The 5 Best Land Surveyors in Ottawa
If you’re thinking of moving or expanding your property but you’re not sure about the land’s measurement and other factors, then you need a land surveyor.
Hiring a company to handle this work might be a difficult endeavor, especially if you are unaware that you’d need their help for something as simple as building a new fence around your home.
But we’re here to help out. In this list we’ll discuss the best choices you can find around Ottawa.
How Much Does Land Surveying Cost in Ottawa
Land surveyors are not really hard to come by in Ottawa – there’s actually plenty of them around the area. The key, however, is finding the right fit for your needs.
In the table below, we’ve rounded up the estimated rates and the services of the companies on our list for comparison.
1. Farley, Smith and Denis Surveying Ltd.

Criteria | Ratings |
Rates | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Equipment | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Documents | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Staff | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Farley, Smith and Denis Surveying Ltd. is one of the oldest surveying companies in Ottawa. Founded in 1908 and still going strong, the company’s reputation is almost unmatched.
The company’s experience and knowledge in terms of land and construction is reputable. They have worked with different levels of private and public sectors, including government agencies, land developers, contractors, and the general public across the Eastern Ontario region.
They offer numerous services, such as topographic survey, subdivision plans, condominium plans, lay-out references, and of course, land surveying.
They can work to solve residential issues and even large infrastructure issues. The company prides itself in its team of experts which include surveyors, technologists, engineers, and its very own support staff.
They may be experts but we didn’t find them intimidating. In fact, they were pretty approachable, able to give simple explanations to such complicated processes regarding land surveying.
They will give you a quote directly and discuss how the price can be adjusted based on your budget. Of course, they can’t give you discounts for everything, so there will be some negotiations required if you have specific requirements in mind.
If you’re looking for a company that can do more than land surveying, they’ve got you covered. They are also known for their topographic surveys, subdivision, and condominium planning.
Residential homeowners and large companies alike hire them for different types of services so you can rest assured that you’re in good hands.
Their pricing is not so different from the average cost of surveying in Canada, going around $1500-$2500. The key is giving them the specifics so they’ll know the exact services you want and charge you accordingly.
Pros
- Experienced
- Approachable team of experts
Cons
- Machinery seems old
- Clientele is huge, may take a few tries to respond
2. Cansel Survey

Criteria | Ratings |
Rates | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Equipment | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Documents | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Staff | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Cansel’s services is another good choice on our list. They offer multiple services as well which is always great if you’re looking into companies for land surveying.
The unique thing about Cansel is they sell used surveying equipment. This is a good option to have for anyone trying to save money or even start up their own business.
Their pre-loved machinery is cleaned and prepared properly. They also have a team of experts that check if the equipment is working all right so you won’t have to worry if you do decide to go down the less expensive route.
Other than land surveying, they also offer applications of GIS or the Geographic Information Systems. Basically, this is a computer system that is able to survey and analyze the geographical landscape of a given area.
One issue we had is that sometimes, they don’t respond immediately. Another is that during the meeting discussing the quote, they couldn’t give an exact price immediately.
Overall, Cansel is a good choice. Despite the late response and the price delay, their work still speaks for them. If you’re looking for land surveying services with a good selection of equipment, definitely check out Cansel.
Pros
- Good choice for saving
- Excellent equipment selection
Cons
- Slow response from staff
- Prices aren’t stated immediately during first meeting
Customer Reviews
Good price
“Excellent. They had exactly what I wanted exactly what I needed at a very good price. Friendly knowledgeable staff. I strongly recommend them.” – Dov Coodin
Smart staff
“Great service, knowledgeable staff. What they can’t do in store is sent off, serviced and returned efficiently.” – Erik Jamik
3. Verhaegen Land Surveyors

Criteria | Ratings |
Rates | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Equipment | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Documents | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Staff | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Verhaegen has been around since the late 80s. First established in Windsor, Verhaegen eventually had an Ottawa location.
Their experience is almost unmatched especially in the Ottawa area. Only a few land surveying companies in Ottawa have this much experience and that’s one of the reasons why they’re on our list.
Another reason is the team they offer. They have a good team of experts and professionals that know what they are doing as part of their specialty is surveying land.
They have the right attitude when it comes to dealing with clients and customers, giving them a specific run down on the job they’re doing.
They’re described as very fast and efficient. Their measurements and calculations are done pretty fast with almost no innacuracies thanks to the help of their 3D scanners, magnetic locators, and theodolites.
Verhaegen takes pride in the services they offer which are quite extensive. They offer plans of subdivision, condominium plans, Reference Plans (R-plans) Surveyor’s Real Property Report (SRPR), topographic surveys, and even applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
We like how they’re very pro-labor, always thinking of their workers as much as the customers. They have an ongoing campaign on protecting workers’ rights and it’s refreshing to see a big company willing to give so much to their employees.
Verhaegen uses the latest 3D scanners and digital theodolites for a more accurate measurement of your land. Their machinery and equipment are replaced consistently so they are kept updated.
If you’re thinking of going with Verhaegen, you should take note that they have a higher price range. If you’re good with that, then definitely go with their services.
Pros
- Updated equipment
- Great team
Cons
- Main office is in Windsor
- More expensive
Customer Reviews
Very helpful
“I talked with Surveyor Andrew about getting their service. He was very professional and helpful and not a money-minded person at all.” – A. Gamage
Quality
“They are amazing in their quality of work and details. Andrew was helpful in explaining the details of the drawing in detail.” – Shreyas Parthasarathy
4. AOV Ltd.

