Why You Shouldn’t Skip A Commercial Land Survey

05/05/2026 11:22 AM Mark Goodman

It pays to know as much about a property as possible before closing day arrives, because once you take over, you’re on the hook if issues arise. We help clients perform title searches prior to closing so that they can ensure they are purchasing a title that’s clear of defects and other potential issues, but another type of investigation that we recommend during the due diligence stage is a land survey.

Some prospective buyers believe that a land survey isn’t all that important because the property’s boundaries appear obvious or they really don’t care to know exactly where one property ends and the neighboring property begins, but learning more about the land you’re purchasing is essential and can help you avoid major expenses down the road. Below, we explore a few of the reasons why you shouldn’t skip a land survey when purchasing commercial property.

Know Clear Boundaries - First and foremost, a land survey will explain exactly where your property starts and where the neighbor’s property ends. This ensures you know where to build a fence or where you can put that outbuilding on your property without going onto the neighbor’s land. Don’t assume that roads, tree lines or even a current fence location correctly depicts the property’s boundaries. Know it for a fact by securing a land survey.
Discover Current Issues - A land survey may find that the current property owner actually built a fence on a neighbor’s property, or it could identify a tree that is encroaching on your space from a neighbor’s property. Having these issues identified and rectified prior to closing can ensure they don’t become your expense to fix once you sign on the dotted line. Property owners and neighbors may not be aware of current issues, so don’t just assume that everything is as it should be. Get the survey and make sure everything is correct.
Utility Lines - A land survey will also map out where specific utility lines are on the property. If you’re planning on making some upgrades to the property or will be doing any sort of digging, it pays to know where underground pipes and wires are located so that you don’t damage underground infrastructure in the process.
Zoning And Land Use Rights - A land survey will also establish the zoning laws and land use rights associated with a specific property. If the property is zoned differently than imagined, you may not be able to operate your business as intended, so you’ll want to learn more about zoning and land use rights with the help of a land survey.
Flood Zone Risk - A land survey can determine if a commercial property is located within a flood zone and determine its overall flood risk. If you find out a property is in a high-risk area, you’ll likely have to pay a lot more for insurance, which can greatly impact your bottom line. Having to account for potential repairs as a result of flooding and high premiums is something you’ll want to know before you close on a property.

Commercial investors need to make informed decisions about the properties they are targeting, and one of the simplest ways to do that is by hiring a professional to conduct a land survey before closing. We have worked with a number of experienced surveyors in our line of work, and we can help you connect with someone who can look into the property while we’re investigating a property’s title. For more information about land surveys or researching properties prior to closing, connect with the team at Commercial Partners today at (612) 337-2470.