Should You Get a Property Survey ?

If you’re buying a home in New Jersey, one question does come up with buyers is: “Do I need a property survey?”

A survey is a professional drawing that shows your property boundaries, structures, fences, driveways, and easements. While not always required, it’s one of the best ways to protect yourself from surprises — and it often reveals issues that title insurance won’t cover.

Here’s what buyers should know before closing.

What a Property Survey Shows

A licensed surveyor creates a detailed map of your lot. It typically identifies:

• Exact property boundaries.
• Location of the home, garage, fences, and driveways.
• Easements for utilities or shared driveways.
• Encroachments (for example, if a neighbor’s driveway crosses your line).

Are Surveys Covered by Title Insurance?

This is where many buyers get confused. Title insurance policies do not automatically cover survey-related issues like boundary disputes, easements, or encroachments.

• If no survey is ordered, these issues remain outside the protection of your title policy.
• However, if you order a survey and provide it to the title company, they can review it and add coverage for those items.
• This is your chance to identify problems before closing — when you still have leverage to go back to the seller and ask for corrections.

👉 Bottom line: Title companies don’t require a survey, but they strongly recommend it because it reveals issues that could otherwise become your problem after closing.

How to Order a Survey

The process is simple:

• Your agent or attorney can send an email request along with your purchase contract.
• The title company will then order a survey from a licensed professional in the county where the property is located.

Timeline for Surveys

Surveys typically do not delay closing.

• Most surveyors schedule based on your closing date so the survey is as current as possible.
• Typical turnaround: 1–2 weeks, depending on property size.
• This timing ensures the survey reflects the latest conditions (for example, if fences were recently moved).

Costs of a Property Survey in NJ

Survey costs vary by property size and complexity:

• Typical lot: $700–$800 for about one acre.
• Larger properties: Prices increase with acreage. For example, a 2-acre property will cost more than a standard lot.
• Local surveyors may charge less if they’ve recently worked in your neighborhood, since they already have data on file.
• Buyers can always request a quote in advance to confirm it fits their budget.

Why a Survey Is Worth It

• Protects your rights: Know your true boundaries.
• Reveals surprises: Easements, encroachments, or driveways crossing lines.
• Supports future projects: You’ll need one for adding fences, pools, or additions.
• Adds title coverage: If purchased before closing, the title insurance company can insure against survey-related issues.

The Bottom Line

A property survey isn’t always required in New Jersey, but it’s often worth the investment. For a few hundred dollars, you can avoid buying hidden problems and gain leverage to resolve issues before closing.