Liability

I have been doing a lot of re-plat's as of late.

I recently ran into an issue in which my client's title company has refused to prepare new deeds based on there being no transaction and then referred him to a deed preparation company, stating that it is to much liability.

Huh?

Now I am the first to shirk any sort of liability but this one has me confused.

I have always been under the impression that is what they do. So if this is what they do then what is the issue?

What exactly is happening out there that companies get to dump what they do on others to avoid the liability?

This brings me to a worry spot.

I have met several surveyors throughout time that seem to think absorbing liability is a good idea.

Just today I was on the phone with a colleague that was telling me how he was stuck re-designing a parking lot because the engineer tossed some grades.

I have little understanding of this sort of thinking.

Personally I would have sent it back to the engineer with some as-built shots and told him to fix it. I would have then requested a PO from my client for the new calc's I would have to do as an extra and then billed out today as an extra because the engineer wasted my time by messing things up and then suggested to my client that he back charge the engineer for my extra and wasted time.

I am wondering if this is why I don't do a lot of staking??? Huh?

So back to the deed prep thing. I am wondering if surveyors will start doing more of it even if they are not qualified to do so?? I certainly hope not.

I was on the phone with my insurance agent today. I am renewing my E&O and I once again had to remind her that I not, never have been nor will I ever be a design professional and I in no way should have to be associated with them nor have to absorb any sort of premium that has anything to do with that topic.

I wrote recently about the surveyors need to re-take our identity.

I am going to be writing a lot this year about that and also how we need to cut our liability. Those 2 things are an absolute must for all of us.

Liability surveyors!! Lets all cut back on it the un-required and double our protection on the required.

Make it a great week.

Equipment and Software

I just bought a new data collector, an FC336 with Magnet.

I have decided to go this direction because of the cloud upload capacity of the Magnet and the fact that along with Magnet comes upgrades and keeps me current.

I also chose this particular DC because of the internal modem for network.

I'm pretty jazzed about the upgrade and should have it in my hands in a day or two.

The forecast of 2014 is looking very good and I will be upgrading my GPS and purchasing a robot as well.

Now as for office software. I am still agonizing on this one as I still despise AutoCad.

I have it narrowed down between Micro Survey and the new Topcon office.

Both will have a learning curve but to be honest right now I am leaning toward the Topcon due to fact that I can simply import from the cloud, I can have my desktop connected to the DC and the points will import as the field shots are taken and it looks very simple to use as is TopSurv.

I am really like the idea of using office and field software that are made by the same company.

As the next couple of months unfold I will tell you all about it and the directions I will be going.

Peace out surveyors. Make it a great and profitable week.

Identity

I have noticed something about surveyor's that truly pisses me off.

We have no identity of our own. We are thrown into this mix with civil's and designers that is beyond sucky.

We as surveyors we must take back, yes I said take back our identity. For some reason we have become so aligned with other professions that know one really knows or understands the importance of what it is we do.

As surveyors we are the basis of just about everything that has to do with land. We are by far the most important part of any land based project and if we tube it the whole thing is a mess from there on.

Why in the hell are the design professionals getting all of the credit when most of them could not hit their own ass with either hand?

How many times have your  heard "the engineers are here" or " not our fault your engineer set that point" or " I always thought that surveyors are civil's" or " how many cfm's are my wash" or " can I build it like this instead"???? This list is way to long for me to continue and actually it makes my head spin.

We are not design professionals and we should in no shape or form be associated with them.

How about those fella's that call themselves Civil Surveyors? Pack sand you arrogant ass, you are a surveyor, OWN IT!!!

This whole situation is our fault and it is this man's opinion that we need to do something about it.

Having our own identity will give the profession of surveying a whole new meaning. It will allow us to dictate our own fees, it will give us a face in the community, it will give us more weight at the BTR, this list is also endless.

If we as a profession can achieve what we are capable of instead being a lap dog to some numb nuts civil engineer, we can become a true professional entity that carries weight and has the respect that we are due.

It will enable all of us to have a path that we all deserve and it will eliminate the dirt bag bottom feeders that ruin things for us and give us a bad name.

Yes you know who you are and you should be ashamed of yourself's. You low dollar lap dogs really need to develop some big picture thinking. Try to think past the eye lids. You'll be better off.

OK!! Now I want some serious opinions on this matter. I am challenging everyone that reads this blog to step up and give us your 2 cents. Post as anonymous, I do not care, just say something.

Surveying used to be one of the most revered profession's and it is up to us to make it that way again.

