Your questions about surveying.

There is no fixed validity period for a certificate of location. It must, however, reflect the current situation of the property. Changes to the land, the building, the regulations or the titles may make it necessary to prepare a new certificate.

In a real estate transaction, the seller must generally provide a certificate of location that reflects the current state of the property. The terms may, however, vary depending on the conditions set out in the promise to purchase.

The timeline varies with the time of year, the complexity of the file and the research required. We recommend contacting us as soon as you know the planned date of your transaction so we can tell you our current timeline.

No. Your presence is generally not required for the field survey. We must, however, be able to access the property and the elements needed to carry out our mandate.

Yes, in many cases. Snow may, however, hide some important features of the property and make the survey impossible or incomplete. We assess the situation based on conditions on the ground.

No. The certificate of location gives a professional opinion on the current situation and condition of a property, but its purpose is not to mark the boundaries of the land. To have a boundary identified on the ground, a staking mandate or, depending on the situation, a boundary determination may be necessary.

If your certificate was prepared by Repèra, contact us. We can check your file and tell you whether a copy can be sent to you. If the certificate was prepared by another land surveyor, you will generally need to contact that surveyor or the holder of their records.

Not necessarily. A new certificate may, however, be required if the one you have no longer reflects the current situation of the property, particularly following work or changes to the land, the titles or the applicable regulations. In a sale, your notary can also tell you whether your current certificate is sufficient for the transaction.

The certificate of location presents the current situation and condition of a property in relation to the titles, the cadastre and the laws and regulations that may affect it. Staking, on the other hand, gives an opinion on the position of a property’s boundaries and marks them on the ground with survey markers.

The plan accompanying a certificate of location should not be used to position a fence yourself based on the measurements shown on it. If you want to know the exact position of a boundary on the ground before installing a fence, a hedge or other landscaping, staking is generally the appropriate operation.

As soon as you plan to put your property on the market. The certificate of location requires a field survey as well as a number of searches and checks. Planning ahead keeps its preparation from becoming an issue as the transaction approaches.

Staking is an operation in which the land surveyor gives an opinion on the position of a property line and marks it with survey markers. Boundary determination (bornage), on the other hand, permanently establishes a line between two properties. It can be carried out amicably between the owners, or judicially when no agreement is possible.

Before moving a fence, a hedge or other landscaping, it is best to have the situation analyzed by a land surveyor. The surveyor can review the titles, plans and other relevant elements to advise you on the appropriate approach. Depending on the file, staking or boundary determination may be recommended.

Not necessarily. The presence of a marker is not enough, on its own, to determine a property line. Its origin and position must be analyzed by a land surveyor together with the titles, the cadastre and other relevant elements.

A marker set as part of a surveying operation should not be moved or reset without verification. If you notice that a marker has disappeared or seems to have been moved, contact a land surveyor before relying on it.

A layout (implantation) is required when the planned location of a construction — such as a foundation, an extension, a garage or any other structure — must be marked on the ground. The land surveyor positions the construction according to the planned project and the property lines so the work can be carried out in the right place.

The layout should be done before work begins, at the appropriate time for the project. It allows the proposed construction to be positioned on the land in accordance with the plans and applicable requirements.

No. The permit application generally remains the responsibility of the owner or their representative. We can, however, prepare the surveying documents required by the municipality for your application.

That depends in particular on the municipal regulations, the titles and the characteristics of the property. Before planning a construction near a boundary, it is best to have the constraints that apply to your land verified.

The price varies with the property, its location, its configuration, the research required and the complexity of the file. Every mandate is different. Contact us or fill out our quote request form to get a price tailored to your property.

The property’s address and a short description of your need are generally enough to get started. Depending on the mandate, we may then ask you for additional information or documents.

No. Repèra carries out surveying mandates throughout the province of Québec. Contact us to check whether we serve your area.

Yes. You can fill out our online quote request form, telling us about your property and the service you need. We will then review your request and send you the necessary information.