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Whether you’re buying a commercial property, preparing to break ground, or refinancing a site in Houston, there’s a good chance your lender or attorney has told you:
“You’ll need an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey.”
If you’ve never ordered one before, the process can feel complex and intimidating — especially when large sums, legal risks, and tight timelines are involved.
The good news? Once you understand the step-by-step process to order an ALTA survey, you’ll avoid costly delays, ensure title compliance, and keep your commercial transaction on track.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to order an ALTA survey in Houston, including:
Who’s involved
What documents you need
How to select Table A items
What to expect in terms of cost and timeline
Tips to ensure your survey is lender and title compliant
📌 What Is an ALTA Survey (Quick Recap)?
📌 What Is an ALTA Survey (Quick Recap)?
An ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey is a detailed land survey performed to national standards set by the American Land Title Association (ALTA) and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). It is typically required for:
Commercial real estate transactions
Refinancing and construction loans
Title insurance policies with survey exception removal
Unlike basic boundary surveys, ALTA surveys are designed to meet the requirements of:
Lenders
Title companies
Attorneys and underwriters
They include mapped easements, encroachments, access points, utilities, legal descriptions, and selected optional items from Table A.
🛠️ Step-by-Step: How to Order an ALTA Survey in Houston
🛠️ Step-by-Step: How to Order an ALTA Survey in Houston
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to correctly and efficiently order an ALTA survey for your commercial site in Houston or anywhere in Texas.
✅ Step 1: Determine Whether an ALTA Survey Is Required
✅ Step 1: Determine Whether an ALTA Survey Is Required
Start by speaking with the following people involved in your transaction:
Lender: Will they require a survey for underwriting or funding?
Title Company: Are they asking for an ALTA to remove survey exceptions?
Attorney: Are there legal or risk management reasons to commission an ALTA?
If the property is commercial, improved, or being financed with institutional money, the answer is almost always yes.
Common ALTA survey use cases in Houston:
Purchasing a commercial building in the Heights
Developing mixed-use property in Midtown
Refinancing an industrial park in East Houston
Subdividing land near Beltway 8 for redevelopment
✅ Step 2: Choose a Licensed Texas Surveyor Familiar with ALTA Standards
✅ Step 2: Choose a Licensed Texas Surveyor Familiar with ALTA Standards
Not all surveyors are created equal. For an ALTA survey, you’ll want a firm that is:
Licensed in Texas
Experienced with ALTA/NSPS 2021 standards
Familiar with Houston-area GIS, utility locate systems, and county records
Able to coordinate directly with your title company and attorney
🔍 In Texas, surveyors must be registered with the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (TBPELS).
Pro Tip: Ask your attorney or title company for recommended surveyors they’ve successfully worked with on recent deals.
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