THE 10 BEST Mapping Services in PORTLAND, OR
| Business Name | Key Services | Best For | Address | Hours | PS Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1LS Surveying | Boundary Surveys, Property Line Disputes, Land Divisions | Residential Boundary Disputes | Hillsboro, OR 97123 | Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | 4.8/5 |
| Statewide Land Surveying | Land Surveys, Hydrographic Surveys, Topographic Mapping | Comprehensive Survey Solutions | 43 NW Ava Ave, Gresham, OR 97030 | Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM | 4.7/5 |
| Compass Land Surveyors | Boundary Surveys, Partition Plats, Topographic Mapping | Public Works & Development Projects | 4107 SE International Way, Suite 705, Milwaukie, OR 97222 | Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | 4.6/5 |
| Miller Land Surveying | Boundary Surveys, Property Corners, Residential Services | Owner-Operated Personal Service | Wilsonville, OR | Mon-Sat: By Appointment | 4.9/5 |
| The Gartrell Group | GIS Strategy, Cloud Services, Custom Applications | Enterprise GIS Solutions | 1300 SE Stark Street, Portland, OR 97214 | Mon-Fri: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | 4.5/5 |
| Aerial Ethos | Drone Mapping, 3D Modeling, GIS Services | Aerial Reality Capture | Portland, OR | By Appointment | 4.7/5 |
| Town and Range Surveying | Boundary Retracement, Topographic Surveys, Easements | Statewide Property Surveys | Portland, OR (Statewide Service) | Mon-Fri: By Appointment | 4.6/5 |
| NADAR Drone Services | Aerial Photography, Construction Mapping, Inspections | Commercial Drone Operations | Portland, OR (Nationwide Service) | Mon-Fri: By Appointment | 4.8/5 |
| Metro Data Resource Center | Regional Data, Aerial Photography, Custom Analysis | Regional Planning & Analysis | 600 NE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97232 | Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | 4.4/5 |
| Veteran Drones | Surveying Support, Orthomosaic Mapping, 3D Modeling | Veteran-Owned Drone Services | Portland, OR | Mon-Fri: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM | 4.7/5 |
#1. 1LS Surveying – Best for Residential Boundary Disputes
Key Highlights:
- Veteran-owned business specializing in boundary dispute mediation and resolution
- Uses state-of-the-art equipment including robotic total stations and GNSS receivers for sub-centimeter accuracy
- Over 3 years serving Portland metro with deep knowledge of local regulations
1LS Surveying takes a unique approach to land surveying by focusing on solutions rather than just problems. Led by Professional Land Surveyor Nick LaFond, this company specializes in helping homeowners resolve property line disputes with neighbors before they turn into expensive lawsuits. Their boundary determination services are perfect for anyone planning to build a fence or add a structure near their property line.
The company stands out because Nick personally handles your project from start to finish. You won’t get passed around to different team members. He takes time to explain the surveying process in plain language that regular people can understand. Many customers appreciate how responsive and professional the service is.
Their focus on mediation and dispute resolution makes them especially valuable when dealing with difficult neighbor situations. They provide expert witness services if needed. The company serves the entire Portland metro area including Hillsboro and surrounding communities.
#2. Statewide Land Surveying – Best for Comprehensive Survey Solutions
Key Highlights:
- Over 38 years of experience providing land and hydrographic surveying services
- Full-service firm capable of both land and bathymetric (underwater) surveys across Oregon and Washington
- Uses latest technology and state-of-the-art software for precise measurements
Statewide Land Surveying delivers high-quality surveying solutions to homeowners, contractors, architects, and engineers throughout the Pacific Northwest. Based in Gresham, they handle everything from simple property corner locations to complex hydrographic surveys. Their team prides itself on combining precision surveying science with clear communication.
The company has built its reputation on personalized service that’s hard to find these days. They respond quickly to inquiries and keep clients informed throughout the entire project. Their quality control system ensures that office drawings accurately reflect the field data collected.
Whether you need a basic boundary survey for a new fence or environmental mapping for a development project, Statewide has the expertise. They also offer elevation certificates for flood insurance requirements. Their diverse capabilities make them a one-stop shop for surveying needs.
#3. Compass Land Surveyors – Best for Public Works & Development Projects
Key Highlights:
- Serving the Portland region since 1968 with proven track record
- Senior-level staff with broad expertise in public works and private development
- Certified Oregon Emerging Small Business, locally and employee-owned
Compass Land Surveyors brings over 50 years of professional surveying experience to every project. Originally founded in 1968, this Milwaukie-based firm has deep roots in the Portland metro area. They work extensively with municipalities, service districts, private developers, contractors, and individual property owners.
The company enthusiastically embraces challenges as opportunities to solve problems for their clients. Their senior-level staff knows the Portland area inside and out. This local knowledge combined with technical expertise makes them especially effective for complex projects.
