The viewers shall meet at the time and place specified in the warrant and commence at the place designated in the petition as the starting point of the road sought to be altered, widened, changed or laid out and established. The viewers shall proceed to view and mark out the road by setting stakes, blazing trees, turning a furrow or other appropriate monuments to the terminus named in the petition by the most practicable and convenient route that they in their judgment can find. They shall assess the benefits and damages accruing to all persons by reason of the alteration, widening, changing or laying out of the road and award to any person damages in excess of the benefits accruing to the person a sum equal to such excess. If the viewers or a majority of them are of the opinion that the road should be altered, widened, changed or laid out and established, they shall cause a survey and plat of the road to be made by a licensed professional surveyor or other competent person giving the courses and distances and specifying the land over which the road extends.