If you don't tape it - they'll paint it (or would).
Andy
Unfortunately my office is in this area and I know of this guy. His work reflects his prices
no, that is not illegal. I've never seen that documented either, Tommy.
Tacky? Yes. Unprofessional? You Betcha.
Would the ad have been ok if the rates were around $1000?
I know it has been said a million times over---but I always tell people who complain about us being higher--"Would you go to the cheapest doctor you could find for surgery?"
But most people don't care--if it's wrong or in error or lacks significant features, they can always sue.
The Formula ************
The Formula is 7:30 to 8:30
Are you playing "follow the follower" ?
[flash width=420 height=315]//www.youtube.com/v/5U4M7IRNBks?version=3&hl=en_US[/flash]
I think it's unprofessional to put ANY rate in a letter like that. I really don't care what others charge, it's not my business.
I tell people the truth, that every project is different, and while some might end up in a certain range, it's best to have an actual look at the scope of services needed and the property itself to generate an actual quote that I will stand behind. All of my work is "lump sum", so if I miss something, that is my fault. I never go back and try to revise my fee. If the scope changes, then that fee will be negotiated then.
I agree with that. I wouldn't put a price out there because there are too many variables on each survey. However, I'm not sure doing so makes one unprofessional. As long as you are providing the proper service, instead of letting the price drive the service, I don't think it matters.
The general public doesn't know a "good" survey from a "bad" survey. Theoretically, the fact that surveyor's are licensed assures that all surveys are "good". So price becomes the critical factor for most people when shopping for a surveyor. We need to do a better job of educating the public on what constitutes a "good" survey. I disagree with those who say "...you get what you pay for...". Unfortunately, some surveyor's charge a premium because they have the newest equipment; but, do little or no research.
I didnt say that 30% came off the top. I said you pay 30,000 in taxes a year while that is just a stab in the dark, not knowing your income, I bet I am a lot closer than you think. What is the sales tax in florida now anyways???
>What is the sales tax in florida now anyways???
It's 7% here, but we have no state income tax, and if you keep track of it you can deduct it from your federal tax return...
:good:
Cheers
youbenhavin?
> I know it has been said a million times over---but I always tell people who complain about us being higher--"Would you go to the cheapest doctor you could find for surgery?"
>
> But most people don't care--if it's wrong or in error or lacks significant features, they can always sue.
From a public point of view, if you have a license by the state board then you should be doing a job that meets the minimum technical standards just like the next joe shmoe with a license.
If joe shmoe is half your price then what should they think?
In this world money talks BS walks.... to the public paying for a survey is right up there with the gas bill, taxes, and car repairs
I honestly don't think the average person cares about a survey, its a have to item not a want to item
The problem is that if all you can do is survey and the bottom drops out on the prices then you are stuck in that market trying to convince people how much better you are than the next surveyor and how they should pay you more....this is suck A$$ situation
It is so much more fun and lucrative to sell something people love, want, are willing to pay big $ for..........something easy for the public to see the value and want it.
I have been on both sides of the fence....selling surveys is like pushing a wet noodle up hill with your nose.
The hard cold truth
Boundary,
You stated it so much better than I could have.
youbenhavin(?)
Part of the problem is boundary surveying is stuck in the 19th century, it has an ad hoc nature about it.
Most other things of public interest such as public utilities and streets are jointly done to standards. The City never paves over their manholes and water valves. The Civil Engineer doesn't go build the manhole himself out of scrap materials.
The boundary infrastructure should be a public utility built to construction standards. That way it would get a lot more respect. And the effort required to do a boundary survey would be a lot closer to what the average homeowner can pay.
We seem to try to fix things in law, allowing ILCs and having arcane common law doctrines to account for the average level of chaos because boundary monuments have traditionally been so poor quality they don't last or aren't found or known by the property owners.
Traditionally in California boundary surveys aren't done for fun, almost always something is wanting to be done, construction, timber harvest, mining, subdivision (related to construction) or a dispute. Rarely are surveys done for ordinary residential transactions.
I personally think requiring surveys for sales transactions outside of subdivision tends to reduce surveying to a check off box which the immediate danger of causing an encroachment is not present so things are done in such a way as to reduce the cost.
> Traditionally in California ... Rarely are surveys done for ordinary residential transactions.
They don't do surveys for residential mortgages in California? Don't all banks require a title insurance policy (without a B2 survey exception) on the properties they mortgage? Can't do that without some kind of survey.
No. Title Insurance is required but surveys aren't.
Will the title companies insure for title defects that would be revealed by survey? Around here the title insurers will put an exception to policy if no survey is provided. The mortgage lenders require no survey exceptions (I have heard that it was required for the mortgage to be sold on the secondary market).
> The boundary infrastructure should be a public utility built to construction standards. That way it would get a lot more respect. And the effort required to do a boundary survey would be a lot closer to what the average homeowner can pay.
>
I agree, however wouldn't that do away with the notion of this Dynamic Cadastre that seems to be a matter of opinion?
Think about it, a well maintained Boundary infrastructure would probably do away with most of what is argued about here and would also minimize private participation. It could be run by Civil Servants