In 2013, Compass consolidated their services to focus solely on land surveying. This specialization allows them to provide exceptional attention to detail. They’re an employee-owned firm where everyone has a vested interest in project success. Their work includes boundary surveys, partition plats, topographic mapping, and more.
#4. Miller Land Surveying – Best for Owner-Operated Personal Service
Key Highlights:
- Owner Andrew Miller personally provides all services, ensuring licensed professional handles every aspect
- Highly recommended for attention to detail and customer-focused approach
- Serves Portland and entire Willamette Valley region
Miller Land Surveying offers something rare in today’s business world: personal service from start to finish. Owner and operator Andrew Miller is a licensed Professional Land Surveyor who handles all aspects of your project himself. This guarantees you’re getting expert attention rather than work delegated to assistants.
Andrew has earned a strong reputation among his peers for his ability to handle complex boundary situations. He “gets it” whether solving technical surveying challenges or simply understanding what customers need. Clients consistently praise his professionalism and responsiveness.
The company specializes in residential property work including boundary surveys, property corner location, and related services. Andrew takes time to explain the process and answer questions. Many customers appreciate his honest approach, including only charging for work that’s actually necessary. His service area covers Portland and surrounding Willamette Valley communities.
#5. The Gartrell Group – Best for Enterprise GIS Solutions
Key Highlights:
- Woman-owned geospatial consulting firm with 20+ years of experience
- Longest-running provider of managed cloud-based geospatial resources in the U.S.
- Specializes in GIS strategy, application development, and cloud services
The Gartrell Group helps organizations fully capitalize on the role that location plays in their business. This Portland-based GIS consulting firm serves clients across the nation with geospatial strategy, cloud-managed GIS platforms, and custom application development. They work extensively with government agencies, utilities, and private sector clients.
What sets them apart is their deep technical expertise combined with strategic thinking. They don’t just deliver what clients ask for but help uncover what they really need. Their team has spent decades at the growing edge of geographic science and technology.
The company offers comprehensive GIS hosting and cloud services, eliminating the need for organizations to maintain their own infrastructure. They build geospatial software tools distinguished by efficiency and ease of use. Their managed services ensure clients’ GIS platforms remain reliable and performant over time. Recent projects include work with the Port of Portland and various transportation agencies.
#6. Aerial Ethos – Best for Aerial Reality Capture
Key Highlights:
- Professional aerial mapping combining 26 years of construction industry experience with drone technology
- Provides accurate drone data, laser scanning, imagery, 2D/3D models, and GIS services
- Offers discounted rates for non-profit organizations
Aerial Ethos brings together expertise in construction, architecture, and engineering with advanced drone technology. Owner Mike Liggett leverages his deep industry background to provide spatial intelligence services that help teams work more efficiently. The company serves various business sectors throughout Portland and beyond.
Their services include orthomosaic mapping, digital twin creation, 3D laser scanning, and comprehensive GIS solutions. They use enterprise-grade equipment and industry-leading software to ensure high-quality results. The team specializes in helping clients visualize and understand their projects from new perspectives.
Aerial Ethos works closely with licensed surveyors and engineers when needed to validate data and ensure compliance. They’re particularly motivated to use drone technology for environmental projects. The company provides consulting to help organizations incorporate aerial imagery and mapping into their workflows. All pilots are FAA certified and fully insured.
#7. Town and Range Surveying – Best for Statewide Property Surveys
Key Highlights:
- Over 25 years of experience as licensed land surveyors serving all of Oregon
- Specializes in boundary surveys, property disputes, topographic maps, and easements
- Transparent communication and customized strategies for each project
Town and Range Surveying delivers expert land surveying services from Portland’s urban neighborhoods to Oregon’s rural ranges. Their team of licensed professionals brings over a quarter-century of hands-on experience to every project. They handle everything from simple boundary retracement to complex development surveys.
The company emphasizes thorough property and deed research to prevent costly surprises. They dive deep into historical records and chains of title. This attention to detail proves especially valuable for property line disputes and pre-development site surveys.
Oregon’s varied landscapes and local regulations create unique challenges that Town and Range understands well. They offer free consultations to discuss your surveying needs. Services include records of survey, topographic surveys, easement creation, partitions, subdivisions, and construction staking. Their commitment to transparent communication keeps projects moving smoothly.
#8. NADAR Drone Services – Best for Commercial Drone Operations
Key Highlights:
- Premier Portland provider for commercial and residential real estate advertising, construction management, and land surveying
- FAA Part 107 Certified pilots covered by $1 million to $10 million insurance
- Single point of contact providing comprehensive drone services from start to finish
NADAR offers professional drone services across multiple industries throughout Portland and nationwide. Their team provides aerial photography, construction site mapping, architectural design support, land surveying assistance, and precision agriculture services. All pilots hold FAA Part 107 certification and maintain comprehensive insurance coverage.
