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L1 GPS and making money
I’ve been forced into retirement because of the economy, a divorce, heart problems, diabetes and broken bones in my left foot.
I haven’t surveyed for over 2 years now and I’m awaiting a foot operation that will further sideline me for a few more months and hopefully will allow me much more mobility afterward(I become a walking “lame”, from time to time).
I’m finding myself interested in delving into surveying … but only on an employee basis. I’m actually going to relinquish my license in December … so … I’ll be a sort of “nobody”.
Part time or temporary is all I’m interested in, but I come with 35 years experience from sliderules to computers and canyon tapes to total stations and GPS(RTK & static).
Any thoughts on how “unreal”, it would be for a 63 year old retired, “non”-surveyor to work in the business part time, temporary or as-needed, and potentially really cheap(just SS & PERS supplemention)?
I fear that the succession of the button-pushing type surveying makes 35 years of skill almost insignificant.
Am I right … any thoughts?
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11 Replies
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> Any thoughts on how “unreal”, it would be for a 63 year old retired, “non”-surveyor to work in the business part time, temporary or as-needed, and potentially really cheap(just SS & PERS supplemention)?
Probably very realistic if your skills are up to date, you are flexible about availability, and your health allows it. Who wouldn’t want somebody they can call in when workload is heavy and let go when it’s slack?You may have to do it as a subcontractor rather than employee/employer basis to avoid really complicating the employers unemployment insurance situation.
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> I fear that the succession of the button-pushing type surveying makes 35 years of skill almost insignificant.
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> Am I right … any thoughts?No. When I was at a larger company and the economy was booming, we hired a guy who had retired and sold his part of the largest survey company in this part of the state. After 5 years in Florida he wanted something to do and came to us. He did not know how to use the newer equipment or even a computer. What he had was 30 years of people he knew. He went out and talked to his old developers, builders and realtor friends that he knew and brought them to us. He would also take the larger projects to the local government agencies for approval, because they all knew and liked him. We payed him a percentage of projects.
Do not know if this is you, but there is still much more to the surveying business than pushing buttons.
Best of luck to you. -
John, As one who has been “retired for the last 5 years plus”, I say go for it!
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I fear that the succession of the button-pushing type surveying makes 35 years of skill almost insignificant.
Nah. There is a demand for old geezers who still understand the belt and suspenders approach to quality control. I’m 65 and that is what I do part time.
I would suggest that you keep your license active.
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John
Folks would be lucky to have you, except for the shift key and the number keys on the keyboard. You may want to mention that ahead of time that you will provide your own keyboard. Other than that, you’re golden dude. 🙂
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“I would suggest that you keep your license active.”
Agreed!
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I Assume You Mean You Still Have Your ProMark 2s
Your best bet is to work with others, especially RTK guys on survey control. You may have to sell them that on short distances L1 only solutions can be better than L1/L2. You would want to upgrade to the latest version of GNSS Solutions so you can take advantage of the VRS option.
Not quite surveying but using your skill sets is do GIS positioning for small utilities and small towns. Not sure if a license is required for GIS in Ohio.
It is probably a good idea to keep your license current, because GIS looks like surveying and why encourage a complaint.
If someone is willing to W2 you, set up a separate account to rent your equipment to them.
Paul in PA
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Don’t want to seem this harsh, and I really don’t mean it to be:
Why on earth would you allow your license to lapse? Seems very short sighted.
Don’t know what it costs to keep your PA license or revive it but where I’m from you can go “in-active” and for the normal renewal rate plus continuing ed. start again. Letting it lapse is much more difficult to overcome.
Steve
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Don’t give your license up. Go out and get the work and contract out what you don’t want to do like some of the field work or drafting.
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I think that many firms would be glad to have someone with your abilities on call.
Oilfield work in ND is now drawing off a good many surveyors from Minnesota. With the shale gas activity in your area, the same thing is probably happening or about to happen there, meaning good prospects for temporary or part-time work.
I’m in a similar situation, having been involuntarily “retired” since ’07. I do keep my licenses active, and have never regretted the time and money spent on doing that.
Licensure is a good credential for short-term work. You don’t have to spend much time explaining what you know and how you know it. If you want to, you can also pick up residential lot surveys and other small jobs that don’t require much equipment. Of course there isn’t much money involved, but there is some. I turn down more of that work than I accept but have generally been able to cover my continuing-ed expenses, as well as getting to solve some interesting boundary problems.
You might be concerned about continuing ed, and perhaps have a deadline coming up. It looks as though Ohio offers medical waivers if needed. Continuing-ed seminars are a good place to meet surveyors who might need temporary or part-time help.
I have a one-person S corporation for survey and consulting work. There is some extra paperwork to that but not much expense. Taxes work out better, and firms that are looking for part-time or temporary help sometimes prefer to make the checks out to a corporation.
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@#*%$
Was on BOR site, John is marked as “FAILED TO RENEW”.
I for one will miss, his comments!
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