A property survey is used to assess where the boundaries of a property lie. If you're planning on buying or selling a property, or planning construction on one you own, you'll need to hire a professional surveyor to perform the survey. However, if you're simply curious where your legal property line is, you can perform an approximate property survey yourself with a bit of research, measuring, and footwork

A property survey is used to assess where the boundaries of a property lie. If you're planning on buying or selling a property, or planning construction on one you own, you'll need to hire a professional surveyor to perform the survey. However, if you're simply curious where your legal property line is, you can perform an approximate property survey yourself with a bit of research, measuring, and footwork.

1 The primary purpose of conducting a property survey is to prevent disputes about property lines.
A neighbor's fence or buildings could be on your property, or vice versa, without your knowing about it. Surveys are often performed prior to the sale of a property, the beginning of construction on a building or fence, or when a property is being subdivided for sale. In essence, a property survey gives you the ability to know exactly where your property legally ends and the adjacent property begins.
Only professionally-done property surveys are legally-binding.

2 In many cases, and especially for rural properties, it may be the case that existing boundaries are not the real, legal boundaries of a property. You and your neighbor may have a fence or a natural boundary, like a ditch or creek, dividing your land. However, your deed may specify another line that must be used when determining the actual boundaries of properties.[2]