The company stands out for exceptional customer service and responsiveness. They serve as your single point of contact rather than working with multiple disparate pilots. This streamlined approach improves efficiency and results. NADAR employs safety as their number one priority on every job.
Services include high-resolution aerial photography and videography, building and roof inspections, infrared imaging, 3D roof mapping, and large area elevation mapping. They provide detailed reports and CAD-compatible files. The team creates accurate site base plans that support design work and studies. Their strategic locations allow them to serve clients throughout the United States.
#9. Metro Data Resource Center – Best for Regional Planning & Analysis
Key Highlights:
- Provides state-of-the-art mapping, spatial analysis, and demographic forecasting for Portland metro region
- Nearly 200 spatial data layers covering the entire metropolitan area through RLIS database
- Custom mapping and analysis services starting at $495 for three hours of work
Metro’s Data Resource Center serves the greater Portland region with comprehensive GIS data and mapping services. They manage the Regional Land Information System (RLIS), which contains nearly 200 spatial data layers. This information ranges from aerial imagery and street mapping to canopy cover and tax lot data.
The free MetroMap web application makes it easy for anyone to visualize and explore data about the region. Users can investigate political boundaries, property values, environmental features, and much more. Metro also sells high-resolution aerial photography perfect for GIS or imagery software.
Their custom mapping and analysis services help organizations make informed decisions using RLIS data. The team provides expert spatial analysis at reasonable hourly rates. They’ve recently developed innovative tools like the Social Vulnerability Explorer for emergency planning. Metro democratizes access to authoritative regional data that supports planning and decision-making across jurisdictions.
#10. Veteran Drones – Best for Veteran-Owned Drone Services
Key Highlights:
- Full-service commercial drone provider offering inspections, surveying support, mapping, and 3D modeling
- Specializes in orthomosaic mapping and photogrammetry for construction and development projects
- Provides detailed aerial data collection for architects, surveyors, and builders
Veteran Drones offers comprehensive commercial drone services throughout Portland and Oregon. This veteran-owned company provides aerial inspections, surveying support, mapping, and 3D modeling across multiple industries. They help construction, agriculture, and land development clients gain valuable insights through aerial data.
Their orthomosaic mapping combines hundreds or thousands of images to create large, high-resolution maps. These detailed aerial views help surveyors and architects reduce costs and save time. Drones can quickly capture aerial imagery of construction sites before work begins, providing accurate baseline data.
The company performs 3D mapping, land surveys, photogrammetry, and topographic surveying even in difficult-to-access areas. Their services benefit transportation agencies through aerial inspections and traffic monitoring. Veteran Drones generates precise survey data and mapping that helps clients maintain efficiency and meet safety requirements. All operations follow FAA regulations with certified, insured pilots.
How much does a land survey cost in Portland, OR?
Land survey costs in Portland typically range from $500 to $3,000 depending on several factors. A basic property corner location might cost $500 to $800 for a small urban lot. Full boundary surveys with monuments usually run $1,200 to $2,500 for standard residential properties.
Costs increase based on property size, terrain difficulty, vegetation density, and research complexity. Rural properties with unclear historical records require more research time and fieldwork. Topographic surveys for development projects cost more because they involve detailed elevation mapping.
Getting multiple quotes helps you understand fair pricing for your specific situation. Most surveyors offer free initial consultations and estimates. The investment protects you from boundary disputes and construction mistakes that cost far more to fix later.
What is the difference between GIS mapping and land surveying?
Land surveying establishes precise legal boundaries and measurements of physical property. Surveyors use specialized equipment to determine exact property lines, corners, and elevations. Their work creates legally defensible documents for property transactions, construction, and dispute resolution. Only licensed Professional Land Surveyors can perform this work in Oregon.
GIS (Geographic Information Systems) mapping involves collecting, managing, and analyzing spatial data across large areas. GIS professionals create digital maps that combine many types of information like demographics, infrastructure, environmental features, and more. This technology helps organizations understand patterns and make informed decisions.
The two fields often work together on projects. Surveyors may provide precise boundary data that gets incorporated into GIS databases. GIS analysts use surveying information along with other data sources to create comprehensive mapping tools. Both are important for development, planning, and property management but serve different purposes.
Do I need a survey before building a fence in Portland?
You should definitely get a property survey before building a fence in Portland. Installing a fence on your neighbor’s property, even by a few inches, can create serious legal problems. Surveys prevent costly disputes by showing exactly where your property lines are located.
Many homeowners think they know their boundaries based on old fences or markers. However, existing fences are often in the wrong place. Property corners can be difficult to locate without professional equipment and training. A surveyor finds and verifies the actual legal boundaries.
Portland requires building permits for fences over 6 feet tall in most zones. Even if your fence doesn’t need a permit, knowing your boundaries protects your investment. Most surveying companies offer property corner location services that cost less than full boundary surveys. This service gives you the information needed to build confidently without encroaching on neighboring property.