Start with Licensed Professionals Only
In Utah, only a licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) can legally prepare and sign a survey plat or Record of Survey that affects property boundaries. This is governed by Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 22. Using an unlicensed person to survey property is not just risky but potentially creates legal problems if the survey is challenged or used in a dispute.
Every surveyor in our Utah directory holds a current license issued by the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). These firms have passed state licensing exams, met education and experience requirements, and are accountable to DOPL's enforcement process.
Search by County
Utah has 29 counties, and surveyor availability varies significantly by region. The Wasatch Front counties, Salt Lake, Utah, Weber, Davis, Cache, and Washington, have the highest concentrations of licensed firms. Rural counties like Garfield, San Juan, Emery, and Beaver have fewer options, and some areas may have only one or two firms within reasonable distance.
Searching by county helps you find firms that already know the local recorder's office, have prior surveys in your area on file, and can complete the job without lengthy travel. Use the county pages in our directory to find surveyors near your property.
What to Look for When Comparing Firms
Specific Services Offered
Not every surveying firm handles every type of survey. Some specialize in residential boundary work. Others focus on commercial ALTA surveys, construction staking, or topographic mapping. When you call, describe your project clearly: a fence dispute, a building permit, a pre-closing boundary confirmation, or a flood insurance elevation certificate. Confirm the firm handles that type of work before going further.
Turnaround Time
Survey lead times on the Wasatch Front can stretch four to six weeks during spring and fall when construction activity peaks. Southern Utah around St. George, one of the fastest-growing markets in the country, also has high demand. If your timeline is firm, ask about current availability before getting deep into a quote.
Licensing in Good Standing
Every surveyor in our Utah directory is sourced from DOPL licensing records. Utah licenses professional land surveyors under the Engineers and Land Surveyors Licensing Act and tracks license status through DOPL's online verification system. Any firm you hire should hold an active PLS license.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- Do you have any prior surveys on file for this property or the surrounding parcels?
- What does the quote include, specifically corners set, plat preparation, and county filing?
- What format is the final deliverable? Do I get a digital file as well as a signed paper plat?
- Are there any potential complications you can identify from the deed or parcel map?
- What is your current lead time?
Understanding Survey Deliverables
A completed boundary survey in Utah typically includes a Record of Survey filed with the county recorder, a signed and sealed plat showing the parcel with bearings and distances, physical corner monuments set in the ground, and in many cases a digital file for your records. Ask specifically what you will receive.
For elevation certificates, the deliverable is the completed FEMA EC form signed and sealed by the PLS. For ALTA surveys, you receive a plat meeting current ALTA/NSPS standards, which can be substantial in detail.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
One of the most common mistakes Utah property owners make is hiring the cheapest quote without asking what it includes. A quote that excludes corner monuments, county filing fees, or field-to-finish processing can look cheap upfront but add costs later. Another common issue is rushing the job. Surveying has a research phase that cannot be compressed. Firms that quote very fast turnarounds may be skipping deed research that matters.
Find Surveyors in Your County
Use our Utah directory to browse firms by county. Each county page lists licensed Professional Land Surveyors with contact information. Call two to three firms, ask the questions above, and compare before committing to a firm.