Sunday, October 31, 2010

The Results of Survey

Let me start out by saying that the requirements for a “Results of Survey” as set forth by the BTR are pretty awesome.
I believe that it makes the surveyor more responsible for his actions and procedures and holds him absolutely accountable and therefore increasing a professional attitude.
I love the fact that more survey information is available to me on the internet therefore making our research efforts easier (in certain counties that is), giving us a better taste test comparison between surveys etc.
Now I am going to throw out a problem and that problem is cost.
Note: Every job is different and has a unique set of circumstance (a cool thing about surveying), so I want to use a basic stereo type for this post.
Example:  We are hired by someone that is only interested in seeing where their corners are, they could care less about a map, public records, law etc. they only want to see the position of the monuments on the ground for who knows what, a new wall, shrubs, the possibilities are endless.
We being the good surveyors that we are go out and discover that an ROS is required according to the BTR. We explain to our client that we have to file a map in order to up hold standards put upon us.
Note: When presenting a client with a scope of service I clearly state that if an ROS is required per BTR standards $XXX will be added to the cost for mapping, filing fees etc.
The client knowing everything up front finds out that this has to happen and tells you straight out that they do not need it, it does them absolutely no good and they are not going to pay for it.
So here we have our dilemma. In today’s climate we as surveyors have given the client the privilege of choosing by price which to our detriment has made things really tough on the bottom line (profit) of any project.
Now I am going to tell you that I agree with the client. 90% of the time an ROS is a useless piece of paper to a client and they most likely feel robbed because they had to pay for.  
In my opinion this hurts future business referrals and the client will only remember how expensive it was, not the fantastic customer service they received. (People are prone to remember the negative first).
It’s hard enough to even get a project because of all the people out there willing to pay for work (to be discussed at a later date), but how do we as surveyors convince a client that an ROS is good and beneficial when most of the time the only thing it helps is public records and of course standards and other surveyors.
As a business man the most important thing to me is the bottom line on my Profit and Loss statement at the end of the month.
These rules that I have to adhere to as noted earlier are awesome, however if I am to follow them exactly do I have to reach into my own pocket and foot the bill for an ROS or turn a 1% profit on a job or just cover labor?
Where do we draw the line? Do we just say to hell with it and say that we found everything, it checks well and no map is needed? Do we just eat the cost in the name of standards?
I really want to know what you all think about this. I want to hear from every sector. This topic will carry a lot of opinions so please share.

Also I just discovered that you can post as anonymous. Figuring out the whole blog thing has been fun:)

Friday, October 29, 2010

The weekend!!

Oh yeah it's the weekend and Halloween to boot.

I want to thank everyone that viewed my blog today. Great response!!!!

FYI. Since I am new to the whole blogging thing I had this thing locked up so only members can comment. I have now changed it so anyone can, so please speak your mind. Let me know if it doesn't work.

Also please see the comment below my "Dirt Bag" post from Dane. It speaks loudly and I really appreciate his input. (Click comment button)

Next week I am going to throw out a couple of controversial topics. I really want to hear from you, even if you want to email a comment so no one knows who you are I will post it for you.
That said I am willing to talk about any topic on any ones behalf (within reason) if you are uncomfortable doing so.

Well now it is time to shut off those computers, set down the gps and go do your thing, albeit get inebriated at a Halloween party, sleep, football, racing, take the kids trick or treating or wave signs of protest against the dark satan holiday.

Enjoy, be safe and tune in again for further posts.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Board Review Committee

OK, back in 2006 I made a mistake on a job and informed a client that his legal description was messed up and he needed to seek the advice of a good land attorney in order to resolve the issue. Probably a quiet title action.
I sent him an invoice for time in. (Yes I did consult 3 other surveyors)

In the mean time my company did another job for the same guy.

Well, he never paid for either project so I sued him. It was a lot of money and I hate being stiffed.
So he retains another surveyor who promptly finds our mistake. He counter sues and turns me into the board. Needless to say the whole thing has been a costly mess.

I go in for my review and am sitting there looking at 4 of my peers. A woolly biker looking fella who I could tell had been around the block a million times, an amiable Aussie, a pale guy who looked as though he had been stuck in a basement computer room for the last 30 years and an over zealous government guy.

After a few minutes of bickering with these guys I figure out that I am wrong and majorly screwed so I argue a little more on principal then throw up my hands and ask what they want to do.

Due to my agreeable nature we got out of there pretty quick and I left with only 4 counts of the original 10 filed against me. A win-win in my book.

I ate a fine and filed an amended survey. (I should be in an upcoming quarterly board newsletter)

I am wondering what makes a guy decide to sit on a committee like this. I compare them to an internal affairs cop. A thankless job.

Everyone has a different motivation albeit to improve standards, ego, boredom etc.

Bottom line is that these 4 guys are hero's.

So lets give them big applause for doing a job that most never want to do and those that appear before them will resent.

In my opinion they make our profession much better.

I know where I never want to go again!!