At a glance
Boundary or property survey on a residential parcel in Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Renton, or nearby cities.
Most realistic when the lot is accessible, records are usable, and the requested deliverable is narrow.
Seattle, Eastside, slope, shoreline, woods, topo, flood, ALTA, or dispute scope.
King County has the largest visible surveyor cluster in Washington.
King County survey cost by project type
| Project type | Typical range | Best fit | What changes the estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential boundary or property survey | $700 to $2,500 | Fences, additions, purchases, and property-line questions | City, records, monuments, access, slope, improvements, and final deliverable |
| Corner or line staking | $800 to $2,800 | Fence layout, visible corners, or line marking | Number of points, missing evidence, brush, and whether boundary research is complete |
| Seattle or Eastside infill lot | $1,200 to $4,500+ | Older lots, tight setbacks, additions, retaining walls, and property-line conflicts | Density, easements, improvements, slope, access, and municipal comments |
| Shoreline, lakefront, or steep parcel | $1,500 to $6,000+ | Waterfront, hillside, critical-area, permit, or floodplain context | Water frontage, slope, access, benchmarks, critical-area context, and topo needs |
| Topographic survey | $1,200 to $5,000+ | Design, grading, drainage, additions, engineering, and site planning | Contours, utilities, trees, structures, CAD, and site density |
| ALTA/NSPS survey | $3,000 to $12,000+ | Commercial purchase, refinance, lender or title-company request | Title exceptions, Table A items, easements, utilities, improvements, and deadline |
Which survey should you ask for?
Use the reason for the work instead of asking for a generic land survey. That helps firms price the same scope and helps you avoid paying for the wrong deliverable.
Fence, addition, or property-line issue
- Ask for
- Boundary survey with corners marked, line staking, or both.
- Send first
- ZIP, city, parcel number, old survey, photos, proposed work location, and deadline.
- Watch for
- Slope, retaining walls, dense improvements, and missing corners can expand the scope.
Shoreline, hillside, drainage, or design work
- Ask for
- Boundary plus topo, topo only, or elevation information depending on the permit or designer request.
- Send first
- Permit comment, engineer note, flood determination, prior survey, site photos, and access notes.
- Watch for
- Topo and elevation work are separate from marking the property line.
Commercial or title request
- Ask for
- ALTA/NSPS survey if the lender or title company requested it.
- Send first
- Title commitment, Table A items, exception documents, lender instructions, and closing date.
- Watch for
- Title documents usually drive scope more than parcel size.
King County prices are driven by terrain and stakes
A small parcel in King County can still be a careful survey assignment. Steep grades, retaining walls, dense improvements, shoreline rules, older plats, and permit-driven topo requests all affect the work.
When requesting an estimate, name the actual decision: fence, addition, drainage, design, flood insurance, commercial title, or boundary dispute. That gives the firm a real scope instead of a generic land survey request.
Why King County prices move so much
Slope changes field work
Hillsides, retaining walls, drainage, and difficult access can turn a simple-looking parcel into a design or topo assignment.
Waterfront property adds context
Lake, shoreline, and Puget Sound parcels can involve flood maps, setbacks, critical-area context, benchmarks, and permit needs.
Seattle and Eastside density matters
Fences, driveways, garages, additions, easements, and tight setbacks make boundary work more sensitive.
Commercial work follows title instructions
ALTA/NSPS surveys depend on title exceptions, Table A items, easements, utilities, improvements, and closing deadlines.
What local supply says about your estimate
Find Land Surveyor currently lists 48 surveying firm or office profiles in King County, with broader Washington supply strongest around King, Spokane, Pierce, Snohomish, Clark, Whatcom, Thurston, Benton, Yakima, and Grays Harbor.
King County estimates depend heavily on the site setting. A flat suburban lot, a tight Seattle infill parcel, a steep hillside, a Lake Washington waterfront property, and a commercial title request are different survey products.
Before you request an estimate
- Location: ZIP, city, county, parcel ID, subdivision, lot number, and nearest cross street if access is difficult.
- Reason: fence, dispute, purchase, refinance, addition, grading, flood insurance, permit, rural land, or commercial closing.
- Property details: lot size, slope, woods, water, gates, tenants, pets, locked access, utilities, existing structures, and active construction.
- Documents: deed, prior survey, title request, permit comment, plat, flood determination, photos, or lender instructions.
- Deliverable: corners marked, full line staking, signed plan, CAD file, topo, elevation certificate, ALTA/NSPS survey, or recordable plat.
- Timing: closing date, fence install, permit deadline, insurance renewal, contractor start, or flexible timing.
Cost traps to avoid
Comparing different scopes
Corner staking, a boundary survey, a topo survey, an elevation certificate, and an ALTA/NSPS survey are different products. Ask what the estimate includes.
Treating parcel maps as proof
County GIS and tax maps are useful research tools. They are not a substitute for a licensed boundary survey when a fence, dispute, closing, or permit depends on the line.
Hiding the deadline
Rush timing can change both availability and price. Say the real deadline early so the firm can tell you whether it can help.
Leaving out records you already have
A prior survey, deed, title request, recorded plat, permit comment, or flood determination can save time and help the firm price the work correctly.
Links to check first
Useful for parcel and property research before requesting an estimate.
Use this to verify a Washington professional land surveyor.
Copy and paste this to a surveyor
Use this when you want a clean estimate and a clear answer about fit.
How to verify a Washington surveyor
Washington professional land surveyors are licensed through BRPELS. Verify the responsible professional and ask whether the estimate includes boundary research, corner marking, line staking, topo, elevation certificate, or ALTA/NSPS scope.