Survey Costs in Burleigh County
Burleigh County has 17 licensed surveying firms, all based in Bismarck. That concentration of licensed professionals creates a reasonably competitive market for standard residential and commercial survey work. Costs vary by survey type, parcel characteristics, and the complexity of any flood zone or PLSS work involved.
| Survey Type | Typical Cost in Burleigh County |
|---|---|
| Residential boundary survey (Bismarck suburbs) | $550 to $1,100 |
| Residential boundary survey (rural or large lot) | $900 to $1,200+ |
| ALTA/NSPS survey (commercial) | $2,000 to $5,000 |
| Elevation certificate (Missouri River floodplain) | $350 to $650 |
| Agricultural parcel survey | Varies by acreage and monument condition |
What Drives Survey Costs in Burleigh County
PLSS Corner Recovery on Farm Parcels
The largest cost driver for agricultural surveys in Burleigh County is PLSS corner recovery. Farm parcels throughout the county are described using section, township, and range designations from the Public Land Survey System. Before a surveyor can establish parcel boundaries, they must locate original section corners and quarter-section corners. In rural Burleigh County, some of these monuments have not been visited or verified in many years. Difficult terrain, cultivated fields, and decades of agricultural activity can bury or displace corners, requiring more field time and research to reestablish. This is why agricultural survey costs are quoted individually rather than by a standard rate.
Missouri River Floodplain Complexity
Properties near the Missouri River in Bismarck sit within or adjacent to the Zone AE floodplain. Elevation certificates for these properties require a licensed surveyor to visit the site, measure the lowest floor elevation, and compare it to the applicable Base Flood Elevation shown on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map for Burleigh County. The Heart River confluence south of Bismarck adds additional flood zone area affecting properties in that corridor. Floodplain work adds time and specialized knowledge to a project, which is reflected in the cost range of $350 to $650 for elevation certificates in this area.
Large Agricultural Parcel Acreage
Even when PLSS corners are in good condition and well documented, large farm parcels simply take more time to survey than typical residential lots. Travel to remote sections, longer traverse lines, and more area to document all contribute to higher costs for agricultural work. If you own a large farm parcel in the eastern or southern parts of Burleigh County, request an itemized estimate that separates field time, research time, and monument recovery.
ALTA Survey Requirements for Bismarck Commercial Properties
Commercial transactions along State Street, the Bismarck Expressway, and in the area surrounding the State Capitol complex routinely require ALTA surveys. The ALTA/NSPS standards require surveyors to document improvements, easements, encroachments, utilities, and other items that go far beyond a basic boundary survey. This additional scope is reflected in the $2,000 to $5,000 price range for commercial ALTA work in Bismarck. Multi-parcel assemblages or sites with many recorded easements will fall toward the higher end of that range.
Growing Suburbs and New Plats
Residential growth in the Lincoln area and north Bismarck generates demand for boundary surveys on newer subdivisions. These areas benefit from recently recorded plats and freshly set monuments, which can streamline field work. Surveyors often complete standard residential boundary surveys in these areas at the lower end of the $550 to $1,100 range when monument records are current and accessible.
Getting Accurate Quotes
When contacting surveying firms in Burleigh County, give each firm the same information: the parcel's legal description or address, any prior surveys you have, the purpose of the survey, and your timeline. With 17 firms available, comparing two or three quotes is a practical way to make sure you are getting a fair price. Turnaround times for residential boundary surveys in Bismarck are typically two to four weeks, with agricultural parcels sometimes taking longer depending on weather and field conditions.
Find a Licensed Surveyor in Burleigh County
Every surveyor in our Burleigh County directory is sourced from state licensing records and holds an active North Dakota Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license. Browse licensed firms serving Bismarck and surrounding Burleigh County at /north-dakota/burleigh/.