conducted, documented, and filed. This means the survey Davis Mitchum produces is legally recognized and can be used in court, with lenders, and by government agencies.

South Carolina requires surveyors to set permanent monuments—physical markers like brass caps or concrete posts—at property corners whenever possible. These monuments help future property owners and surveyors locate the same corners again. The survey map must show where these monuments are located and what they look like, so they can be found years later.

Survey maps and what they show

A survey map is a scaled drawing of your property that shows the boundary lines, the location of buildings and other structures, easements (rights others have to use part of your land), and any other features the surveyor found. The map includes measurements, angles, and the location of property corners. It is signed and sealed by the licensed surveyor, which makes it a legal document.

You will receive the original survey map or certified copies. Keep the original in a safe place—you may need it for future sales, loans, or disputes. Many people store it with their deed or in a safe deposit box. If you ever need to refer to the survey again, you can contact Davis Mitchum to provide copies or to answer questions about what the map shows.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a survey take?

A simple boundary survey may take one to two weeks from the time you request it to the time you receive the final map. Larger projects or topographic surveys can take three to four weeks. The timeline depends on how busy the surveyor is, how large the property is, and whether historical records must be researched. Contact Davis Mitchum for an estimate based on your project.

Do I need a survey before building a house?

Most lenders require a current survey before issuing a construction loan, and most local building departments require one before issuing a permit. Even if neither is required, a survey protects you by confirming your building will sit on your own land and not encroach on a neighbor's property or an easement. It is worth the cost to avoid disputes later.

What if I cannot find the original property corners?

Surveyors are trained to search for lost corners using historical records, neighboring surveys, and physical evidence on the ground. If the original corners cannot be found, the surveyor may set new ones based on the legal description in your deed and evidence from surrounding properties. This is called a "survey of lost corners" and is a standard part of surveying work.

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

A survey creates a legal record of where the property line actually runs based on the deed and physical evidence. If your neighbor disagrees, the survey can be presented to a court or mediator as evidence. However, a survey alone does not force a neighbor to move a fence or structure—that requires a legal action. A survey is the first step, not the final answer.

What is the difference between a boundary survey and a topographic survey?

A boundary survey shows where your property line is and what structures sit on your land. A topographic survey shows all of that plus the shape and elevation of the terrain, trees, utilities, and drainage patterns. Topographic surveys cost more because they require more measurements, but they give engineers and contractors the information they need to design projects that fit the actual land.