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JohnM102 (Arizona)
Posts: 24
Posted:
I recently started searching online for Surveying software for Androids. Has anyone used any such applications and if so, what would they recommend? I've found what is listed as the top eight applications, but still find it difficult to select one.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062
Posted:
John,

In case you are unaware, the mentioning of names or products are against the posting rules of this forum. Therefore, I don't think we can truly offer advice online. If you care to offer an email, anyone who has info can contact you offline.

If you don't want to share your email, and I understand that, consider making an email account specifically for this purpose using one of the many free email applications out there.

When I look for surveys, I hire a company who comes out, looks for stakes/markers and, for a price, will actually log the survey into a GPS map. I never considered using an app for a survey.

Hope this helps.

Tim
MichaelT21 (Arkansas)
Posts: 462
Posted:
John,

The GPS accuracy sadly is not survey grade. My understanding is that it is accurate to about 10 feet or so which isn't close enough for surveying purposes. It sort of gets you close but not really useful for any property line application. This is true of all GPS. There are specialized satellite providers (Omnistar) that correct GPS to get to a few inches but those systems are not available for occasional homeowner/HOA use.

The other issue is that the surveying industry is a licensed industry, and any type of surveying without a license is a legal violation.

We have had homeowners insist that the HOA define where the homeowner property line is. Tell us that is the job of the HOA. We decline and then they get mad at us...because they don't wnat to pay the cost of a licensed surveyor. I tell them and the other board members that there are basic responsibilities that come with home ownership. One of which is to know where your property corners are.
LoriM15 (Florida)
Posts: 1,009
Posted:
Our ACC would not accept a do-it-yourself survey. Our county posts property maps online for each account with the property appraiser's office (tax office). They overlay lines across a satellite picture. These are so far off that they aren't usable either.

A real property survey in our county costs less than $500. Many people have a survey done before closing on a property.

The ACC requires an accurate survey any time the homeowner is putting in fences or doing anything that may encroach on an easement. Easements are noted on the property survey. I don't believe a do-it-yourself survey would include all the easements or encroachments.
JackieB4 (California)
Posts: 398
Posted:
My experience here in CA: PMC (for 6 years) insisted sideyard fences were boundry fences and co=owned, needed neighbor's permission to replace, each pay 1/2 of costs. I knew this to be inaccurate (CCR's, bylaws) and attempted to meet with HOA BOD + PMC unsuccessfully. Each backyard side-fence is clearly attached 100% to each HO's home. To expedite the Vinyl replacement (35 year old wooden fence falling over) I got neighbor signature-approval, asked for NO money, and received ARC/PMC approval. My neighbor, with blessing of PMC, painted her side of Vinyl, invalidating my "no-painting" warranty. PMC restated the boundary claim, saying neighbor "could do what she wanted with her side." I paid a licensed surveyor $3000 for small, single family home lot. The fence (20') is on my property by 4'9". PMC maintained their position. I hired RE attorney ($3500) to clear this up. PMC legal sent a new "oops, you don't need permission to replace from your neighbor. Any other issues are between you and neighbor." The best news of all was Evil neighbor moved to East Coast. She had refused to cut a hugh palm tree pushing on the wooden fence.

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