Boundary retracement requires much more than the measurements of lines.  A retracement survey should follow in the foot steps of the original survey, even if it was flawed or inaccurate. 

The fist step is research of the tract deeds back through time, looking for clerical errors and omissions in the description,  perhaps finding an original Plat or record, at least back to the point where the tract was separated from a larger tract.  The adjoiners' records are equally important.  Often the records of an adjoiner will include a recent survey or other information leading to the discovery of corners and boundary lines.

Each decade has seen advances in equipment and technology for measurements, from hand held computers and laser measuring transits  to GPS satellite measurements. However, regardless of the precision of accuracy of the new measurement technology, land boundaries are generally fixed at the time of the original survey; otherwise, we would have new land boundaries every time a new measuring technology came along.

 Although modern equipment increases precision and saves time, the most important quality in boundary retracement is perseverance.  Careful record research and thorough field work are more important than that the latest measuring technology.

 GPS can be used for boundaries, control work, and to establish elevations for Flood Surveys.

The FEMA flood maps may, in error, show a house in a Flood Zone, when in fact a careful survey of the house and property elevations may show otherwise.  An elevation certificate, and a Letter Of Map Amendment, may save the house owner from very expensive flood insurance rates. GPS is usually used to establish elevations