Liam AndersonThe first time I tried to put a fence in my backyard, I figured a rough guess and a measuring tape would do the trick. A week later, I was redoing half of it after learning I’d crossed into my neighbour’s yard.
That’s when I realised land surveying isn’t just for big developers or fancy projects. Whether you’re planning a renovation or just want to know where your property actually ends, getting a proper survey can save you a whole lot of stress.
If you’re not sure who to call, we’ve got you. My team and I pulled together some of the most trusted land surveying companies in Vancouver after my mistaken incident.
So, before you break ground or break your neighbour’s trust, check out this list!
How much does land surveying cost in Vancouver?
Land surveying in Vancouver typically costs between $500 and $2,500, depending on the property’s size, complexity, and type of survey needed.
1. LNLS – Metro Vancouver Land Surveyors
Address: 1528 Kingsway
Phone: +1 604-327-1535
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
We were really impressed that LNLS have four licensed land surveyors on staff. When you’re dealing with legal boundaries, having qualified experts involved gives you peace of mind that the survey will be done right the first time.
They also cover a wide range of survey types, like legal surveys for property lines and engineering surveys for construction projects.
Additionally, we appreciate that they have experience with a wide range of projects, from single-family homes to multi-unit buildings.
Their size also stood out. They have nine survey crews working daily, which makes them one of the biggest in the area. They can often squeeze in urgent jobs within a day or two.
That said, they are busy. One person we spoke to mentioned that they’ve become a go-to for a lot of builders, especially in the Asian development market. This made them one of the pricier options in the city too.
On the brighter side, though, it was easy to get started with them. You can request a proposal online and usually hear back within 48 hours.
2. 360 Land Surveying Ltd
Address: 1152 Millstream Rd
Phone: +1 604-816-4292
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
350 Land Surveying Ltd is led by Evgeny, who’s been in the land surveying field for over 20 years. He’s not just experienced, but he’s also certified as both a BC Land Surveyor and a professional engineer in Geomatics.
That kind of background gives us confidence that they really know what they’re doing, especially when it comes to tricky projects.
The rest of the team has their own specialities, too, like drone work, 3D scanning, and project management.
Their drone surveys in particular caught our attention. They can be useful for everything from checking property lines to measuring site volumes without anyone needing to walk the whole property.
They also offer a bunch of different services, like topographic, legal surveys, and construction layout. The cool thing is that they can customise their work depending on what the client needs.
Most people we spoke to also said the team was professional and quick to get the job done. One person even mentioned getting their Certificate of Location quickly after the survey was done, with all their questions answered.
That said, not everything is perfect. We did notice a few complaints about responses being slow and unclear, even from the people who were otherwise happy with the service.
It doesn’t seem to be a deal-breaker, but it’s something to note, especially if your project is time-sensitive or you have a lot of questions.
3. Hobbs Winter & MacDonald Surveys Ltd
Address: 828 Harbourside Dr #113
Phone: +1 604-986-1371
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Hobbs Winter & MacDonald Surveys Ltd has done a lot of construction surveys. These surveys mark out exactly where a building should go on site.
From what we gathered, they’re really quick and accurate, which is a big deal when construction schedules are tight.
They also do topographic surveys and legal surveys. These are super useful in the early design stages of a project.
One thing we also liked was how organised they seemed. They manage the whole process, from taking field measurements to drafting final plans. This way, their clients don’t have to worry about chasing updates or redoing paperwork.
We’ve heard they’ve also recently added staff and resources from another surveying company. They now have access to even more data and experience. It’s great if you’re working on a property that’s been surveyed in the past to speed things up.
However, compared to some competitors, we noticed they offer a narrower range of surveying services.
They focus primarily on residential and commercial land development surveys. It’s a limit for clients needing more specialised or industrial surveying services.
4. Nima Geomatics Metro Vancouver Land Surveyors
Address: 1688 Westover Rd
Phone: +1 604-830-5545
Business hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 7:30 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday: Closed
If you’re located around Metro Vancouver, Nina Geomatics is a good choice. They focus on making sure each survey fits the purpose of the project. Whether you’re building a house or working on a commercial site, they figure out what kind of survey is needed.
They also offer a wide range of survey types. That includes property line surveys, strata plans, topographic surveys, and more. It’s helpful if your project changes or becomes more complex, since you would not have to switch to another company.
A lot of people mentioned that Nima, the founder, is very involved in the work. We appreciate that you’ll get personal attention and local knowledge.
Clients also said they use modern tools to get accurate results. One person mentioned that Nima spent two full days finding property corners in a forested area and did it with a great attitude.
Their prices seem fair based on what others have shared. Some people said the cost was lower than what bigger companies charge, and they still got high-quality work.
Just make sure to ask about timelines early. A couple of customers mentioned the process took a bit longer than expected, but it did not cause serious issues.
At the same time, if you’re on a tight schedule or have a large project, ask in advance how soon they can get started.
5. Bennett Land Surveying Vancouver
Address: 275 Fell Ave #201
Phone: +1 604-980-4868
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 4:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
It stood out to our team that all the surveyors of Bennett Land are certified by the Association of British Columbia Land Surveyors (ABCLS).
That might sound like a small detail, but it’s a big deal. It means they’re trained, legit, and follow proper rules. You’re not getting someone who’s guessing where your property line is.
They handle all kinds of projects, from individual lots for homeowners to big residential and commercial builds.
If you’re working in construction or real estate, it’s helpful that they also deal with stuff like building permits, leases, and rights of way. It saves you the trouble of dealing with multiple companies.
We were also impressed by their tech. They use drones with LiDAR and high-resolution cameras to map out land. It’s great for bigger or trickier sites.
When it comes to customer service, we’ve heard a lot of positive feedback. One person mentioned they were great at explaining everything clearly and gave a fast quote.
However, we think they could improve on how they set up their gears in busy neighbourhoods. Some people pointed out that their equipment sometimes blocks sidewalks or ramps, which isn’t nice for anyone with mobility issues.
6. Skyview Land Surveying Ltd
Address: 150 – 12820 Clarke Pl, Richmond
Phone: +1 604-242-0687
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Skyview Land Surveying Ltd is pretty accurate when it comes to their work. Two of their most commonly requested services are their building location certificates and boundary surveys.
When we spoke to some of their past clients, most of them said the team is spot-on. It’s a big deal since a small mistake in a survey can lead to serious delays.
We appreciate that they tailor their services to each project. Instead of offering standard packages, Skyview takes the time to figure out precisely what the client needs. That applies to everyone, from homeowners and developers to municipal planners.
They even deliver files in formats like PDF and AutoCAD (DWG), which makes it easier for architects and engineers to plug their data straight into project plans.
That said, a few customers mentioned that getting a quote or confirmation at the beginning of the process took longer than expected.
Once the job started, everything moved quickly, but the wait at the start could be frustrating if you’re working on a tight schedule. A clear and faster intake process would definitely help here.
