Why are we surveyors???

Why are we surveyors? I often ask myself that question.

As a business owner I carry a significantly higher amount of liability than the big company project guy or a government employee.

While there are plenty of positive reasons to be a surveyor below are a few on the negative side.

*Surveyors are often looked down upon by other professionals such as engineers.

*We are the first ones to have the finger pointed at when something has gone wrong on a job site and have trouble defending ourselves because no one understands what we do.

*We are generally expected to be clients babysitters.

*Some surveyors put themselves in a position of extreme liability without even knowing it.

*Our services are rarely appreciated.

*Our peers under value themselves therefore driving fees into the ground.

*Big companies rent a crew out for next to nothing and make up the cash flow on engineering.

*Because of the stuff listed above, in order to survive we are unable to charge what we are worth.

*Unfortunately this list goes on and on and all of it is our fault.

Let’s face it; our product is one of the most non-desired out any service based business out there.

When was the last time you were at a party and you over heard someone saying how they just got a great deal on a land survey, or hey I just got some extra money, I am going to get a land survey, screw the flat screen or how many of you told yourself when you were kids “wow when I grow up I want to be a land surveyor”?

I have learned throughout the years that the way to make money is to concentrate on quality and service. Focusing on money causes one to lose money.

I am a firm believer that as a business man I must give a person more value for their dollar than what they paid.

Now here comes the big question: How in the bloody hell do I do that when the client is actually resentful of the idea of having to retain me?

I guess what I am trying to say is, that we are in a business that if anyone could live without it, they would drop us like a hot rock.

Now I will tell you why I am a land surveyor.

I am a land surveyor because I walked out of school and went to work as a chainman. I did that for about a year then moved up to the T2 and the distance meter. I was a crew chief by 23. I have always been a little ahead of the game in that I watched all of my friends and acquaintances struggling with bad jobs and never make any money. Frankly I hated the idea of living like them and liked that I always did better.

In hindsight I do wish that when I was younger I had tried the struggle of my friends and experienced different things.  I could have always come back.

Now here I am 26 years later, I own my company and I have gone as high as I can go in this profession. There is nothing else unless I go into the politics of it and that will never happen. Maybe academics??

I have started and been involved in several companies outside of surveying, some have done well, others have tanked. I am in the process of putting together 2 more companies as you read this.

I have been saying it for years and I will say it again. Land surveying is a great job if you are worker bee but a lousy business.

All that said, while I am in this particular business I intend to work my ass off to help make things better for the independent surveyor, the small business owner. You are the ones that have to eat the most shit and it is time to stop.

I will be discussing this matter in detail starting this week.