In one sentence
A survey prepared after construction showing the improvements as actually built, used to confirm they sit within setbacks, easements, and property lines.
The longer version
The pre-construction survey shows what was planned. The as-built shows what happened. Lenders require it before final disbursement because encroachments, setback violations, and utility conflicts are discovered here and are far cheaper to address before the last money leaves.
It also supports the title endorsements that depend on survey facts. A comprehensive zoning endorsement or a survey endorsement issued against the original survey does not cover what was actually constructed, so the as-built has to catch up before the policy is finalized.
Common questions
- When is an as-built survey required?
- Typically before the final construction draw and before the title policy is finalized, so that any encroachment or setback issue can be resolved while the lender still holds funds.
- What problems does it find?
- Improvements encroaching on easements or neighbouring parcels, setback violations, parking counts below what zoning requires, and utilities routed outside recorded easements.
- How does it relate to title coverage?
- Survey endorsements insure against matters a survey would disclose. If the policy was issued on the pre-construction survey, the as-built is what confirms the coverage still matches reality.
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