Identification Surveys — Illawarra & NSW South Coast
Before you build, renovate, fence, or sell your property, it is essential to understand exactly where your boundaries lie. An identification survey — also known as an identification report — provides a formal survey report and sketch plan that identifies your property's boundaries, easements, encroachments, and any improvements relative to those boundaries. South Coast Surveyors provides professional identification surveys for residential, commercial, and rural properties throughout the Illawarra, Wollongong, and the NSW South Coast.
An identification survey is one of the most commonly requested surveying services for homeowners, buyers, and developers — and for good reason. Property boundaries are not always obvious from the ground, and without a formal survey report, you may be unknowingly building over a boundary, encroaching on a neighbouring property, or missing a significant easement that affects what you can do with your land. South Coast Surveyors' registered land surveyors provide clear, accurate, and easy-to-understand identification survey reports that give you the information you need to move forward with confidence.
What Does an Identification Survey Include?
An identification survey carried out by South Coast Surveyors includes:
- A formal survey report prepared by a Registered Land Surveyor
- A sketch plan showing the property boundaries and their relationship to improvements
- Identification of existing improvements — fences, buildings, driveways, and structures
- Identification of any encroachments onto or from the subject property
- Notation of registered easements and other interests affecting the property
- Assessment of the relationship between improvements and the title boundaries
When Do You Need an Identification Survey?
There are many situations in which an identification survey is essential or strongly recommended:
- Prior to purchasing a property — to understand exactly what you are buying
- Before constructing a new fence, shed, garage, or home addition
- Before undertaking a development application or DA process
- As part of a conveyancing or property settlement process
- Where there is a dispute with a neighbouring property over boundary location
- When your lender or conveyancer requires formal confirmation of boundaries
- When you are unsure whether existing structures comply with boundary setbacks
South Coast Surveyors is operated by Timothy John Sigley — Registered Land Surveyor, NSW Licence No. SU009054, registered with the Board of Surveying and Spatial Information (BOSSI). Every identification survey we prepare is the work of a qualified professional with the legal authority and technical expertise to certify boundary information for use in property transactions, development applications, and legal proceedings.
We service the Illawarra and South Coast region, including Shellharbour, Wollongong, and all communities to the Victorian border. Contact us today for a free quote on your identification survey.
Get a Free Quote — Call 02 4217 6600 | info@southcoastsurveyors.com.au
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Identification Survey FAQs
How long does an identification survey take?
The time required for an identification survey depends on the size and complexity of the property, the availability of existing survey control in the area, and access conditions on site. Most standard residential identification surveys can be completed within a few days of the site visit, with the formal report and sketch plan delivered shortly thereafter. We will provide you with a realistic timeframe when we prepare your quote.
Is an identification survey the same as a boundary survey?
An identification survey and a boundary survey are related but distinct services. An identification survey reports on where the boundaries are in relation to existing improvements on the ground — it is primarily a reporting exercise. A boundary survey involves the physical marking of the boundary with survey pegs on the ground, giving you a definitive, physically marked boundary. Depending on your needs, one or both services may be appropriate — we are happy to discuss which is right for your situation.
Can an identification survey be used for a development application?
Yes. Identification surveys are commonly used as supporting documentation for development applications and building approvals. The sketch plan and report prepared by our registered land surveyor can demonstrate boundary locations, setback compliance, and the relationship of proposed works to property boundaries, which is often required by local councils as part of the DA process.
Do I need an identification survey if I already have a copy of my title plan?
A copy of your title plan (deposited plan) shows the intended dimensions of your lot as registered, but it does not tell you where those boundaries physically are on the ground relative to your fences, buildings, and other improvements. An identification survey bridges that gap — providing a professional assessment of how the title dimensions relate to what is actually on the ground. It is an important step whenever physical boundary knowledge matters.