Looking for surveyor for new property

[AaronM]

DavidPDX -

Did you hire someone or did you go the DIY route?

[tikicarver]

Ok, this might be a dumb question but I'm just starting my research on buying land on the Big Island.

Why do you have to record the survey with the County?

I know when we bought our house on Oahu my loan lender wanted a survey. I assume that is basically to prove the exact size of the lot so they know the value of it. 
So if you are paying cash I would think you don't  need a survey and could just use the county Plat maps to give a legal description of the property for a Bill of Sale.

The other reason I can think of for a survey, is when you go to get a building permit.
They want a site map that shows your planned building and shows all the required set backs are met.
But I'm not sure if they require an actual recorded survey of the lot.

Can anyone who has built a permitted house chime in on this?
Mahalo