Your project is ready. The contractor is booked, the materials have been ordered, and the work can begin. Yet one essential step is often overlooked until the last minute: staking.
Property staking is a unilateral land surveying operation that involves marking property boundaries by placing survey markers on the land. Once the work is completed, the land surveyor prepares a staking certificate showing, among other things, the location of the markers placed and their conclusions regarding the property boundaries.
This operation is particularly important before undertaking certain types of work, including installing a fence or landscaping near property lines. Starting work without knowing exactly where your property boundaries are can lead to costly mistakes, disputes with neighbours, or work being completed in the wrong location.
At ASDAG, land surveyors regularly answer the same questions: When should you have your property staked? How does the process work? And why is it better to know exactly where your property boundaries are before starting work? Here is what you need to know before your project begins.
Staking: Marking Your Property Boundaries
Staking is a unilateral land surveying operation that involves marking property boundaries using survey markers placed by a land surveyor. It allows the property owner to see on the ground where the boundaries are located based on the land surveyor’s analysis.
This operation is particularly useful because property boundaries do not necessarily correspond to the physical features visible on the land. A fence, hedge, wall, or other structure is not necessarily a reliable indication of where a property boundary is located.
Staking may be requested when an owner wants to identify and mark property boundaries before undertaking certain work, such as installing a fence or completing landscaping near those boundaries.
However, the work involves more than simply placing markers. The land surveyor must first complete the necessary research, survey, and calculations to form an opinion on the location of the boundaries. The markers can then be placed on the property when circumstances allow.
Once the operation is complete, the land surveyor prepares a staking certificate confirming that the staking was carried out and providing the relevant information about the property boundaries and the markers placed.
Staking vs. Certificate of Location: Two Complementary Tools
Staking and a certificate of location are sometimes confused, even though they serve two very different purposes.
A certificate of location provides a picture of a property as it exists at the time the land surveyor carries out the mandate. It documents the current state of the property, analyzes its compliance, and identifies elements that may affect the property or a real estate transaction.
Staking, on the other hand, looks ahead. It marks the location of the property boundaries directly on the ground. While a certificate of location answers the question “What is the current situation of the property?”, staking answers “Where can the work be carried out?”
For many projects, the two services complement each other. A certificate of location can help confirm the current state of a property before a renovation or construction project, while property staking can then provide the physical markers needed to carry out the work in the right location and in accordance with applicable regulations.
At ASDAG, each mandate is assessed based on the property owner’s objectives to determine whether staking, a certificate of location, or a combination of both is the most appropriate approach. This makes it possible to begin the work with reliable reference points and a clear understanding of the constraints that apply to the property.
Planning work this fall? Have your property boundaries marked before getting started. Contact ASDAG to submit your request — our land surveyors can respond quickly to help you move forward with your project.
FAQ’s
What Is Staking?
Staking is a land surveying operation performed by a land surveyor to mark property boundaries on the ground using survey markers. It is a unilateral operation that reflects the land surveyor’s opinion regarding the location of the property boundaries.
Is Property Staking Mandatory Before Construction?
Staking is not a mandatory land surveying operation. However, it is strongly recommended when work is planned near property boundaries, particularly when installing a fence or completing certain landscaping projects. By marking the boundaries on the ground, property staking makes it easier to plan the work and reduces the risk of encroachment or mistakes regarding its location.
What Is the Difference Between Staking and a Certificate of Location?
A certificate of location describes the current situation and condition of a property in relation to, among other things, the title documents, the cadastre, and applicable laws and regulations. It includes a report and a plan prepared by the land surveyor.
Staking, on the other hand, is a land surveying operation used to mark property boundaries on the ground with survey markers. It is also accompanied by a staking certificate documenting the operations performed.
What Is the Difference Between Staking and Boundary Determination?
Staking is a unilateral operation through which the land surveyor provides an opinion on the location of property boundaries and marks them using survey markers. However, it cannot definitively resolve a disagreement between neighbouring property owners.
When there is a dispute or disagreement over the location of a property boundary, boundary determination is generally the appropriate process. Unlike property staking, boundary determination is intended to establish the boundary between two properties definitively, either through an agreement between the property owners concerned or through a court decision.
How Long Does Staking Take?
The time required for a staking mandate varies depending on several factors, including the size and configuration of the property, the complexity of the research and calculations, and the number of markers to be placed. Property staking generally requires two site visits: the first to carry out the preliminary survey and the second to place the markers once the research and calculations have been completed.