Criteria | Ratings |
Rates | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Equipment | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Documents | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Staff | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Annis, O’Sullivan, Vollebekk Ltd.,Surveyors or AOV for short, was founded in 1964. They provide a full range of cadastral, geodetic, engineering, construction, photogrammetric surveys, and Geographic Information Systems services to its clients (GIS).
They’ve been in the industry for a long time and have made a name for themselves during the process. They are known to be affiliated with popular land surveying resources such as the Association of Canadian Land Surveyors, Prescott-Russell Chamber of Commerce (formerly Embrun) and the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association.
George Annis and Michael O’Sullivan, the CEOs of the company are both lovers of the outdoors so they pride themselves in providing environmentally-friendly and safe services. While the technology they use might be a tad slower than what’s used by other companies, nevertheless, they do the job right.
Their prices aren’t too bad either, only slightly higher than the usual average for such services in Canada. The staff they work with are also very approachable.
They can articulate complicated processes in a simple fashion that makes even someone unfamiliar of land surveying understand it. They explained everything in detail without overwhelming us.
If you’re in the market for a good company with environmentally-conscious policies, look no further. AOV’s got you.
Pros
- Environmentally-conscious
- Great staff
Cons
- Slower machinery
- Slightly higher prices
Customer Reviews
Valuable advice
“Last February we decided to sever a portion of our property. A huge undertaking. We did all our research, contacted the city many times and finally put together a plan on resources we would need to complete this task (Survey, Well, Environmental, Hydrogeology, Legal and a Planner). We did this during Covid, not an easy feat by no means. One of the areas where we were EXTREMELY impressed with was with the company we hired for our Survey (Annis O’Sullivan Vollebekk Ltd.). From the first phone call Tyler Allison (OLS) put us at ease. Always professional, responded quickly to our inquiries and gave valued advice when needed. You don’t see this today, everybody’s busy and they don’t have time. It simply “is what it is” today. Even the team that came out to do the field work (Denis) conducted themselves professionally, always stopping their work to answer any questions we had. This is a great company, having retained AOV Ltd. allowed us to focus on other areas that needed more attention. If you are shopping for Survey type work, check them out. You will not be disappointed.” – Brad Chippior
Excellent team
“May 2019 – A survey verification and pins were placed at my home. I organized the program of work with Alan and he arranged the work,and confirmed the arrival date and time. The survey team were excellent; knowledgeable and personable. I could not be more pleased. I was provided considerable context of my lot within the subdivision and municipal ownership of easements, which is very helpful. People underestimate the importance of survey markers on property lines. I would easily recommend this local Ottawa company” – Cindy Davidson
5. J.D. Barnes

Criteria | Ratings |
Rates | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Equipment | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Documents | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Staff | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
J.D. Barnes is a very popular company even outside of Ottawa. Established in 1960, they now have more than 15 locations, all with great reviews.
First established by John Duncan Barnes, they initially surveyed for the private sector, property developers, government institutions, and service providers. They were able to quickly expand the company to include technology such as photogrammetry, which is still a pillar of their services offered today.
The services they offer include: land surveying, terrestrial lidar scanning, underground utility locates, subsurface utility engineering, and aerial mapping.
What makes them unique is their aerial mapping services. They use drones to map and survey areas from the air.
This technology allows them to survey areas more easily. Being able to see certain areas from the air is a huge advantage and makes all the difference when surveying land.
Their staff consists of a highly experienced team of professionals. They hire surveyors, engineers, technologists, technicians, systems analysts, and programmers.
They even have a support staff that are basically the apprentices of the experts they work with. They watch how the experts work and learn from them while also providing support for other tasks that require more hands.
Their services are much more expensive than other land surveying companies but it’s arguable that everything is worth it because of the technology and unique assistance they offer.
Pros
- Unique technology
- Great team of experts
Cons
- Pricey
- Team can sometimes be too professional and hard to approach
Customer Reviews
The best
“By far the best surveying firm out there.” – Craig Cesar
Amazing
“This company is amazing – their people are top notch, and I couldn’t have done what I did with my property without their help and guidance. To Dasha, Andrew and the field crew, Thank-you!!! They were so patient with my endless questions. — Kristyn Robins
FAQs about Land Surveyors in Ottawa
Thinking of moving or maybe expanding your house? Check out the best land surveyors in Ottawa!
Do you think we selected the best options in the city? If you have any suggestions, let us know!
Want more ideas about improving your home? Check out our guide to budget-friendly home improvements!