Imagine a world where and LS makes the fee of an attorney?  That's the way it should be and anyone that thinks different should have their head examined.

Peace out surveyors. Make it a great week. We have a great big year in front of us.

Holidays Again

Well boys and girls it's been on hell of a year.

Revenues are up which is a blessing and I am thinking the world is starting to balance out again.

I personally have under gone a lot of change. Some good, some weird and some unbelievable, but at the end of the day I am grateful for it all.

OK surveyors it's that time. Yes let's give it up once again for the Surfing Santa!!!!!

I love red clad this tubby bitch of the water ways. He signifies a lot of things for me and I am sure for a lot of you too.

Remember, no matter how old we get there is still a lot of kid in us. My New Year resolution is to let as much of my kid come out as possible.

So lets have a drink and chug a lug, by our kids a bunch of cool things to open on the 25th and if your are Jewish enjoy the Chinese food and the movies that day.

One thing for sure, even though we may be different in the way we think, our beliefs and the way we do things, we are all still surveyors and it is strange what a small community this is. It's one of those weird little bonds that we can't break no matter what, because there are so few of us.

Make it a great holiday season surveyors. Good bad or ugly I am grateful for all of you.

Peace, love and booty grease!!


Oh and what ever you do try to avoid this situation.

Surveyors of the Future

I have been pondering the future of surveying as of late and am wondering what we need to do as a group to make this an appealing profession for those bright eyed non jaded youngsters of America.

Question: Would you recommend that your children become a surveyor?

My Answer: Hell no!!

So what is the answer from my readers? Please chime in.

So there in lies my dilemma. When I am asked by a young person if I would recommend this as a profession what do I say? Really, if I would not recommend it to my kids how could I in good conscience tell someone else's kid to do it?

Do I tell them the truth?
That surveying is a great job as long as you work under the shield of the government or a big company.
And further be even more honest and tell them that it is an absolutely horrible business to be in.

How does one explain the truth to an enthused youngster without kicking the wind completely out of their sails? A great job but terrible business? Seems to be a contradiction.

How does one explain the difference between the surveying biz and the customer service biz?

Personally I am in the customer service business and surveying just happens to be the professional service that I provide. I get a lot of work from people that have previously used surveyors that have bad customer service.

So fellow surveyors, what say you on this topic?? Please step up with some input.

Make it a great week!

New Board Rules

I have been reading the new board rules and I will tell you right now that I like them.

I had some questions and asked the powers that be and got some great answers and feedback.

It was instantly clear that I need to slow down and be more thorough when reading things such as the rules that govern my profession.

Now I want to take a moment to thank the people that worked on updating these rules.

This is an extremely tough job as it effects each and everyone one of us in the surveying world.

Can you imagine the shit these guys have gotten through this process? How about the endless yammering by the non progressive numb nuts'zzzz?

I call that the not want to do anything but be the first to bitch syndrome.
So if you did not help, shut the fuck up. (Myself included).

Surveying is a profession where things do change. The fundamentals are the same but with technology comes change and staying on top of the rules needs to happen.

I am unsure how often they come up for review but I personally recommend that it get done more often.

So hey everyone, lets give some big ups to the people that stepped to the plate and put their valuable time and energy into something that is so important to us as professionals.

I am sure we will be better for it even with the small changes being proposed.

Peace out surveyors and make it a great week.

GDAC Issue

OK. I have raved for years about how I think GDAC is the greatest research tool I have ever seen.

I continue to say this today, however I found a problem.

The southwest corner of Section 4, Township 2 North, Range 4 East is noted on GDAC as an aluminum cap.

I have been to this corner several times and it has always been a 5/8" rebar with a smashed cap.

Big deal it checks and fits well with everything around it.

I have been working on a lot that the description commences on that corner then runs north 580 feet +/-. Actually every lot around there does the same thing.

Me being the diligent monkey that I am I shoot the section corner and go north 580 feet and what do I find? I find an aluminum cap stamped section corner.

Now here is my question:

What kind of crack was the crew chief smoking when he went to cap that rebar?

This person actually had to walk about a quarter of a mile and 200 vertical feet to cap a point that is no where near the proper location to which that cap belongs.

Now here is another kicker. That 580' point is called out on the GDAC interactive map and hits awesome for xyz.

Things like this are always a chuckle.

Thanks erroneous crew chief for the good belly laugh!!

This is honestly the first time I have ever found a real problem with any GDAC info.

Keep up the great work MCDOT.

Make it a great week surveyors.