Chapter Ten - Surveys

Summary

Agricultural and land surveys

As a general practice of auctioneers and estate agents, surveyors and valuers, Peacocks was instructed to undertake a variety of surveys. This word may mean different things to people from various walks of life. For Peacocks’ agricultural and rural clients, however, surveys usually related to straightforward linear measurement of land and buildings prior to preparation of plans for sale, or for calculating areas to re-define boundaries.

For a surveyor, being instructed by one of the parties in a boundary dispute can be problematic, and is sometimes undertaken with reluctance. The outcome of such a dispute is rarely a happy one for either party, especially when the bills for legal costs and surveyor's fees arrive. The area in dispute might be minimal and the likely effect on the use and enjoyment of the property or its value insignificant. Sadly, the matter of ‘principle’ can enter the scene to cloud the judgement of the parties. A seemingly trivial matter to others can take on enormous proportions as first solicitors and then surveyors are called in.

Despite man's ability to determine the distance to the moon down to a few millimetres, the precise position of a boundary between two properties is almost impossible to exactly determine at every point along its length. What is shown on a plan as an apparently straight line may waver considerably, and surveyors may have to consider many aspects when working in the field. For example, where is the exact centre of an old hedge that has been growing for over a hundred years? Where, precisely, is the edge of a ditch that has become overgrown? Whose fence or wall is it anyway? Was the fence originally built exactly on the boundary line? Even if measurements are shown on a plan, where precisely do they run from and to? The thickness of a line on a small plan may scale up to be at least twelve inches or more wide. The only parties who ‘win’ from a dispute are usually the solicitors and surveyors whose fees are paid.

For parties to a boundary dispute, the personal trauma can adversely affect health for many years to come. If the parties can compromise by inviting a solicitor or surveyor to act as an arbitrator, and accept the finding in the award, much cost and worry can be saved.