Have you bought land and are planning to build a house? Wait, you may have missed an important legal step: the Peg-out survey. Ignoring it can cause you big legal trouble and can convert your happiness into chaos. It is a crucial step that explains where your property begins and ends legally.
It is also known as a land boundary marking survey and is conducted by a licensed surveyor to physically mark the corners and edges of your property with survey pegs. This type of survey ensures you avoid costly mistakes, legal disputes, and planning errors.
In this article, we will explain in depth what a peg out survey is, who needs it, and why you need it. So, keep reading!
What Is A Peg Out Survey?
A peg out survey is a kind of land survey that determines the exact boundaries of a plot. The peg surveyor places ‘pegs or nails’ at specific points around the property, indicating the precise corners or boundaries of the land. This type of survey helps builders know exactly where to construct foundations, walls, fences, or other structures.
It ensures that all development is done within the legal limits of your land, follows council approvals, and avoids costly mistakes or disputes. Please note that all peg-out surveys can only be carried out by fully insured, registered surveyors.
When Do You Need a Peg Out Survey?
Here are a few scenarios when you need peg out surveys:
- Before building a new house or commercial building
- Prior to constructing extensions, granny flats, or additions
- When installing fences, retaining walls, pools, or driveways near boundaries
- Before starting construction, the structure must meet council setback requirements
- For land subdivision to mark new lot boundaries accurately
- When council or building approvals require site set-out verification
- To avoid boundary disputes or construction errors before work begins
What’s the Purpose of Peg Out Surveys
Here are some benefits of peg out surveys when buying property in Australia or other parts of the world.
Clearly mark legal property boundaries
One of the main purposes of a peg-out survey is to clearly identify and mark the legal boundaries of your property on the ground. These physical markers indicate precisely where a property starts and ends, so you or the builder does not accidentally build over boundary lines. This is particularly important in urban areas, where the boundaries are packed closely together and even small errors can cause disputes with neighbours.
Ensure buildings match approved plans
Peg out surveys, transfer approved architectural and engineering plans onto the actual site. By marking the exact position of corners, walls, and other structures, the survey ensures construction is carried out exactly as approved by the council. This helps avoid situations where a building is constructed outside approved setbacks.
Meet council and regulatory requirements
Most local councils will need a peg out survey prior to building, particularly for new homes, additions or where buildings are close to boundaries. Peg out surveys can show that you are complying with planning approvals, building permits, and local zoning laws, which can help smooth your inspections and approvals.
Prevent costly construction errors
Accurate peg placement reduces the risk of errors during construction. Builders use these markers to level footings, slabs, and walls. Without a peg-out survey, mistakes could lead to slimming down or tearing up and moving existing structures, resulting in unnecessary costs and delays.
Improve on-site coordination
Peg out surveys act as a visual reference to you, builders, engineers, and inspectors. This common reference helps avoid confusion and guarantees that all construction is based on the same measurements and has the same layout.
Support subdivision and land development
Peg out surveys are also important in subdivision projects to ensure new lot boundaries are accurately marked. These checks can facilitate correct land divisions and enable the processing of new titles, which limits future ownership or boundary issues.
Protect property owners and builders
Overall, the purpose of a peg-out survey is to protect all parties, including you and the builders involved in a project. By ensuring accuracy, legal compliance, and clarity, peg out surveys help you build a house with confidence and give builders a reliable foundation to work from.
Difference Between a Peg Out Survey and a Traditional Land Survey
A traditional land survey focuses on identifying and measuring existing property boundaries and features, usually presented in a report or plan. It confirms where legal boundaries lie but does not physically mark construction points.
A peg out survey, on the other hand, is a physical mark that approves the building positions or boundaries on the ground. In this case, surveyors use pegs or markers to clarify boundaries for construction. It is done before construction to show exactly where structures need to be built.
Closing Words
Peg out surveys are very important, and they servea great purpose in completing your construction legally. So, make sure you don’t miss them and hire a trained and registered surveyor for your peg-out survey. You can contact Property Buyers Australia for any help you need for buying or selling property in Australia or for hiring a reputable peg-out surveyor.
FAQs
How accurate are peg-out surveys in marking property lines?
Peg out surveys are very accurate, especially when done by a registered land surveyor. They use professional-grade tools and GPS technology, ensuring measurements meet strict state surveying standards.
How long does a house peg-out survey take?
A standard house peg-out survey often takes 2 to 5 hours on-site. But the time depends on the size and complexity of your property or land. Preparation for the survey includes reviewing plans and titles. Larger homes, sloping land, or sites with unclear boundaries may take longer.
What are red flags on a peg-out survey?
Red flags on a peg-out survey include missing or unclear pegs, discrepancies between pegs and approved plans, or buildings positioned too close to boundaries. Other warning signs are pegs that appear recently moved, inconsistent measurements, or surveys done by unregistered individuals.
