As the technology in the world grew, the job of the land surveyor decreased inversely. Much like how the factory worker was being replaced with machinery that could do the same job, so too were land surveyors. As more apps and drones and smart phones come out with the basic technology to measure a piece of land, land surveyors had to define their jobs even more. That doesn’t mean technology will just completely replace a land surveyor though, as there is always a need for the human eye and the average land surveyor has more skills than just being able to measure a plot of dirt.
The main service that is difficult for a robot to replace happens to be boundary surveying; and while not every land surveyor is doing it, it’s the one job that can’t be replaced because the point of it is to be a licensed professional that can give a weighed opinion on a matter to deal with boundary lines. It’s this licensing that is the main reason land surveyors have to be controlled and regulated. Anyone can take out their smart phone and measure a plot of dirt, but land surveyors have been trained and learned what to look for to determine boundary line evidence.
The problem is, not all land surveyors take this boundary surveying seriously. Many land surveyors don’t even take the job for such a role despite the whole point of being licensed is to provide opinions in lawful matters around lands and locations. And the worst part is, some people are noticing that land surveyors just haven’t been caring to do that part of the job. This could result in the regulation of land surveyors to disappear completely.
As long as people still believe in the position that a land surveyor is more knowledgeable about boundaries then the jobs will stay active and the licensing will continue, but the more we enter into an era with drones and robots, the more we will have to fight for our jobs.
I think it is really good to hear that although there is a lot of technology that can be used to take care of land surveying, it is still good to have a personal opinion. This sounds really great to me, since a robot can scan the land and determine that it is good land, but only a person can look and determine the overall worth of the land. I also think it is good to have a trained professional look at the boundary lines, just to help make sure that it is accurate. Thanks for the great information about how this industry is evolving!
Most of the newer technology in measurement tools are just that, and additional tool. The trained professional land surveyor analyzise the results of the measurements and the deeds for the subject and adjoining properties to determine the boundaries of the land
Its interesting to me that there is such a great importance on boundary surveying! I like how you talked about robotics not being able to replace boundary surveying, and that it takes the weighed opinion of a licensed professional. I’m going to have to take a look into boundary surveying here at our new home, and I think that would help us to be able to put our fences in the right place as well.
I’m glad you mentioned how land surveying always needs a human eye to be able to measure. My cousins are looking to build a home on a plot of land that is close to a river. I think the area might have flood hazard issues, and I want them to be careful. I want them to get a land survey done in the area. Deciding whether or not it’s safe is definitely something that requires the human eye. I hope they will be able to find a professional in that area since it is kind of remote.
In addition to the boundaries of the land, it is important to consider whether your proposed or existing building is in a flood zone. Flood Insurance is mandated by most mortgage agencies and is very expensive if you are in a flood hazard area
I want to make sure that I get the right property. It makes sense that I would want to get a land surveyor! It’s a good thing that they are regulated, since that means that I can expect uniform results. They would be able to ensure that I know all of the aspects of the land.
Thanks for the great information about land surveyors. My son spotted a surveyor where a new subdivision is going and he wanted to know more about how it works. He thought it was neat to have a person use a tool to determine the boundary lines of a property. He couldn’t grasp how it worked if no lines were being drawn on the ground, so thanks for explaining it a lot better than I could.
Glad we were able to help explain the land surveying profession to your son.
It’s interesting that land surveyors are having to compete with drones and robots. My nephew is looking into becoming a land surveyor. He’ll have to keep that in mind as he goes forward.
I wish your nephew well. There is a need for young men and women to enter the profession. Drones and robots are another addition to the tools of the profession, giving more options for measurement.