Be Clear with Your Client as to Whether It's a Survey or Something Else

Use proper terminology so your client isn't misled about what they're getting.

The majority of real estate buyer clients will at some point use the term "survey" for the document they're receiving in the transaction. In many cases it's not a "survey" with the included surveyor liability and warranties of accuracy.

The mortgage company and title insurer involved in a real estate transaction want some assurance that the improvements being purchased are actually completely situated on the property and that there are no significant encroachments of other adjacent property improvements. This is accomplished at less expense and in a shorter time period by ordering an Improvement Location Certificate or Report. It is not a full survey, takes less time to complete and costs less. It's purpose is to provide the location of the structures and improvements in relation to property boundaries.

Most of these documents state that they are not to be used by the property owner in any way, and that they are only for the use of the title insurer and/or mortgage company. So, be sure that when your client is using the term "survey", that you clarify for them exactly what they're getting. They need to know that it's not usable by them in the future for purposes that require a survey.