Property Lines and Surveys: What to Do Before a Fence Goes Up
A fence on the wrong side of a property line is the most expensive mistake in this trade, and it is avoidable. The line is the thing to get right before the first post goes in.
We build fences. We do not survey. Under Indiana law (IC 25-21.5-1-7), locating, establishing or marking a property line or corner is the practice of surveying, and it is done by a licensed professional surveyor. Above the Rest Fence does not locate or mark property lines and does not sell surveys.
How to know where your line is
A few places to look, in order of how definite they are: existing survey pins or markers at the corners; the survey from when you bought the house, often in the closing papers; and the recorded plat. County GIS maps are a rough guide only and are not a survey.
When to hire a surveyor
Call a licensed professional surveyor when no pins can be found, when the neighbor disagrees about the line, when the fence will run right on the line, or when there is an old fence that may not be on the line. In any of those, the line should be marked before the fence goes up.
Easements
The plat also shows drainage and utility easements. Several towns restrict fences in them. See the fence permit guide for what each town publishes.
What we need from you
We need the corners marked, or your direction on where the fence goes. We build where you tell us the line is. We do not locate or mark that line ourselves.
Common questions
Does Above the Rest Fence mark my property line?
No. We build fences. We do not survey and do not mark property lines or corners. Under Indiana law (IC 25-21.5-1-7), locating, establishing or marking a property line or corner is the practice of surveying, and it is done by a licensed professional surveyor. We do not sell surveys.
How do I find my property line?
Start with existing survey pins or markers at the corners, the survey from when you bought the house (often in the closing papers), and the recorded plat. County GIS maps are a rough guide only and are not a survey.
When should I hire a surveyor?
When no pins can be found, when the neighbor disagrees, when the fence will run right on the line, or when there is an old fence that may not be on the line. In each of those, a licensed professional surveyor should mark the line before the fence goes up.
What do easements have to do with my fence?
The plat also shows drainage and utility easements. Several towns restrict fences in them. Check the town's fence rules before building.
What do you need from me before the fence goes in?
We need the corners marked, or your direction on where the fence goes. We build where you tell us the line is. We do not locate or mark that line ourselves.
This is general information, not legal advice.