What outsourced ALTA/NSPS drafting actually covers
An ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey is a detailed boundary-based survey built to the ALTA/NSPS Minimum Standard Detail Requirements. Outsourcing usually covers only the CAD drafting portion of the job. Your firm keeps the fieldwork, the boundary opinion, the professional judgment, and the signature and seal.
A drafting partner typically takes on:
- Building the base map from field-collected points and linework
- Plotting record and measured boundary data, easements, and encroachments
- Placing Table A items you have selected (such as buildings, zoning notes, utilities, or parking counts)
- Preparing title-commitment Schedule B-II exception notes and references
- Formatting the plat, legend, certification block, and sheet layout to your standards
- Revising the drawing after your review comments
The licensed surveyor makes the legal decisions and certifies the final product. A drafter does not.
Step 1: Assemble a complete drafting package
Most delays and rework come from incomplete inputs. Before you send anything, gather:
- Field data: raw or reduced point files (CSV, TXT, or job files), field notes, and sketches
- Title commitment and all Schedule B-II exception documents
- Vesting deed and legal description, plus adjoiner deeds and recorded plats
- Table A selections and any client-specific requirements or lender/title company comments
- Prior surveys or CAD files for the property
- Your CAD standards: template, layer names, text styles, title block, and linework conventions
- Boundary decisions: your resolution of the boundary, held monuments, and any notes you want shown
A short instruction sheet stating what you want and what you have already decided prevents guesswork.
Step 2: Choose the right type of drafting partner
| Option | Best for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| In-house hire | Steady, high volume | Salary and training cost, idle time in slow periods |
| Individual freelancer | Occasional overflow | Availability, single point of failure, variable standards knowledge |
| Dedicated drafting firm | Variable workloads, fast turnaround | Needs clear specs and a defined review process |
When vetting any provider, ask:
- Have they drafted ALTA/NSPS surveys specifically, not just boundary or topographic maps?
- Which software do they work in (AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Carlson, MicroStation)?
- Can they follow your template and layer standards?
- Do they offer an NDA and a test drawing before you commit?
- Do they cover your state's requirements and any local plat conventions?
Step 3: Define deliverables and quality checks
Agree in writing on what you will receive:
- DWG file (and PDF for review), with your template applied
- Number of sheets and scale
- Which Table A items are included
- Handling of unresolved items (flagged for your decision rather than assumed)
- Number of revision rounds
Build a simple QC checklist for your own review, covering:
- Bearings and distances match the legal description and field data
- Closure of the boundary
- All Schedule B-II items plotted or noted as not locatable/not applicable
- Table A items match the client's contract and the certification language
- Required notes, legend, north arrow, and flood zone information present
- Revision to current ALTA/NSPS standard wording for the certification
Step 4: Handle confidentiality and responsibility
Survey data and client information are often sensitive, so request an NDA before sharing files. Be clear on responsibility: the licensed professional of record reviews the drawing against the field data, resolves open questions, and signs and seals. Treat outsourced drafts as a first draft that you verify, not a finished product.
Also confirm file transfer methods (cloud folder, secure link) and how revisions are tracked, so everyone works from the latest version.
Step 5: Start small, then scale
Run a trial drawing before moving real project volume. Pick a representative job, not the easiest one, and judge the result on accuracy, template compliance, communication, and turnaround. If the trial passes, send recurring work with a standard intake form so each package arrives complete. Consistent instructions are what make drafting turnaround predictable, whether it is overnight or a few days.
How Land Drafters helps
Land Drafters, LLC is a US company in the Orlando, Florida area that provides outsourced land survey CAD drafting to surveying and civil engineering firms across all 50 US states, Canada, the UK and Australia. For ALTA/NSPS work, the team drafts from your field data and instructions in AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Carlson, or MicroStation, alongside related services such as boundary, topographic, as-built, and subdivision plat drafting.
- Typical turnaround of 24-72 hours
- Hourly or per-drawing pricing (see pricing)
- Free trial drawing so you can evaluate quality first
- NDA available on request
To get started, request a quote or reach out via WhatsApp with a description of your project.