It’s no secret that some companies will try to saddle clients with spurious hidden fees. Lance Norman, President of Alberta-based land surveying company LN Land Development Technologies Inc., believes that this practice needs to stop. Below, he explains how you can avoid getting hit with these extra costs by holding these companies to the highest standards.

What is the core issue here?

There are many companies that suffer from a lack of transparency when it comes to fee breakdown. This is particularly relevant in the industrial and commercial sectors, as larger, more complicated projects can mean more hidden fees. This can add hundreds of dollars to the final bill, and clients often won’t be made aware until the very end of the project.

Hidden fees also stop clients from being able to compare quotes. Imagine a situation where Company A has a cheap estimate, but they plan to make up the difference by adding fees later in the project. Company B’s estimate included all costs so it might have seemed more expensive at first glance, but it would have been the cheaper option in the long run.

What can I expect from a good company?

The estimate that you receive at the beginning of a job should include all elements of the work, including business overheads, staff hours, and equipment, and the cost for each item should be justified.

“A good company will have a simple, clear billing structure, and be willing to talk to you about each item.” – Lance Norman.

LN is proud of its transparent fee structure and honest estimates. It includes all costs in the initial estimate, and does not believe in hidden fees. If you would like to get a quote for your project, request an estimate now.

What do hidden fees look like?

Some companies will try to charge their clients for office and administrative costs on top of the initial estimate. Unfortunately, surcharges for office staff that may or may not have been working on your project are not uncommon, and neither are extra fees for stationary items down to staples and pencils.

Some companies, law firms for example, might be able to justify these sorts of costs because they record their time by the minute. The reality is that surveying companies don’t operate in the same way.

How can I protect myself from hidden fees?

Tell the company exactly what you need, and be firm that you only expect to be paying for those items.
Open a dialogue and ask for a complete breakdown of their estimate.
Check whether business overheads and equipment are included in the estimate.
Ask the company to provide you with ongoing fee updates, not just at the end of the month or at the end of the project.
You have the right to dispute your bill if you don’t understand or agree with the charges.

A good company will value honest and open relationships with their clients and will be happy to take the time to talk with you.

Ready to get a quote?

LN Land Development Technologies is one of Western Canada’s fastest growing land survey companies.

Get in touch by email, call us at 780.488.9064 for a chat, or request a land survey.

The subdivision process can be confusing for homeowners. This step-by-step guide will help make your experience as smooth as possible.

Think about timeline and cost

A number of factors will affect the length of the subdivision process, including the complexity of the application, and the number of other applications being processed within your municipality. A good rule of thumb is to allow a minimum of six months.

The cost of subdivision will vary. As a general ballpark you can refer to this handy fee breakdown from the Leduc County subdivision website.

A base application fee is $440.00, and all applications also require an AutoCAD fee ($200) and a lot fee of $220 per lot, meaning a minimum cost of $840.00 excluding any surveying work.

Check the rules for your local municipality.

In Alberta, applications to subdivide land must be made with the local authority, and different municipalities will have different forms and procedures.

A Google search for “subdividing + your municipality” should lead you to the right webpage and online application.

Quick links:
Edmonton
Calgary
Leduc County
Beaver County

You are encouraged to get in touch with a city planner in advance of making your online application, particularly if your project is large or complex. Your municipality website will contain contact details and further information.

Register online and get the list of required documents

Although requirements may vary slightly by county, you are likely to need the following (from the City of Edmonton website):
A digital copy of the Certificate of Title.
Digital copies of the ‘tentative plan of subdivision’ in PDF and dwg (AutoCAD) formats.
Information identifying the location or confirming the absence of any abandoned wells, in accordance with new requirements.
Additional documents may be required.

At this point, you may choose to tackle the application on your own, or you could opt to work with a land surveying company who will make the application on your behalf.

“You can apply for subdivision as a landowner, or you can hire a professional planning consultant or an Alberta Land Surveyor to make an application on your behalf.”
– City of Edmonton

Create the plan of subdivision

A surveying company can help you to create the required plan outlining the boundaries of the new land parcels. This document is usually presented using AutoCAD (2D and 3D design software) as part of the initial online application.

The plan must include a number of details including the boundaries of the land to be subdivided, and existing rights-of-way of each public utility. Some of the services that may be helpful at this point include boundary surveys, construction management, and house location stakeouts.

LN Land Development Technologies has years of experience with residential property land surveying. If you would like to chat about the subdivision process or request a quote please get in touch.

Submit the application!

Once you submit your application online it will be reviewed by county planning and development staff.

Once it has been conditionally approved, the municipal subdivision authorities require an Alberta land surveyor to survey the lands and provide a final plan. If you haven’t already been working with a surveying company you will need to contact one at this point.

