Initial Consultation: In this meeting, it will be determined what kind of a survey is necessary for the job at hand.
Research: Research will be gathered from various offices county or city offices. Depending on the job, government agencies such as the Iowa Department of Transportation or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources may need to be contacted.
Fieldwork: This will involve locating existing Section corners, monuments and evidence of boundary lines such as fences, field division and yard divisions. Other improvements on the property can also be located such as buildings, driveways, ponds, utilities, etc. at owners request.
Compilation of Research and Field Work: Deeds along with the field notes will be used to calculate the existing job at hand. Plats will be drawn up which will include a diagram of the survey, surveyors report, certificates and a legal description of the property if applicable.
Boundary Marking: In most cases, another trip will need to be made to the property to set any missing or newly established property corners. Typical monuments set are mag nails, iron rebar or iron pipes with a colored cap embossed with the surveyor's registration number.
Finalizing the Process: The plats of survey are taken to the courthouse for recording. The plats will be reviewed and signed off on by different offices in the courthouse if applicable. If necessary, a copy of the recorded survey can be taken to an attorney or title company so that a deed can be prepared to transfer the property.