DIGGING INTO PROPERTY EASEMENTS—ANYONE ELSE FIND ONLINE TOOLS CONFUSING?
You’re not wrong—digital maps are convenient, but I’ve learned the hard way not to trust them for anything critical. Last year, I tried lining up a fence based on the county’s GIS map and the old plat from when our place was subdivided. Turns out, the online map was about four feet off compared to the survey stakes I finally found buried in the weeds. Four feet doesn’t sound like much until it’s your neighbor’s shed you’re accidentally fencing in.
Honestly, there’s something to be said for boots on the ground and a tape measure. Those old plats might look ancient, but at least they’re tied to actual survey markers (assuming you can find them). The digital stuff is fine for ballpark ideas, but if you’re building or digging, I’d always double-check with a physical survey. It’s wild how many folks just assume Google Maps is gospel. I get that tech is handy, but nothing beats getting your hands dirty and seeing where those lines really fall.
DIGGING INTO PROPERTY EASEMENTS—ANYONE ELSE FIND ONLINE TOOLS CONFUSING?
Totally get where you’re coming from. Those online maps are handy for a quick look, but I’ve seen them be off by a good chunk—enough to cause headaches if you’re not careful. I once thought my property line ran right along a tree line (thanks to the county GIS), but the surveyor showed me it was actually several feet the other way... right through what I thought was my backyard. It’s wild how much small errors can snowball. Double-checking with a proper survey is always worth it, even if it feels like overkill at first.
Double-checking with a proper survey is always worth it, even if it feels like overkill at first.
Couldn’t agree more. Those online tools are fine for a ballpark idea, but I’d never trust them for anything serious—especially when you’re talking about high-value property. I’ve seen neighbors get into ugly disputes over a few feet because they relied on those maps. Honestly, spending the money on a real survey upfront saves so much hassle (and legal fees) down the line. It’s not overkill—it’s just smart.
Title: Digging into property easements—anyone else find online tools confusing?
I get the logic behind hiring a surveyor, but is it always necessary? For example, if you’re just putting in a small garden or fence and you’re nowhere near the supposed boundary, isn’t that overkill? I’ve used those online maps for rough planning and never had an issue—though maybe I’ve just been lucky. Curious if anyone’s actually had a surveyor find something wildly different from what the online tools showed. Sometimes it feels like the risk is a bit overblown, especially if you’re not dealing with a huge investment.
I get the logic behind hiring a surveyor, but is it always necessary? For example, if you’re just putting in a small garden or fence and you’re nowhere near the supposed boundary, isn’t that overkill?
Honestly, I’m with you on this. For minor stuff like a flower bed or a short fence well away from the property line, paying for a full survey feels like burning money. Those online maps aren’t perfect, but they’re usually close enough for small projects. I’ve put up two fences using county GIS maps as a rough guide—never had any issues with neighbors or the city.
If you’re not building right on the line or pouring serious cash into something permanent, the risk seems pretty low. Maybe if you have really picky neighbors or there’s some weird easement situation, it could bite you, but that’s rare in my experience. Surveyors are great for big investments or when things look sketchy, but for basic yard work? I’d rather save the cash.
