I saw this article this evening.
Hummm. Some of the arguments seem familiar?
Why your dentist costs so much.
Something to consider.
Larry P
Read the comments; they probably say the same thing about surveyors.
I have a very good Dentist. Dental should be part of regular Health Insurance; it is at least as important as the rest of your health. Even my Vet takes care of the cat's teeth.
The attitude of the average person is astonishing.
This is a professional that goes into your mouth with a high velocity drill and they are worried about nickels. But I look around their office and realize this stuff is not cheap. I can't imagine just the permits and insurance for the x-ray machine; it has to be horrendous.
We deal with most people's most valuable asset and they want it on the cheap. Few seem to get it.
There's always Dr. Nick...
OR....he could be Surveyor Nick....
No kidding Dave. Those comments should be taken to heart by all us surveyors. We are professionals, but we do run a business. People don't really know what we do. They don't care what it takes, they just want it right and to feel like they got a fair price.
As I just quoted a guy $675 to survey his rural acre. He's putting a 4' block wall around 3 sides and wanted to make sure it was in the right place. He was astonished at the fee and said he'll call back. That was borderline lowball too, but I don't expect a return call. I did remind him that a block wall is around $40/ft times his 400 ft. So the 675 backed into 16,000 is not much to assure it's in the right place.
...maybe his teeth will fall out before his $1,900 dog runs away...
> Read the comments; they probably say the same thing about surveyors.
That's EXACTLY what I thought when I read it.
> The attitude of the average person is astonishing.
I agree 100%
> This is a professional that goes into your mouth with a high velocity drill and they are worried about nickels. But I look around their office and realize this stuff is not cheap. I can't imagine just the permits and insurance for the x-ray machine; it has to be horrendous.
>
> We deal with most people's most valuable asset and they want it on the cheap. Few seem to get it.
Dave, almost stated my thoughts almost word for word.
That argument is one that will not gain respect. Sell your work as an insurance policy with no annual renewal fee, then explain what is involved in accepting the liability for marking their property lines. That is what we offer, and that alone is the true value of what we do.
jud
??duh??
Client education is number one. But just like a beagle, a turtle, or a rock - some just are un-trainable. Interesting side twist is the number of surveys I do that are prompted by the adjoiners of such ignorant non-clients.