A land survey costs $200 to $5,500 per survey in 2026
A land survey costs $200 to $5,500 in 2026, and sources differ a lot. Bob Vila puts the average at $526 and Fixr at $600. Angi puts it at $2,300. HomeGuide lists a boundary survey at $300 to $900, while Angi lists $1,200 to $5,500 for the same job. Lot size, survey type and local rates explain most of the gap. Get quotes from licensed surveyors near you.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Angi | Angi lists an average land survey at $2,300, boundary surveys at $1,200 to $5,500, mortgage surveys at $1,500 to $4,500 and surveyor labor at $220 to $450 per hour. |
| HomeGuide | HomeGuide lists land surveys at $200 to $1,200, boundary at $300 to $900, mortgage at $200 to $700 and one acre at $500 to $1,000. |
| Fixr | Fixr lists land surveys at $400 to $1,000 with a $600 national average, boundary at $200 to $2,000, topographic at $500 to $1,200, mortgage at $450 to $600 and ALTA at $2,000 to $3,000. |
| Bob Vila | Bob Vila lists land surveys at $376 to $745 with a $526 average, boundary at $100 to $600 and per acre pricing of $50 to $500. |
Land survey prices by type
| Survey type | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Boundary survey | $300 to $900 | HomeGuide |
| Boundary survey | $1,200 to $5,500 | Angi |
| Mortgage survey | $450 to $600 | Fixr |
| Topographic survey | $500 to $1,200 | Fixr |
| ALTA survey | $2,000 to $3,000 | Fixr |
| One acre | $500 to $1,000 | HomeGuide |
| Average land survey | $526 | Bob Vila |
| Average land survey | $2,300 | Angi |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Survey type | A boundary survey costs less than a topographic or ALTA survey. Fixr lists boundary at $200 to $2,000 and ALTA at $2,000 to $3,000. |
| Lot size | More land means more field time. Fixr lists $500 to $1,000 for one acre and $2,500 to $3,000 for ten acres. |
| Local rates | Surveyor rates differ by area, which helps explain why sources disagree. Angi lists surveyor labor at $220 to $450 an hour. |
| Records and land | Missing records, thick trees and steep ground add research and field time. Angi lists records research at $85 to $160 an hour. |
| Purpose | A mortgage survey costs less than a full survey for a new build. HomeGuide lists mortgage surveys at $200 to $700 and new construction surveys at $400 to $1,800. |
What the price includes
A survey usually covers records research, field work with a crew, the math and a signed map or plat showing the lines. Staking the corners, setting new markers, land clearing and extra copies often cost more. Angi lists records research at $85 to $160 an hour, so check if research time is in the quote. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Land surveys are done by licensed land surveyors and survey firms, not by general contractors. Most firms bill a flat fee for the job after they look at the lot and the records. Some bill by the hour. Angi lists surveyor labor at $220 to $450 an hour and records research at $85 to $160 an hour. HomeGuide lists boundary line adjustments at $75 to $150 an hour. Staking and extra copies may be separate. Ask for a flat quote, what it covers and when the stamped map will be ready.
When you need this
You need a survey when you buy land, build a fence or home, settle a line fight with a neighbor, split a lot, or when a lender or title company asks for one. A survey shows where your lines and corners are, and where easements or buildings sit. Check what you need first, since the survey type changes the price.
How to judge your quote
- Is the surveyor licensed in your state, and will the survey be signed and stamped?
- Which survey type is in the quote, and does it match what your lender or town needs?
- Are corner markers and staking in the price or billed apart?
- How many days will it take, and is any research time billed by the hour?
- Compare the total with the range above: $200 to $5,500 per survey for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Ask your county office for an old survey of your lot first. A recent survey on file may be enough and could save the whole fee.
- Pick the lowest cost survey type that does the job. HomeGuide lists mortgage surveys at $200 to $700 and boundary surveys at $300 to $900.
- Get at least three quotes from licensed surveyors. Prices differ by area, and the four sources here disagree on the average by hundreds of dollars.
- Clear brush and mark known corners before the crew arrives so they spend less time searching. Time on site is part of the bill.
- Share the cost with a neighbor when you both need the same shared line marked, and ask the surveyor if one visit can cover both lots.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Angi, HomeGuide, Fixr and Bob Vila. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a land survey cost?
Bob Vila lists $376 to $745 with a $526 average. Fixr lists $400 to $1,000 with a $600 average. Angi lists a $2,300 average.
How much is a boundary survey?
HomeGuide lists $300 to $900 and Bob Vila lists $100 to $600. Fixr lists $200 to $2,000. Angi lists $1,200 to $5,500.
How much does a survey cost per acre?
Fixr lists $500 to $1,000 for one acre and $2,500 to $3,000 for ten. Angi lists $800 to $5,500 per acre. Bob Vila lists $50 to $500 per acre.
How much is a mortgage survey?
HomeGuide lists $200 to $700 and Fixr lists $450 to $600. Bob Vila lists $500. Angi lists $1,500 to $4,500.
Why do the prices differ so much?
Sources use different data and different parcels. Angi lists surveyor labor at $220 to $450 an hour. Always get written quotes from licensed surveyors near you.