I know a lot of surveyors are 8-5 M-F and that is fine if that is what you want to do. I however am working on a project that runs 7 days a week 12 hours a day and a RPLS took on some of the work and will not even answer the phone outside of 8-5 M-F. I am not expecting the guy to come out on Sunday morning but if someone has a quick question that can be answered with a phone call I don't think it is too much to ask. If you don't want to do that maybe you shouldn't have taken on a project that you knew before hand was a seven day a week thing. I can leave a voicemail on his cell at 5:01 on Friday and won't get a call back until 8:00 on Monday. Meanwhile a half dozen people trying to work on the weekend are in a bind. Thoughts?
I'd say it's the company/individuals fault that hired him. There's a ton of Surveyors out there that would do exactly what you are looking for. They are quality Surveyors but more than likely they charge the rates that a PROFESSIONAL should charge. Therefore, when bidding/quoting the job they tend to be a little higher and don't win. If you pay for sh#! That's what you get.
A contract that specifically spells out the expectations of both parties is a practical necessity, the value of which can not be over-stressed.
I always try to make myself available to my close clients. I get very little after hours chatter, but when I do it is usually important.
It could be worse. Be thankful you don't have to fill out an "RFI" (Request For Information) and wait four days to get a question answered. (Or even worse, wait four days to get a reply from a Request stating, "Why do you want to know that ?") :pinch:
I had a friend in IT who would get calls at all hours related to tech support. If the call took less than 15 minutes he got payed for an hour, if it took more than 15 he got compensated for three hours.
Drilldo, post: 337132, member: 8604 wrote: I know a lot of surveyors are 8-5 M-F and that is fine if that is what you want to do. I however am working on a project that runs 7 days a week 12 hours a day and a RPLS took on some of the work and will not even answer the phone outside of 8-5 M-F. I am not expecting the guy to come out on Sunday morning but if someone has a quick question that can be answered with a phone call I don't think it is too much to ask. If you don't want to do that maybe you shouldn't have taken on a project that you knew before hand was a seven day a week thing. I can leave a voicemail on his cell at 5:01 on Friday and won't get a call back until 8:00 on Monday. Meanwhile a half dozen people trying to work on the weekend are in a bind. Thoughts?
I am sorry you are frustrated.... HOWEVER if you needed "7 days a week 12 hours a day" response you should have asked for that up front.
contact the firm and ask for that enhanced service.
(I will do that, but only on Very rare occasions)
It's all about the surprises. If everyone knows up front about being on call, you've got a beef. If not then some renegotiating needs to be done.
I personally get tired of never having a day without dealing with crap. Few of the calls I get after hours are for things that couldn't wait or should not have been foreseen before the end of Friday. My favorite is the Sunday calls about things I emailed details on last Monday.
Before going down the road of 7 day availability I would suggest taking a look at the project communication structure. If one person can shut it down by taking a weekend off something is wrong...
🙂 one of my best mentors, Jack Goble, said to me once "if you think someone is essential fire him"
Peter Ehlert, post: 337148, member: 60 wrote: I am sorry you are frustrated.... HOWEVER if you needed "7 days a week 12 hours a day" response you should have asked for that up front.
contact the firm and ask for that enhanced service.(I will do that, but only on Very rare occasions)
It is not like I bother the guy much. May only need to talk to him 2-3 times on the whole project. Not exactly sure what he is making on the deal but I bet it is 15-20k. You would think he could find time to return a call. We are just unsure about some things and a single five minute call would suffice. I could understand if we were wearing him out calling all the time or always needing something something but it is not the case.
We have all had those clients that wear you out with dozens of calls and emails a week and I can understand putting them in check for your sanity.
I'm with those who say "put it in the contract." If it's important that you have access to the surveyor outside normal business hours, make it a contractual clause. Omitting that means it's not something he's obligated to deliver.
(And the whiny tone of your posts makes me thing there may be a good reason he doesn't answer your calls on the weekend.)
Over the last 30 years of Private (solo) Practice, I have been pretty much 'ON CALL' 24/7/365.
There was a period in the late 80s when I had projects spanning several continents (North America, Australia, Europe, Asia) simultaneously. It seemed like it was ALWAYS 8-5 'somewhere.'
