DIGGING INTO PROPERTY EASEMENTS—ANYONE ELSE FIND ONLINE TOOLS CONFUSING?
I’ve had clients get burned by those “free” online maps too. One guy was convinced his backyard extended a good 10 feet past where it actually did—turns out the GIS layer was off by a couple feet, and that’s all it took for the city to flag his new deck. Even with the best apps, you’re still relying on old data or aerial photos that don’t show pins or monuments. Has anyone here actually had luck with those paid online plat services? Or is it always back to hiring a surveyor when it really counts?
Has anyone here actually had luck with those paid online plat services? Or is it always back to hiring a surveyor when it really counts?
- Tried a couple of the paid plat sites—honestly, they’re just fancier versions of the free stuff. Still missing markers and sometimes outdated.
- For anything major (fences, decks, additions), I always end up calling a surveyor. Not cheap, but way less hassle than fixing mistakes later.
- Learned the hard way after building a shed “on my property”... city made me move it two feet. Never trusting just an app again.
Never trusting just an app again.
Totally get that. I’ve seen those online plats miss utility easements or old right-of-ways—stuff you’d never catch until it’s too late. It’s frustrating, but double-checking with a pro really does save headaches down the line.
Honestly, those online maps are just a starting point—they’re nowhere near the full picture. I’ve had clients get burned thinking a digital plat was gospel, only to find a buried gas line or some ancient easement that never made it onto the app. It’s tempting to trust the tech, but nothing beats walking the site with a surveyor and digging into the county records. The peace of mind is worth every penny, especially when you’re about to break ground.
You nailed it—those online tools are handy for a quick look, but man, they’re just the tip of the iceberg. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen folks get tripped up by some weird utility line or an old right-of-way that nobody bothered to digitize. I get the appeal of tech (I mean, who doesn’t want things to be easier?), but nothing replaces actually being on the ground and sifting through those dusty records. It’s a hassle, sure, but better than getting blindsided mid-project.
