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Question about the logistics of surveying, clearing, fencing acreage

Posted on 6/26/20 at 12:18 am
Posted by TigrrrDad
Member since Oct 2016
7106 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 12:18 am
I'm trying to put this all together in my head while we're in the early stages of buying 20+ acres, mostly wooded (so I haven't talked to any of the guys who will be doing the work yet). The land had a recent survey, but the only markers to my knowledge (according to the plat map) are at all of the corners, some of which are over 1,000 ft. apart (and the property shape is irregular - not a perfect square or rectangle). So obviously the guys clearing the land need to know the boundaries. Is there a type of survey where they will put markers every 100 ft. or so, and how do they do this if the land is heavily wooded? How much would this type of survey cost on that size property? Once it's cleared, obviously the fencing guys will be able to follow the markers for the fencing (since they'll be readily visible), but the boundaries need to be pretty precise for the land clearing first. Seems like this would be a nearly impossible task on 20 or so heavily wooded acres.

As far as land clearing, a friend recommended a very reasonably priced guy who did forestry mulching on his acreage. Anyone went the mulching route on their land? Any major cons to mulching as opposed to hauling/burning everything? I plan on leaving some of the bigger trees, but fairly sparse since my kid and grandkids will eventually be riding dirt bikes or whatever on the land occasionally. And the mulch, once tilled into the red mud, should make for much better riding dirt. Will keep a few acres wooded for sure though.
Posted by Batman Chalupa
Member since Feb 2020
387 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 1:11 am to
$5500-7,500
Posted by 257WBY
Member since Feb 2014
5565 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 6:08 am to
Real good chance there is a difference in the habitat on the boundary that will tell you where the line is. That’s not a legal description, but won’t be hard to see.
Posted by Tigerpaw123
Louisiana
Member since Mar 2007
17253 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 6:52 am to
If you have the corners marked you can do it yourself, put a t post on each found corner, clear a line of sight between that and the next one and run a string

Mulching is expensive, about $150/ hour, and depending on vegetation can be several hours per acre, then you still have the mess of the mulched by product, you said you wanted to till that back into the soil, ???, you will need a hell of a tiller, I would get an estimate from someone with a dozer and track hoe
Posted by fishfighter
RIP
Member since Apr 2008
40026 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 7:22 am to
OP, find your lines and paint some tree trunks 6' up.
Posted by gsm1060
Tree stand
Member since Dec 2009
683 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 7:31 am to
Hire a good local reputable surveyor to do this please. This is not a great DIY project. If you mistakenly clear and fence some of your neighbors property it could cost you thousands of dollars to resolve. The surveyor can coordinate with the forestry mulcher to make sure these lines are accurate and legal.
Posted by go_tigres
Member since Sep 2013
5153 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 8:00 am to
If it’s highly irregular shape I’d recommend getting a surveyor out there to avoid any issues with neighboring owners.
Posted by TigrrrDad
Member since Oct 2016
7106 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 8:14 am to
Just got a couple rough estimates so far, but dozing and burning was $3,000/acre, whereas mulching was $1,200/acre.
Posted by Jack Daniel
In the bottle
Member since Feb 2013
25419 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 8:18 am to
quote:

If you have the corners marked you can do it yourself, put a t post on each found corner, clear a line of sight between that and the next one and run a string

But he said the property is not square
Posted by Houston Texas Tiger
Houston
Member since Jul 2004
1414 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 8:41 am to
Typically in cases like this the surveyor works with the clearing contractor and surveys just ahead of the dozer doing the clearing. They will use GPS and keep the alignment and set preliminary stakes for the clearing then set lathes and property corners with rods behind the dozer following it as its cleared. I wouldn't just have the surveyor set stakes. They get run over and you typically don't ultimately know if they've been moved or if the boundary is correct.

Costs very greatly based on location and tree size. Is burning allowed or is it hauled off?

Boundary survey costs will vary based on lot configuration. Rectangle I would expect boundary in the $2500 range. Could go up from there.

Mulching is fine but it will only get trees less than 4". Typically will do that if there is thick underbrush only.
Posted by civiltiger07
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2011
14022 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 8:46 am to
Where are you located?
Posted by TigerstuckinMS
Member since Nov 2005
33687 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 9:39 am to
quote:

But he said the property is not square


As long as the property lines are straight and not curved, the property still has corners. If it's not square, it just might have more corners. You still can mark the corners and string between consecutive corners to outline the property.

I absolutely would not try to DIY the surveying to mark corners. Pay a professional surveyor to come out and shoot the property to mark the corners. Then, if there are any frickups and you end up mulching your neighbor's trees, the surveyor will bear some or all of the liability for improperly marking the property.
Posted by TigrrrDad
Member since Oct 2016
7106 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 10:23 am to
The property isn’t curved -all straight lines and corners but a bunch of them.

Located in Folsom.
Posted by Tigerpaw123
Louisiana
Member since Mar 2007
17253 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 10:39 am to
quote:

But he said the property is not square


does not matter
Posted by civiltiger07
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2011
14022 posts
Posted on 6/26/20 at 2:15 pm to
If you want a surveyor to go look at it my fishing buddy has his PLS and does side jobs on his own.
Posted by White Bear
Yonnygo
Member since Jul 2014
13819 posts
Posted on 6/27/20 at 8:04 am to
If the corners are marked, there is a slim chance the lines between were cleared or possibly flagged. Doubtful but a chance. Either way, marking/flagging the lines between the corners can be done with a handheld compass and bearing info from your survey plat.
This post was edited on 6/27/20 at 8:06 am
Posted by rodnreel
South La.
Member since Apr 2011
1314 posts
Posted on 6/27/20 at 8:59 am to
Being a surveyor some of the advise given here is interesting to say the least.

The survey plat should be signed and stamped by the surveyor in charge. Usually there is contact info., address and phone no. on the plat. Using the same firm again would be in your best interest because they are familiar with the property.

There are several solutions to do what you need done.
Visit with the surveyor to discuss what is the best option. My suggestion is to let him/her set one or more metal monuments along the lines plus temporary wooden stakes in between so the clearing crew has something to follow.

Don't do this your self especially with a compass, a mistake can cost a lot of money. Bearing on a plat vs. compass bearing can vary greatly. A little bit of knowledge can be dangerous.

Posted by windshieldman
Member since Nov 2012
12818 posts
Posted on 6/27/20 at 9:20 am to
quote:

Being a surveyor some of the advise given here is interesting to say the least.

The survey plat should be signed and stamped by the surveyor in charge. Usually there is contact info., address and phone no. on the plat. Using the same firm again would be in your best interest because they are familiar with the property.

There are several solutions to do what you need done.
Visit with the surveyor to discuss what is the best option. My suggestion is to let him/her set one or more metal monuments along the lines plus temporary wooden stakes in between so the clearing crew has something to follow.

Don't do this your self especially with a compass, a mistake can cost a lot of money. Bearing on a plat vs. compass bearing can vary greatly. A little bit of knowledge can be dangerous.


As someone who is knowledgeable in the auto glass industry I agree with all this regarding land surveying
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