Hi,
I've been solo for over a year now. I'm from Belgium so about finances, leasing, taxes, etc.. i cannot compare with you guys.
The thing what i''ve done and would suggest to someone who wants to start is to invest in the latest technology. I've bought a robot, a gps, autodesk software and recently a digital level. Because it's all the latest i can do tasks that takes another guy 2 hours in half an hour.
Where I work the price isn't always the deciding factor but when you can process more data in less time your client is going to be very happy.
Invest also some time in learning all the posibilities of your gear. Almost every week i find a neat little function on SurvCE which helps me do things quicker and more reliable. Set up your gear in the garden and explore all the functions at your own pace without a client looking over your shoulder when you're trying to figure out how it works on a job. This always gets on my nerves and is pretty embarrasing.
Greetings
FIRST thing to do is go to Amazon and buy this book and read it cover to cover.
http://www.amazon.com/Business-Management-Handbook-Land-Surveyors/dp/0980059631
then get back to us with any questions. Oh, and good luck, solo for 6+ years and love it (almost all the time) Unless you are in SW florida, then nevermind, don't do it!! hahaha.
Andy
edit... apparently, it's out of print! I thought you could order the CD and just print yourself, but maybe not. Anyone know where to get Dan's book? I bought the CD version years ago, but haven't seen it in a few years. (probably in the attic with the rest of my music collection!)
Solo Operators-Giving Notice?
This is a very timely post for myself. Allen Wrench's post describes by current job situation almost identically: I work at a small engineering firm, only surveyor on staff, doing mostly (95%) solo GPS surveying and some topo with our "field guy" (who actually is our marketing/proposal guru who I've trained to be a pretty good field hand).
Lot of good information listed above that I've already implemented and some that I need to consider. Thanks everybody!
My question is: How much notice do I give my present employer? I say two weeks, but my wife (who fully supports my decision to hang out a shingle!) says more (four weeks) for a professional position. I'm not looking to settle anything, but just seeking advice from other professionals.
> edit... apparently, it's out of print! I thought you could order the CD and just print yourself, but maybe not. Anyone know where to get Dan's book? I bought the CD version years ago, but haven't seen it in a few years. (probably in the attic with the rest of my music collection!)
I have looked for this book several times and have had no such luck. I would love to get my hands on a copy of it though.
Solo Operators-Giving Notice?
I would try to give four weeks, they may not take you up on it. Any chance of going solo, but keeping your current employer as a client? might be a win win for both of you, if you are doing all the work anyway.
Solo Operators-Giving Notice?
> I would try to give four weeks, they may not take you up on it. Any chance of going solo, but keeping your current employer as a client? might be a win win for both of you, if you are doing all the work anyway.
Thanks for the suggestion...that means I need to tell them tomorrow, or at least next week! 🙂 I'm shooting for May 4th as my last day. :beer:
Keeping them as a client is a very real possibility and would work very well, I think. I'm hopeful that this will be the case, but I'm not counting on it in my planning. This is something I plan on discussing with them, along with other things...
The Management Handbook for Land Surveyors
David,
On the face of the CD in the copyright there is an email. It is contactus@goedatum.com. I dont know if the email is any good or not but I would try there first. Let me know how it works out.
The Management Handbook for Land Surveyors
Thanks. Just sent them an email; we'll see how it goes.
The Management Handbook for Land Surveyors
I would be interested in obtaining a copy of this book as well. Please post the response you get to your email.
Solo Operators-Giving Notice?
lots of good advice - and I agree with everyone, especially those who mention NOT starting out having too much debt. It WILL take time to collect your first invoice, and sometimes that 30 days turns into 90 days unless you're willing to consistently follow up on late-paying clients. good luck - keep us posted 🙂
> Hi,
>
> I've been solo for over a year now. I'm from Belgium so about finances, leasing, taxes, etc.. i cannot compare with you guys.
> The thing what i''ve done and would suggest to someone who wants to start is to invest in the latest technology. I've bought a robot, a gps, autodesk software and recently a digital level. Because it's all the latest i can do tasks that takes another guy 2 hours in half an hour.
> Where I work the price isn't always the deciding factor but when you can process more data in less time your client is going to be very happy.
> Invest also some time in learning all the posibilities of your gear. Almost every week i find a neat little function on SurvCE which helps me do things quicker and more reliable. Set up your gear in the garden and explore all the functions at your own pace without a client looking over your shoulder when you're trying to figure out how it works on a job. This always gets on my nerves and is pretty embarrasing.
>
> Greetings
:good: :good:
Not to be a downer, but if you're living paycheck to paycheck and are in debt, you aren't ready.
90% of all start-up businesses fail in the first two years. The odds are even worse for you because you are starting out in a very poor financial position. You don't have much financial staying power and no matter how hard you work, it will be a slow start.
