Land Surveyors in Iowa
Find licensed professional land surveyors across Iowa. Browse by county to see surveyors in your area, with specialties including boundary surveys, elevation certificates, ALTA/NSPS surveys, topographic surveys, and more.
What brings you here?
Pick the one that sounds closest. We will connect you with a surveyor in Iowa.
About this Iowa directory
Use this page as a starting point for finding a local land surveyor. Before hiring, confirm the surveyor's license, scope, timeline, and written price directly with the firm.
- Listings must represent private land surveying firms or licensed surveying professionals.
- Firm websites, public contact details, owner updates, and state license records are reviewed where available.
- Government departments, equipment suppliers, marine surveyors, home inspectors, and trade associations are excluded.
- Surveyors can claim, correct, or request removal of a profile at any time.
A listing is not an endorsement. Property owners should confirm current licensing and project fit before booking.
Finding a Land Surveyor in Iowa
Iowa has 78 land surveying firm profiles across 99 counties. The most active markets are Polk County (22 surveyors), Linn County (13 surveyors), Pottawattamie County (9 surveyors).
Whether you need a boundary survey for a property purchase, an elevation certificate for flood insurance, or an ALTA/NSPS survey for a commercial transaction, start by selecting your county below to see surveyors in your area.
Common survey types offered in Iowa include Boundary Survey, Construction Staking, Topographic Survey, Elevation Certificate, ALTA/NSPS Survey.
Cost estimates by county in Iowa
Typical residential boundary survey ranges in the most active counties in Iowa. Prices are estimates only and vary by parcel size, terrain, and records research required.
Estimates reflect typical residential boundary survey ranges and assume standard platted lots. Rural acreage, complex parcels, ALTA/NSPS surveys, and elevation certificates are priced separately.
Browse by County
Select your county to see surveyors in your area.
Land Survey Guides for Iowa
Cost estimates, survey requirements, and licensing info specific to Iowa.
Common questions about land surveys in Iowa
How much does a land survey cost in Iowa?+
Land survey costs in Iowa vary by survey type, parcel size, and location. Most residential boundary surveys range from $500 to $2,000, with rural acreage and complex parcels running higher. Elevation certificates for FEMA flood insurance run $200 to $700. ALTA/NSPS surveys for commercial transactions typically start at $2,000. Always request a written estimate from two or three licensed surveyors before booking.
What types of land surveys are most common in Iowa?+
In Iowa, the most common surveys requested by property owners are boundary surveys (locating property lines for fences, additions, or disputes), elevation certificates (for FEMA flood insurance compliance), and ALTA/NSPS surveys (for commercial real estate transactions). Topographic surveys, construction staking, and subdivision plats are also routinely offered.
Do I need a licensed surveyor in Iowa?+
Yes. Iowa requires that any survey establishing property boundaries, used in legal documents, recorded with a county clerk, or accepted by lenders and title companies be performed and stamped by a Professional Land Surveyor licensed in the state. Work performed by unlicensed individuals cannot be recorded or used in legal proceedings.
How do I find a licensed land surveyor in Iowa?+
This directory lists 78 land surveying firms across 99 counties in Iowa. Listings are reviewed against firm websites, owner updates, and state license records where available. Browse by county below to see surveyors in your area. Contact two or three firms for written estimates, ask about their experience with similar projects, and confirm their license with the state board before booking.
When do I need a land survey in Iowa?+
You typically need a survey before installing a fence, building an addition, splitting or combining lots, refinancing in a flood zone, settling a boundary dispute, or buying property where the legal description is unclear. Lenders, title companies, and municipal building departments in Iowa routinely require current survey documentation before closing or issuing permits.
How long does a land survey take in Iowa?+
A typical residential boundary survey in Iowa takes one to four weeks from initial consultation to final plat. Timeline depends on records research, weather, scheduling, and parcel complexity. Complex parcels with unclear deeds, ALTA/NSPS commercial work, or rural acreage with limited monumentation can take longer. Rush service is sometimes available at a higher fee.