ALTA Survey Providers in Iowa
15 firms provide ALTA Survey services in Iowa — 0 with a verified Iowa presence and 15 national providers covering the state. Typical Iowa pricing runs $3,000–$8,000.
Those figures come from our Iowa ALTA Survey cost analysis, which applies Iowa's regional cost index to the national base rate of $3,000–$8,000. Iowa tracks the national base rate; we publish a state-specific index only where we hold evidence that local rates diverge.
Local Providers in Iowa
We do not yet track a firm headquartered in Iowa for ALTA Survey work. That is a gap in our directory rather than a statement about the Iowa market — the national providers below all cover the state, and many maintain regional offices. If you run a Iowa firm, claim a listing.
National Providers Serving Iowa (15)
National firms carry multi-state licensing and are usually the right call for portfolio deals spanning several states.
How to Choose a ALTA Survey Provider in Iowa
- Iowa licensure. The survey must be sealed by a surveyor licensed in Iowa. Verify the licence, not just the firm's footprint.
- Table A experience. Which optional items your lender requires drives both cost and schedule — see the Table A configurator.
- Field crew availability. National firms sometimes subcontract Iowa fieldwork. Ask whether the crew is in-house.
- Title company coordination. The surveyor needs the title commitment early; firms that chase it themselves save a week.
- Record of survey requirements. Some states require a recorded survey, which adds cost and time. Confirm what applies in Iowa.
Iowa Metro Markets
ALTA Survey pricing across the Iowa markets we track. Most providers above serve all of them:
| Market | ALTA Survey cost |
|---|---|
| Des Moines | $3,030 – $8,080 |
What Moves the Price in Iowa
Property type shifts ALTA Survey cost more than geography does. These carry the largest premiums over a standard commercial parcel:
- Junkyard / Salvage Yard — +60% ($4,800–$12,800 in Iowa).
- Gas Station — +50% ($4,500–$12,000 in Iowa).
- Dry Cleaner — +40% ($4,200–$11,200 in Iowa).
- Manufacturing Facility — +40% ($4,200–$11,200 in Iowa).
- Shooting Range — +35% ($4,050–$10,800 in Iowa).
- Marina / Boat Storage — +35% ($4,050–$10,800 in Iowa).
Iowa ALTA Survey Cost by Parcel Size
After property type, acreage is the largest driver of an ALTA survey quote — more boundary to walk, more corners to set, more field days. Applied to Iowa pricing:
| Parcel size | Multiplier | Iowa cost |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 acres | 1× | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| 1-5 acres | 1.2× | $3,600 – $9,600 |
| 5-10 acres | 1.5× | $4,500 – $12,000 |
| 10-25 acres | 2× | $6,000 – $16,000 |
| 25-50 acres | 2.5× | $7,500 – $20,000 |
| 50+ acres | 3× | $9,000 – $24,000 |
Turnaround and Rush Pricing in Iowa
Standard turnaround is about 14 days from engagement in Iowa. Rush service compresses that to roughly 5 days and prices at $4,500–$12,000 — a 50% premium. The binding constraint is usually the title commitment and field crew scheduling, so getting the title work moving early buys more time than paying a rush premium.
Ask any Iowa provider what their quoted turnaround actually starts from — engagement, retainer receipt, or receipt of the title commitment. That definition is where most schedule disputes come from.
Lender Survey Requirements
Which lender is financing the Iowa deal determines both the Table A items your surveyor must include and how recently the survey must be dated. A survey that ages out has to be re-certified or re-run:
| Lender | Table A items | Survey age limit |
|---|---|---|
| Fannie Mae Multifamily | 14 | 360 days before recording |
| Freddie Mac Multifamily | 14 | 90 days before Note date |
| SBA 7(a) Loan | 14 | Per title company requirements |
| SBA 504 Loan | 14 | Per title company requirements |
| HUD/FHA Multifamily | 19 | 90 days for new surveys |
| CMBS (Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities) | 15 | Typically 180 days |
| Conventional Commercial | 11 | Varies by lender |
Confirm the requirement set before you commission the survey — adding a Table A item after fieldwork usually means a second site visit. The Table A configurator builds the exact item list for your lender.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a ALTA Survey cost in Iowa?
A ALTA Survey in Iowa typically costs $3,000 to $8,000, in line with the national base rate. Property type and scope move the figure more than location does.
How many ALTA Survey providers serve Iowa?
We track 15 firms serving Iowa: 0 with a verified Iowa presence and 15 national providers that cover the state.
Do I need a Iowa-licensed surveyor?
Yes. Land surveying is a state-licensed profession, and an ALTA/NSPS survey of Iowa property must be sealed by a surveyor licensed in Iowa. National firms meet this by holding licences in each state they serve, so confirm the licence covers Iowa before engaging.