The good news is that you have a job and have time to prepare yourself. There's lots to prepare.
One of the first things to think about is how to clearly describe to potential clients why you are different (a better choice) than the other five established companies who have bids on the table, some of which will be cheaper than yours.
> Wow, thanks everyone for the very helpful replies. I was not expecting such encouraging comments. As I suspected, the actual survey work is the easiest part, and failure will likely come as a result of bad business practices.
>
> I am not afraid of all the work and long hours. The big sticking point for me is the lack of income I will have when starting up. I'm living paycheck to paycheck as the saying goes, and like everyone else, I have a ton of bills already.
>
> The way I imagine this going in my mind is like this:
>
> ME: Ok, I'm open for business - come on in!
> PUBLIC:
> ME: Oh boy, 3 months later and I got paid for my first job - $800. Crap, I have meanwhile racked up $4000 in debt.
>
> In my current job, I get maybe 20% of the bids I put out, mainly because our rates are substantially higher than everyone else in town. All the time I'm thinking I could easily do this job by myself for half the money and have plenty left over. But that's the trick I guess is getting the calls coming in.
>
> Again, thanks for all the advice. It is greatly appreciated.
I have Dans book on CD...
If i can find the cd:-(
> Wow, thanks everyone for the very helpful replies. I was not expecting such encouraging comments. As I suspected, the actual survey work is the easiest part, and failure will likely come as a result of bad business practices.
>
> I am not afraid of all the work and long hours. The big sticking point for me is the lack of income I will have when starting up. I'm living paycheck to paycheck as the saying goes, and like everyone else, I have a ton of bills already.
>
> The way I imagine this going in my mind is like this:
>
> ME: Ok, I'm open for business - come on in!
> PUBLIC:
> ME: Oh boy, 3 months later and I got paid for my first job - $800. Crap, I have meanwhile racked up $4000 in debt.
>
> In my current job, I get maybe 20% of the bids I put out, mainly because our rates are substantially higher than everyone else in town. All the time I'm thinking I could easily do this job by myself for half the money and have plenty left over. But that's the trick I guess is getting the calls coming in.
>
> Again, thanks for all the advice. It is greatly appreciated.
If you're living paycheck to paycheck start buying cheapo equipment now and work part time after work and on weekends. Get your feet wet.
Solo Operators-Giving Notice?
I'm so glad I came here first. There's such good advice and intelligent people here to learn from. The big message I came away with here is the personal debt. I'm clearly not ready now financially, but it's something I never even considered before. In my fool mind I was thinking I quit tomorrow, startup, and the checks just flow in uninterrupted.
It is very encouraging though, since some of what everyone's posted here I've already thought about. Not to say I know it all already by any means, but it makes me feel good to see that I'm on the right track, and you can never have too much good advice.
I have no doubt that I could make it work, but the start up process is rough. I might have to just take a job with another company in town in the mean time until I'm ready, because the whole start of this idea is because of what a living hell my company is to work for.
Anyway, thanks again!
Solo Operators-Giving Notice?
Don't assume that it will be a while until you get paid. My first big project on my own, before I was set up with equipment or understood AutoCAD, was a large commercial site. I asked for half down since I didn't know the client and the next day there was the check by Fed-Ex.
Solo Operators-Giving Notice?
What Bruce said! And also don't assume that good work isn't out there right now.
I bought a small existing business and Converted it to a SOLO operation. Got a call to do a commercial ALTA, nearly turned it down because the schedule was so FUBAR from the previous owner. The attorney was nice enough to tell me that wasn't a smart move. He was right. I'm still surveying for this client!
Good luck.
Solo Operators-Giving Notice?
:good:
debt
This is something I am working with right now as well. I would like to suggest something to you. I purchased a couple of books and some software from Dave Ramsey. He has a great plan that will get you where you need to be financially, if you just follow his plan. It's not easy at first, but it works.
Solo Operators-Giving Notice?
Don't feel bad, we all did the same thing. My wife jokes that my construction gig supports my land surveying addiction, survey until I'm broke, go back to construction until the bank is solid again, then back to my true love.
There are a very few receivables that go back years and total thousands of dollars, very expensive education about dealing with sharks. It's all good today though, as those companies are no longer in business.
As was said before, start acquiring equipment today. Start a war chest and save, save, save for this goal. If you intend to make it long term, plan long term. I worked for one company that carried 5 crews through some very lean times without laying off anybody, even though the conventional wisdom is to lay off as soon as the work runs out. He felt the strength of the business was the people and squirreled away against hard times, as he had been through them before.
There is no reason not to do the same in advance. Planning for tomorrow while making every dollar work for you today has no downside.
