Welcome

Welcome to our company website.  Compass Surveying is a land surveying firm that offers a broad range of experience and technical expertise, specializing in ALTA/ACSM Land Title Surveys (ALTA Surveys) and provides land surveying and surveying services throughout Illinois.

ALTA Surveys are the most detailed and comprehensive land surveys available.  They are required for the sale, financing or development of raw land and commercial, industrial and large multifamily projects.

ALTA Surveys are prepared in accordance with nationally recognized standards, with the 2005 standards being superseded by the 2011 standards which become effective February 23, 2011.

When is an ALTA Survey required?

As a general rule, title companies will require an ALTA Survey when asked to issue extended coverage.

Every owner's title policy contains the following 5 general exceptions:

1. Rights or claims of parties in possession not shown by the public records;
2. Encroachments, overlaps, boundary line disputes, or other matters that would be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the premises;
3. Easements or claims of easements, not shown by the public record;
4. Any lien or right of a lien, for services, labor, or material heretofore or hereafter furnished, imposed by law and not shown by the public records;
5. Taxes or special assessments that are not shown as existing liens by the public records.

A properly prepared ALTA Survey signed and sealed by a professional land surveyor gives the title company the documentation needed to waive general exceptions number 2 & 3 (above), allowing them to give extended "coverage" to the owners title policy.

What information is required by the Surveyor when ordering an ALTA Survey?

To order an ALTA Survey, the following information is needed:

• Table A items as required by the terms of the real estate sales contract;
• The parties to whom the survey will be certified;
• A copy of a current title commitment, including survey-related Schedule B documents (if you don't have a title commitment, we can help you procure one-just ask us how).

The land survey provisions of the real estate contract between buyer and seller determine survey requirements.  In addition to the certification parties, optional survey responsibilities and specifications, (identified as items 1 -19 of Table A) must be provided to the surveyor prior to the commencement of the survey.

For over 25 years Compass Surveying has provided ALTA Surveys, land surveying and survey services through an unmatched commitment to research and attention to detail, along with an ability to meet our clients tight deadlines.  We search for old records, deeds and private surveys, looking for any encumbrances or claims that may threaten our client's property rights.  For the peace of mind that comes from complete and accurate ALTA Survey or land survey provided on tight deadlines, contact a professional at Compass today.

To learn more about our company visit our "About Us" page and to learn more about our services visit the "Our Services" page.