It is essential to note that Land Surveying has been an important function in improvement of the the human environment. It has been an integral part of planning and implementation of any type of construction. Its latest usage has spanned into the field of transportation, buildings, telecommunications, mapping and establishment of legal boundaries of land ownership. Until recently the basic tools used for land surveying were, tape measuring the short distances, a Level for determining the elevation differences, and theodolite for to measure the angles horizontally and vertically along with triangulation. Today, more sophisticated instrument such as total station is widely used. The total station is a theodolite with an electronic distant measurement device (EDM) which can be used for horizontal, vertical, angular measurements. Since the introduction of the total station, it has evolved from optical-mechanical device to fully computerized full electronic device. The top of the range total stations are no longer dependent on reflector or prism and are fully automatic or robotic, can even e-mail field data to the office computer via Global Position System.

The best way to find a Chartered Surveyor is through the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) or through a respected directory. A thorough directory will list all available survey companies in a local region, and give brief details of the company history and what they offer. The reason why they are perfect for businesses looking to invest in a building, is because they cover every aspect required when it comes to funding a purchase through a bank loan or pension fund. A Chartered Survey will show any problems or defects with structural deficits, and also analyse the land on which the building stands for any problems like flood plains or radon gases.

Another part of their practice, especially in the 21st Century, is to advise on environmental issues. With sustainability at the forefront of green business and local government incentives, buying new offices which are in-efficient and outdated is something to beware of. Surveyors enrolled with the RICS are qualified to give reports on these issues.

Most states’ minimal standards for surveying require that the surveyor provides a complete and unequivocal definition of land boundaries with enough information to allow the description to be plotted. Generally, this legal description must follow one of several surveying standards, such as the Public Land Survey System, or the metes and bounds system, which describes how such measurements are to be taken and described. Between states, there is very little variation with regards to how this information is to be presented.

Although these are general rules for conducting a survey, the guidelines set forth by many states go into much greater detail. Most state requirements outline the minimal standards for conducting the actual land survey, as well. These may include searching thoroughly for past surveying monuments, cooperating with appropriate public officials, and making sufficient measurements to be able to verify that the work is accurate. In the course of the survey, a surveyor must often set monuments to record the boundaries on the physical property. Other requirements may outline exactly what material should be used for the monuments.

Land surveyors must be licensed in the state in which they work. The licensing requirements generally include a test, which will require knowledge of minimal standards of land surveying as they are set out in the laws for that particular state. These guidelines often include ethical statements, such as stipulations that the minimal requirements should not be accepted as the only standard for the practice of land surveying. Other professional conduct standards written for land surveyors may address issues such as conflict of interest or knowingly signing off on a survey that does follow minimum standards.