Phillip Bice & Allen Surveying in Chattanooga: Boundary and Construction Surveys for Property Owners and Developers
Phillip Bice & Allen Surveying is a licensed land surveying firm serving Chattanooga and surrounding areas with boundary surveys, construction staking, and topographic mapping for residential, commercial, and municipal clients. The firm operates as a two-person partnership focused on accuracy in property line definition and site preparation work, positioning itself as a direct alternative to larger regional firms and one-off surveyors for property owners who need straightforward, local service.
What the firm actually does
Land surveying in Chattanooga serves two overlapping markets: property owners who need to know exact boundaries before building, selling, or disputing a line, and builders or developers who require precise staking to begin construction. Phillip Bice & Allen handles both. The firm produces official surveys that establish property boundaries using deed research, field measurements, and Georgia state licensing requirements (surveyors in Tennessee require separate licensure, and surveys must comply with Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners standards). The work is not decorative or advisory; it produces legal documents that courts and title companies recognize and that lenders require for mortgages.
Services and pricing
The firm offers boundary surveys, construction staking, and topographic surveys. A boundary survey for a standard residential lot in Chattanooga typically costs between $400 and $800, depending on lot size, accessibility, and whether prior surveys exist. Construction staking, which marks where a building or structure will sit, ranges from $300 to $600 for residential projects. Topographic surveys, which map elevation changes across a site, run higher, usually $800 to $2,000 for residential or small commercial properties, reflecting the additional time and equipment required. Pricing varies with project complexity; ask for a quote once you know lot acreage and what you need the survey to show.
How Phillip Bice & Allen compares to other Chattanooga surveyors
Chattanooga supports several surveying firms. Larger regional firms like Boral Surveying and some chains absorbed into national operations can handle complex projects but often assign newer staff and carry higher overhead. Phillip Bice & Allen is smaller and owner-operated, meaning both principals work on most jobs, which can mean faster turnaround and consistent quality for straightforward surveys. A boundary survey on a typical Chattanooga residential lot takes 3 to 5 business days with this firm, compared to 5 to 10 for firms juggling larger workloads. Choose Phillip Bice & Allen if you own a single lot, are building a house, or need quick work on a clear property. Choose a larger firm if your project is a multi-phase development or requires specialized expertise like underwater surveying or GPS networks; the firm does not advertise those capabilities.
Who this fits and who it does not
Homeowners preparing to build, sellers needing a current survey for title clarity, and small builders staking out single houses are the firm's core audience. Property owners in disputes over boundary lines also hire surveyors, though the survey itself settles the legal question only if both parties accept it; otherwise, the document becomes evidence in court. The firm does not typically handle large commercial developments, industrial site mapping, or utility corridor work. If you own a 0.25-acre lot in East Brainerd and want to know if a fence sits on your land, this is the right call. If you are a developer planning a 50-lot subdivision, you likely need a firm with more specialized resources.
What the first visit involves
Contact the firm by phone or email with a property address and a description of what you need (boundary survey, staking, topographic map). One of the principals will ask how many acres, whether you have a copy of the deed, and whether utilities or obstacles complicate site access. Most surveys require a site visit; the surveyor will walk the property, take measurements, and document existing structures or markers. Boundary surveys may require research in the Hamilton County register of deeds if prior surveys are unclear. You will receive a formal survey document suitable for lending, title, or construction purposes, usually within a week of the site visit.
Hours, location, and logistics
Phillip Bice & Allen operates by appointment; call to schedule rather than expecting walk-in service. Field work happens on weekdays and occasionally Saturdays if the timeline is tight. The firm covers Hamilton County and portions of surrounding counties, so travel time to your property is built into the quote. Verify current contact information and turnaround times before booking, as single-person firms sometimes adjust availability seasonally or during heavy construction periods.
Phillip Bice & Allen fills a genuine gap in Chattanooga's surveying market for property owners who need fast, competent work on single lots without the overhead cost of larger firms.
