How much does a boundary survey cost in Plymouth County?

Boundary surveys in Plymouth County run $500 to $1,300. Coastal lots in Marshfield, Scituate, and Duxbury are at the top of that range due to tidal boundaries and wetland complexity. Inland suburban lots in Hanover, Pembroke, or Rockland typically run $500 to $900.

Why are surveys in Marshfield and Scituate more expensive?

Both towns have extensive coastal wetlands, tidal marshes, and barrier beach frontage. Surveys here require accurate delineation of the mean high water line, coordination with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, and often FEMA flood zone analysis. These steps add time and expertise to every coastal project.

How does Plymouth Town’s colonial land system affect surveys?

Plymouth is one of the oldest settled towns in North America. Its deed history includes original Plymouth Colony grants with informal metes-and-bounds descriptions. Researching these chains at the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds requires surveyors comfortable with 17th and 18th century deed language.

Do I need a survey for a cranberry bog property in Plymouth County?

For any transaction or boundary dispute involving a cranberry bog, yes. Bog properties often have complex setback and water management rights attached. A boundary survey that identifies the bog boundaries, upland limits, and any drainage easements is essential before buying or developing these parcels.

Land Survey Cost in Plymouth County, MA (2026)

Key takeaway

Land survey costs in Plymouth County, MA range from $500 to $3,800 in 2026. Coastal lots in Marshfield, Scituate, and Duxbury cost more.

What Land Surveys Cost in Plymouth County in 2026

Plymouth County stretches from Brockton’s dense urban blocks to Plymouth Bay’s historic waterfront, with broad sandy beaches and cranberry bogs in between. Survey costs reflect this range in terrain and property type.

Typical ranges for 2026:

Boundary survey: $500 to $1,300
ALTA/NSPS survey: $1,700 to $3,800
Elevation certificate: $400 to $650
Subdivision plan: $3,500 to $8,000+
Mortgage inspection plan: $175 to $375

What Drives Survey Costs in Plymouth County

Coastal Lots on the South Shore

The South Shore coastline through Marshfield, Scituate, and Duxbury has some of the most complex survey conditions in southeastern Massachusetts. Properties here often involve tidal wetland boundaries, barrier beach frontage, storm surge flood zones, and Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act setbacks that restrict construction close to the water. A coastal boundary survey in Scituate can easily run $1,000 to $1,300 for a standard residential lot, compared to $500 to $700 for a comparable inland parcel.

Cranberry Bogs and Wetland Delineation

Plymouth County contains a large share of Massachusetts’s active cranberry production acreage. Bog properties carry layers of complexity: drainage rights, water management easements, and regulated wetland boundaries under both state and local bylaws. Any survey of a bog parcel or adjacent upland requires careful delineation of the regulated resource area boundaries, which adds $300 to $600 to a standard boundary survey.

Plymouth Town’s Historic Colonial Land System

Plymouth was settled in 1620, and its deed history goes back to Plymouth Colony grants. Many parcels still carry descriptions from 17th and 18th century documents referencing features that have changed or disappeared. Researching these chains at the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds requires surveyors comfortable with old deed language and the county’s historical parcel maps.

Brockton Urban Surveys

Brockton has dense urban blocks with older subdivisions and tight lot configurations. Surveys here are less expensive than coastal work but still run $650 to $1,000 for typical residential lots due to urban density and the need for careful fieldwork around structures and underground utilities.

Survey Costs by Property Type

Survey Type	Typical Cost (2026)	Notes
Boundary	$500 - $1,300	Coastal lots at high end
ALTA/NSPS	$1,700 - $3,800	Commercial transactions, Brockton and Plymouth
Elevation Certificate	$400 - $650	South Shore coastal towns
Subdivision	$3,500 - $8,000+	Varies with lot count and wetland complexity
As-Built	$700 - $1,800	New construction sign-off

How Plymouth County Compares

Plymouth County rates are broadly similar to Bristol County and slightly lower than Middlesex County on average. The coastal premium for South Shore properties is significant but not as extreme as Essex County’s Cape Ann market.

Find a Surveyor for Your Plymouth County Property

Browse licensed land surveyors serving Plymouth, Brockton, Marshfield, Scituate, Duxbury, and all Plymouth County towns at our Plymouth County surveyor directory. Every listing is a Massachusetts-licensed professional under MGL Chapter 112.