Information about boundaries helps determine where roads or buildings will be constructed, settles property line disputes, and leads to the creation of maps.
Maps and land descriptions created by a land surveyor are usually considered legally binding, therefore because of the legal and precise nature of the work, it is necessary that an individual be licensed before they can work as a land surveyor.
A land surveyor is a professional with academic qualifications, technical expertise, interpretative ability and management skills. Land surveyors work with elements of geometry, trigonometry, regression analysis, physics, engineering, metrology, programming languages, and the law. A land surveyor needs to understand mathematical concepts and be able to use them for plotting and measuring. The various types of specialized equipment used requires good computer skills.
Surveying is an element in the development of the human environment and is a requirement for the planning and execution of most forms of construction and land surveyors are a crucial link in the development process.
Land surveying can be a very physical job as many surveys take place in all types of locations and climates, some of which are accessible only by walking or climbing. The equipment need to carry out the survey can also be heavy or cumbersome.