Once the plan is endorsed by the local authority, the surveyor will take the plan to Alberta Land Titles for registration and the process will be complete.

Ready to get started?

LN Land Development Technologies has years of experience helping homeowners work through the subdivision process in Alberta.

Get in touch by email, call us on 780.488.9064 for a chat, or request a residential land survey estimate.

Recognizing industry red flags will help you to avoid costly mistakes and complete land surveying projects on schedule and within budget. Start your project off on the right foot by avoiding these four common issues when choosing your surveying company.

1. You can’t find out who the company has worked with in the past.

A good surveying company will want to show you that it has the experience and track record to get your project done on time and within budget.

The best way for a company to prove that it has what it takes is to share the names of other trusted clients. Case studies of past work should be easily accessible online.

Do a quick check on the company’s background and history. If it has a positive reputation and is proud to be part of the local community, chances are it will be just as dependable for your project.

“We’re not just building communities, we’re living in them too.”- LN Land Development Technologies.

2. There is no process in place to make sure your project stays on time and on budget.

When dealing with the urgent deadlines and specific budgets of the energy and construction sectors, nobody likes surprises. The best surveying companies will have quality assurance processes and a system of checks and balances in place to make sure they are on track and working as effectively as possible.

When choosing a company, make sure it takes the time to discuss exactly what you need in terms of budget, equipment, and specialised services. Don’t be afraid to ask how progress will be monitored over the course of the project. A good system of quality control is what enables the best surveyors to make promises with integrity, and will give you the confidence that they will be able to deliver.

3. The surveyors don’t use the newest technology, or worse – they use it unsafely.

Surveying has been a respected profession in Alberta for decades, and the tools of the trade have changed and improved over time.

From aerial surveys to 3D laser scanning (LIDAR), the best companies will be using the latest in sophisticated global positioning systems and robotic equipment to maximize project efficiency and save you money.

Surveying companies often offer over 100 different services, each with its own specific safety requirements. To see a range of examples, explore the services offered by LN.

A great surveying company will put safety first. In Alberta, look for companies that have obtained a high rating (90% or above) from the Alberta Construction Safety Association.

4. You are not assigned a dedicated Project Manager (PM).

Given the fast pace of the construction industry, constant communication is key.

If you aren’t assigned a PM, there is a danger that your project will slip between the cracks, causing no end of headaches and problems down the road.

A good PM comes with many benefits. He or she will understand the unique needs of your project, respond quickly to any changes, identify risks early on, and keep the budget and timeline on track.

The best surveying companies will help you avoid unwanted surprises by introducing your primary contact and establishing honest, transparent, and frequent communication from day one.
Need some more advice?

LN Land Development Technologies is one of Alberta’s fastest growing land survey companies.

Get in touch by email, call us at 780.488.9064 for a chat, or request a land survey estimate.

Congratulations! Selling your house is a life-changing decision, either you’re moving up in the world or you’re moving to somewhere else in the world!

No matter what your reasons are for selling, chances are you want to receive full value for your home. Your asking price should reflect the value of your home and any improvements you’ve made while owning it.

And the best way to prove the value of those improvements?

A real property report.

Real property reports are legal documents that outline both a property’s boundaries as well as the structures and features contained within. This includes encroachments from neighbouring properties and municipal compliance standards related to development throughout the property’s history.

In essence, a real property report takes all the guesswork out of selling your home.

In Your Buyer’s Shoes

Buying a home is all about imagination and making plans for the future. A real property report is a legal document that’s written independently of the homeowner, so it allows you to dream big without the threat of any potential issues.

Buying a home is a stressful process (as you know or about to find out), so it’s helpful to have a trustworthy report in hand that outlines all the key features of a property throughout its history. The history of a property will tell you if you’re able to build new structures or make modifications to landscaping or other underground features. Buyers will also appreciate full disclosure of any existing challenges on the property.

Buyer confidence is a good thing.

Maximizing Your Home’s Value

Securing a real property report before you list your home allows you to discover any obstacles that might stand in the way of a sale. The last thing you want is an issue coming to light during negotiations with a potential buyer. Even relatively small issues can damage buyer confidence and cause you to miss out on an early sale.

Buyers are on a schedule. The information they need is time-sensitive. Questions will inevitably come up during the process, so possessing the answers ahead of time not only expedites the process for you, but it gives the seller answers immediately and helps them make an informed decision.

Real Property Reports Save Time, Money & Energy

A real property report is a key tool to use when you’re selling your house because it’s an immediate advantage for the buyer. RPR’s help buyers make decisions quickly, they save sellers from the hassle of searching for answers and they ultimately confirm the value of the home.