Even "local" projects often involve clients/project contacts that may be half way around the world from the actual project.
A few years ago I got rid of my cellphone, which has helped a LOT. If I am in the office (24 hours a day, MOST days), then I answer the phone no matter what time it is. If I'm in the field (or Fishing, on holiday, or just having beers with the Geezer Club), I return calls as soon as I get back in the office.
Email has become [by far] the most valuable communication method in my practice...
Loyal
Jim Frame, post: 337181, member: 10 wrote: I'm with those who say "put it in the contract." If it's important that you have access to the surveyor outside normal business hours, make it a contractual clause. Omitting that means it's not something he's obligated to deliver.
(And the whiny tone of your posts makes me thing there may be a good reason he doesn't answer your calls on the weekend.)
There is no contract. It is a small job. The only reason I am "whining" is I am contracted to do my work and I can't do it until I get clarification from him so his inability to take a five minute call is costing me thousands of dollars while we wait.
Loyal, post: 337182, member: 228 wrote: Email has become [by far] the most valuable communication method in my practice...
I'm with you there, for two reasons:
1. There's a written record of the communication. That helps all parties manage expectations.
2. I get to choose when to devote time to the matter. If it's a hot subject (my definition), I'll get to it right away, and that sometimes means nights and/or weekends. If it can wait, I'll prioritize accordingly.
Drilldo, post: 337179, member: 8604 wrote: It is not like I bother the guy much. May only need to talk to him 2-3 times on the whole project. Not exactly sure what he is making on the deal but I bet it is 15-20k. You would think he could find time to return a call. We are just unsure about some things and a single five minute call would suffice. I could understand if we were wearing him out calling all the time or always needing something something but it is not the case.
We have all had those clients that wear you out with dozens of calls and emails a week and I can understand putting them in check for your sanity.
I suggest you call him on Monday, a few minutes after 8. Explain your needs and desires.
for me "not like I bother the guy much" is probably way different than what it means to you... my down time is Precious.
good luck
Drilldo, post: 337184, member: 8604 wrote: The only reason I am "whining" is I am contracted to do my work and I can't do it until I get clarification from him
Perhaps you expected him to demand the insertion of a clause in his contract saying "I'll be available by phone 24/7 just in case the need arises"? Are you really pointing the finger in the right direction?
"There is no contract. It is a small job. The only reason I am "whining" is I am contracted to do my work and I can't do it until I get clarification from him so his inability to take a five minute call is costing me thousands of dollars while we wait."
somebody goofed. BIG
not important enough to scribble something down, "small job" but will cost "thousands" while he waits...
this is no adding up at all.
PS: the job was over your head at the get go and you did not hire competent help. damn, that sucks for everybody.
This isn't a "beat up on Drilldo" party, even if it sometimes seems that way. We've all been in situations that would have benefited from hindsight. I get that you wish things were different, but until the other surveyor chimes in and says "I'm just sitting around drinking beer and watching TV and am too lazy to answer the phone," I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he goes fishing every weekend and doesn't have cell service, or maybe he has elderly parents he has to attend to 24/7 on the weekends, or maybe his employer forbids after hours work. Maybe, maybe, maybe. But I keep going back to the contract thing -- if it's important, get it in writing. If it is and you didn't, welcome to the school of hard (and often expensive) knocks. (I'm an alumnus.)
I apologize, I did not intend to beat up Drilldo.
Peter Ehlert, post: 337192, member: 60 wrote: I apologize, I did not intend to beat up Drilldo.
I was mostly referring to my own remarks, I realized they were subject to a harsh interpretation. You just added frosting to the cake. 🙂
I'm not in for any 24/7/365 projects any more. No one is going to pay me enough to do that.
The thing is, when you sign up on a project that is, you deal with the call, text or email without hesitation because that is your job.
The dude needs to be talked to face to face about the importance of him committing a few minutes of his time during the course of the present 24/7 situation. It's not like he has to show up on project, he simply needs to answer a few questions and go on with his day.
If he refuses to be a team player and simply wants to play his own game, send him down a dark tunnel by ignoring him all together and let some else join the team and fulfill his duties.
:gammon:
