Property lines

[wroughtn_harv]

I measured 15 feet in from each corner, to a point where I could see to the other end, and ran a stringline to the 15 foot point. Then anywhere I wanted to know where the line actually was, I just measured 15 feet over and marked it with a stub.
David from jax

I've done I don't know how many fences with this technique. But without the string of course, fencemen don't use strings, they come with eyes.

Basically we find a point from each end that we can see end to end. We set up marker posts and then measure back that distance to mark the fence line.

 

[MossRoad]

I used a GPS to set my boundaries. I started by landmarking the front corner, then turned off the meter, went to the back corner turned it back on and landmarked it. The GPS automatically drew a straight line between the two landmarks. I then followed the line back, marking trees as I went.

From what I've read, GPS is only accurate to 15 meters. We could be off by 50' side to side in either direction.

 

[SnowRidge]

A consumer grade GPS is not accurate enough for surveying in my experience. It will get you close, but "close" isn't good enough for boundary fences. You may end up being several feet off of the line.

 

[SnowRidge]

From what I've read, GPS is only accurate to 15 meters. We could be off by 50' side to side in either direction.

My Garmin has a range of error function that estimates the possible position error. The best I have ever gotten it down to is 13 feet. 18 feet is more typical. I have tried using the aforementioned line between two points technique, and it is simply not reliable enough to locate a boundary line precisely.

 

[Podunkadunk]

Whatever method you use, be sure and contact the neighbor who owns the bordering property. Advise them of what you're doing. Maybe you can even get them involved in helping you...a willing participant is less likely to cause you any legal problems in the future. Even if he doesn't want to help, he'll be much appreciative of the "heads up".

 

[MossRoad]

Whatever method you use, be sure and contact the neighbor who owns the bordering property. Advise them of what you're doing. Maybe you can even get them involved in helping you...a willing participant is less likely to cause you any legal problems in the future. Even if he doesn't want to help, he'll be much appreciative of the "heads up".

That's a very good idea. When we first got married and lived in the city my wife got a "free" puppy the first year we were married. After three days of walking the dog, I decided it was time to get a fence. I got the lot info from downtown and located the corner irons. To my amazement, the property line came to within 6" of the side of the neighbor's garage. The corner apron of his driveway was 3' into my property at the alley and the pad we share for trash cans was entirely on my property. There was an old post in the middle of the pad that was the assumed property line. It was a good 6' off. So, I got my neighbor and told him what I wanted to do, where the property line was, etc... and wanted to work something out. I agreed to put the fence 3' into my property line so that he could keep his driveway apron and be able to comfortabley mow the lawn between the fence and his garage. 3' was no big deal to me, and by working with him, I was able to foster a great 10 year relationship with a really nice elderly couple. We ended up going on Sunday drives with them, he took me to his favorite fishing holes, I cleared his snow in the winter and he mowed most of my lawn in the summer. Wonderful relationship that could have easily been soured by me popping in a fence in the legal line. (by the way, that "free" puppy cost me $900.00 for a fence at that house, $1000 at our next house and thousands of dollars in medical bills because he had an enlarged heart . Good boy! )

 

[Redbug]

Running property lines is an interesting question I have wondered about and how others have tackled it. I had wondered about the GPS accuracy. In the past I had used a good sized step ladder, (the kind that opens up), to be able to get above most of the brush enough to see better and using RonMar's ranging method with a transit, or a good compass. You need two people...one to work the transit and tell you where to put the ladder and hold a plum bob to mark a position on the ground...and hop scotch along. If a tree is in the way, use it for a position. If you don't have a ladder...possibly the raised bucket of your loader, (3 people then and good excuse to use the tractor)?

 

[tinkertoys]

I waited for a calm day and used helium ballons

 

[dmccarty]

I have this problem as well on our south and north property lines. The south line runs 1600-1700 feet. The north lines are staggered and border two different properties and each are roughyly 800 feet long. We know where the corner markers are located but trying to connect the "dots" in heavy brush with a compass is not easy. I have tried its few times as has my dad. We use flagging to mark what where we think the line is located. You should see all of the flagging.

The trees and the lay of the land blocks the corners.

My wife's old work place had a GPS that had property boundries and topomaps. It looked pretty danged accurate. I could walk down the driveway and road watching the GPS update my location. Seemed pretty accurate. Not accurate enough to put in a pin but good enough to flag the line to clear out the brush to find the line.

We bought the same GPS and I'm trying to figure out how to load up the right files. It can't be less accurate than a hand held compass and the Mark I eyeball.

One line I will get resurveyed and marked since it has a neighbor who might be a problem. We are going to put up a fence over the next few years as time and money allows to just marked the property lines.

If the line is long and hard to determine, get it surveyed and have extra pins put in along the line if a fence is going up. Property line disputes are a pain. The line with the one neighbor I had resurvyed and a pin put in between the corners years ago. That money was well spent. It kept the other owner from putting a septic system on my land as well as a big dog kennel fence. I did not have the time to keep the line cleared so I get to pay for it again. But given the sensitivity of this line its worth spending the money up front.

Later,
Dan

 

[firedog]

Agree that the GPS is not entirely accurate. Mine will work down to about 15'-20', but line of sight was not a option, due to the heavy brush & trees. Using the GPS allowed me to clear the brush so that I can come back later and shoot it with a transit.
My neighbor didn't mind me clearing out the brush, and I'm almost done, just a little bit to do down in the bottom. Once that's complete, I'll line of sight from the upper end and take out the trees, then use a friends transit to set the fence line.