What Edwards Land Surveyors Does and When You Need Them

Edwards Land Surveyors provides boundary surveys, topographic maps, and property documentation for residential and commercial clients across South Carolina

Edwards Land Surveyors is a South Carolina-based firm that measures property lines, creates detailed maps of land features, and produces the official documents you need to buy, sell, develop, or dispute a property. The firm works with homeowners settling boundary questions, developers planning construction projects, and attorneys handling property disputes. Their surveyors use GPS technology and traditional surveying methods to establish where your property actually begins and ends—information that matters when you're building a fence, adding a structure, or closing on land.

The firm operates as a licensed professional service, meaning the surveyors hold state credentials and their work carries legal weight in South Carolina courts and real estate transactions. You hire them when a question about property lines needs an authoritative answer, or when a lender, title company, or local government requires official documentation of what's on your land.

Key Takeaways

• Edwards Land Surveyors produces boundary surveys that legally establish property lines and are accepted by South Carolina courts and title companies.
• Topographic surveys map the elevation, terrain, and existing structures on your land, which developers and builders need before construction planning.
• You typically need a survey before closing on property, when building near a property line, or when a boundary dispute arises with a neighbor.
• The cost and timeline depend on the property size, terrain difficulty, and how quickly you need the work—contact the firm directly for a quote on your specific project.

Types of surveys Edwards Land Surveyors performs

Boundary surveys are the most common service. A surveyor locates the corners and lines of your property using property records, GPS equipment, and sometimes physical markers left by previous surveys. The result is an official map showing exactly where your property ends and your neighbor's begins. This document is required by most title companies before a real estate closing and is essential if you're building a fence, deck, or addition near a property line.

Topographic surveys map the shape and elevation of the land itself—hills, valleys, drainage patterns, trees, and existing buildings. Developers and contractors use these to plan construction, understand drainage, and meet local zoning requirements. If you're planning a significant building project, a topo survey tells you what you're actually working with before you start.

ALTA surveys (American Land Title Association surveys) are detailed boundary surveys that include additional information like easements, rights of way, and utility locations. These are typically required for commercial property sales and complex transactions where lenders or title companies need comprehensive documentation.

The firm also handles property line disputes, where a surveyor's official documentation can resolve disagreements with neighbors about where the actual boundary lies. This work often supports legal proceedings and is accepted as evidence in South Carolina courts.

When you need a survey from Edwards Land Surveyors

A boundary survey is standard before closing on any property purchase in South Carolina. Your lender or title company will typically require one, and it protects you by confirming the property you're buying matches the legal description in the deed.

You also need a survey before building anything near a property line—a fence, deck, garage, or addition. Local building permits often require proof that your structure won't cross onto a neighbor's land. A survey provides that proof and protects you from having to tear down work that violates a setback or easement.

If a neighbor claims your fence, driveway, or structure is on their property, a professional survey settles the question with documentation that holds up in court. This is far cheaper than a property dispute that ends in litigation.

Developers and contractors use topographic surveys to understand the land before planning roads, utilities, or building placement. If you're subdividing land or planning a commercial project, a topo survey is often required by the local planning department.

How to contact Edwards Land Surveyors

To request a survey, contact the firm directly with details about your property and what you need. Be ready to describe the property location, the size of the area to be surveyed, and what the survey is for—a real estate closing, a construction project, or a boundary dispute. The surveyor can then give you a timeline and cost estimate based on your specific situation.

South Carolina surveyors are licensed by the state, and Edwards Land Surveyors holds the credentials required to perform work that will be accepted by courts, title companies, and government agencies. When you hire a licensed surveyor, you're getting work that carries legal authority.

What to expect during the survey process

A boundary survey typically begins with the surveyor reviewing the property deed, previous surveys, and public records to understand the legal description of your land. They then visit the property to locate existing survey markers (often metal stakes or monuments set by previous surveyors) and take GPS measurements to confirm the current boundary.

The surveyor marks the corners and lines, often with temporary flags or paint, so you can see where the boundary actually is. This is especially useful if you're planning construction or settling a dispute. The final product is an official map showing the property lines, dimensions, and any easements or restrictions that affect the land.

Topographic surveys involve more detailed fieldwork, with the surveyor mapping elevation changes and features across the entire property. This takes longer than a boundary survey but gives you a complete picture of the land's shape and what's on it.

Cost and timeline considerations

Survey costs vary based on property size, terrain difficulty, and how quickly you need the work. A straightforward residential boundary survey in an urban or suburban area is typically faster and less expensive than surveying a large rural property with difficult terrain or unclear historical markers. Topographic surveys cost more than boundary surveys because they require more fieldwork and detailed mapping.

Timeline depends on the workload at the firm and the complexity of your property. Simple surveys may be completed in days; complex projects or properties with unclear records may take longer. If you have a closing date or permit deadline, mention that when you contact the firm so they can tell you whether they can meet your timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a survey take?

A straightforward boundary survey typically takes a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on property size and how busy the firm is. Topographic surveys and complex boundary disputes may take longer. Contact Edwards Land Surveyors with your specific project details for a timeline estimate.

Do I need a survey if I'm just buying a house?

Your lender or title company will almost certainly require one before closing. Even if they don't, a survey protects you by confirming the property you're buying matches the legal description in the deed and that no structures cross property lines.

What if the survey shows my fence is on my neighbor's property?

That depends on how far over it is and what your neighbor wants to do. You may be able to move the fence, negotiate a boundary line agreement, or in some cases obtain an easement. A surveyor's documentation gives you clear information to work with, and an attorney can advise you on your options.

Can a survey be used in court?

Yes. A survey performed by a licensed South Carolina surveyor is accepted as evidence in property disputes and boundary litigation. The surveyor's credentials and the official documentation carry legal weight in resolving disagreements about where property lines actually are.

What's the difference between a boundary survey and a topographic survey?

A boundary survey shows where your property lines are. A topographic survey maps the shape, elevation, and features of the land itself. You need a boundary survey for most real estate transactions; you need a topo survey when planning construction or development.