Why does my survey cost so much?

My lie that seems to have more traction than the truth: "Really expensive space age equipment that enables me to be better in the field."

The truth that occasionally hits home: There's a $80/hr minimum round here just to insure a guy against what can happen to him/what he may do to other, have transportation for him, and equip him.?ÿ I haven't paid him yet. Additionally, field operations are half of my man hours for boundary.?ÿ There's a man hour in the office/researching for every hour in the field.

Steve

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I refer folks to the State Statute and the Land Court Manual.....

It depends on the client.?ÿ If its John Doe off the street asking why a boundary survey is so expensive its usually a short explanation of our estimated time to complete the project multiplied by our rates.?ÿ It is what it is.

If its a municipal client I would tell them we can reduce our cost as soon as they reduce our expected level of effort.?ÿ Our rates are our rates.?ÿ Don't let them bully you down to less than your standard rates.

What is your response, when a potential clients asks you to explain your fee?

Retirement houses on the beach don't pay for themselves.

I explain that my fee is based on what I know about their neighborhood and the controlling survey points related to their specific parcel. I develop a strategy to accomplish the scope of what they expect me to do and convert that into dollars and time frame. I always make note that they will receive a record of the survey and that it will be filed with the county for ever and ever.?ÿ

I find that there is a segment of the population that wants to know how the sausage is made and they usually find that the above is not specific enough. But they are probably comparing me to X, Y and Z. Not sure I want them as a client anyway.?ÿ

I guess that one could reply that as land values rise so does my liability for the work that I do. I choose to utilize current data in my business model which is why you may think that the fee is high. But its not.?ÿ

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Have you priced new trucks lately?

I sometimes say "It doesn't - have you priced a refrigerator lately?"

This came up at our local ASPLS meeting last week. One of my old mentors was there and had this to say:

Client: "Why is this survey so expensive?"

T: "What do you do for a living? Why is that so expensive?"

Client: "Crickets".

I mention the nickel candy bars, dime bottles of pop and 75 cent tire repairs that I can remember from my early years. ?ÿExpensive is a relative term based on one person's perspective. ?ÿBack about 1974 when a gallon of gas went from 35 cents to 75 cents in a matter of 90 days or less we all grasped the concept of "expensive". ?ÿEspecially those of us with gross pay of about $2.00 per hour.

Posted by: holy cow

I mention the nickel candy bars, dime bottles of pop and 75 cent tire repairs that I can remember from my early years. ?ÿExpensive is a relative term based on one person's perspective. ?ÿBack about 1974 when a gallon of gas went from 35 cents to 75 cents in a matter of 90 days or less we all grasped the concept of "expensive". ?ÿEspecially those of us with gross pay of about $2.00 per hour.

You know Cow; you're exactly right. I remember my Grandparents complaining that the price of a loaf of bread doubled! It went from a nickle to a dime...

It's not like we're a family traveling out here on the Oregon Trail; to the Land of Milk and Honey, is it? I mean; we've got a lot to spend our money on today; with I-this and I-that; Netflix: Amazon and the like...

Don't get me wrong, I'm not happy about it either. But this is what we're stuck with. Resistance is futile, so we myswell roll with the flow. Suck it up, Buttercup, it's going to be a long strange trip.

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Because you're worth it.

Because I am absolutely awesome...

"It is what it is."

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I like WilliWaw like to ask about there chosen profession.

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What i really enjoy is when it's a realtor asking.

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The Hack

I remember when Hostess zingers went from 21 cents to 24 cents and then to 26 cents and I pledged the end of indulging in zingers because there was no way cup cakes were worth more than a quarter :).?ÿ I guess I was an old fart even when I was 16. Jp

I refuse to get into some hand wringing justification for the costs of my surveys. It is my fee and I have no guilt and feel no need to justify it or explain it. I could always choose to charge more.

Posted by: Just A. Surveyor

I refuse to get into some hand wringing justification for the costs of my surveys. It is my fee and I have no guilt and feel no need to justify it or explain it. I could always choose to charge more.

I think that is right. I have gone so far as to invite people to cruise by the surveyors office of their choice to count the BMWs. That number will likely total up to zero. Unless the surveyor shares space with an architect.

I usually respond with my hourly rate, then break down the project into field, office, research and driving time so they can see how quickly the cost?ÿ adds up. If they question my hourly rate, I usually respond with a mechanic, plumber or electrician charge about $100 an hour. If they still complain, I just say call me if you need it done and leave it at that. I don't let them drag me into a bargaining war.