Hi all,
I have enjoyed following this forum for a long time. There is a lot to learn here, and it's entertaining as well. I was wondering if I could get some input from surveyors on drafting services. Have any of you ever used outside consultants to draft any of your surveys? I'm not trying solicit business here, just trying to see if you guys think this is a viable idea or not. I am from the USA and live here with my wife, but we are contemplating a move back to her home country. I don't speak the native language there and I would rather do something other than being an English teacher. My work and education experience have been in land surveying, civil engineering and GIS, and I would like to continue somehow working in this area with surveying being my preference. I have not personally worked at a company that has used outside drafters. I know most would probably rather keep it in-house, but is there any market for off-site consultants? I would provide a high quality product and customer service, and I would not be looking to turn it into a large operation. I wouldn't need to since my cost of living would be much lower than here in the States. Just thought I would see what some of you might think. Any insight would be much appreciated. Thanks.
I have only seen this work a couple times. In each case, the individual was a licensed surveyor with hotshot CAD/data analysis skills who moved away from the company home office. So he already had a years' long relationship with company staff and workflow, and basically "telecommuted". I think it would be a tough nut to crack unless you can leverage an existing relationship.
There is a company in Ohio that does a lot of ALTA surveys and mortgage location surveys that hires telecommuting draftsman. I don't remember all of the details but I think it was per plat pricing. If you're interested, email me and I'll give you their name. I have no idea if they're hiring right now or not as I have no affiliation with them.
If we're really busy we'll send a few out to a local Drafter. They have always done great work for us at a very reasonable price. It's only 3-5 times a year, but they have ~4 drafters on staff so I'm sure they get enough work from other places.
I, occasionally, will use a person that I used to work with that has "retired" an dabbles in a lot of enterprises including drafting on the side. But we had a long term professional relationship and she is used to what I need.
"But we had a long term professional relationship and she is used to what I need." AND she can draft too!!??:-O WINNER,WINNER,CHICKEN DINNER!! 😉
A Business Must Be Aware Of Unlicensed Subcontractors
Not just the possibility that an unsupervised drafter does no have a surveying license, but that said individual may more critically have no software licenses. It is much easier for BSA to go after a professional firm with a fixed office than a fly by night drafter.
Paul in PA
I would consider out-source drafting services, but not outside my immediate area. Certainly not out of country where I had no opportunity to see what is going on.
I've been doing it exclusively for the last 17 years, with 25 yrs. before that in the field. A lot of folks have downsized or are just starting up and need help when they have a surge in work without taking on full time staff. So to answer your question, yes there is a need, and it works for me and my clients.
Thanks for the feedback guys.
A Business Must Be Aware Of Unlicensed Subcontractors
> Not just the possibility that an unsupervised drafter does no have a surveying license, but that said individual may more critically have no software licenses. It is much easier for BSA to go after a professional firm with a fixed office than a fly by night drafter.
>
> Paul in PA
Paul, man, it's just drafting. I can assure you that in a lot of areas of the country, drafters are not more supervised whether they work at the office or from home. They do their work, the drawing is reviewed, changes are requested, changes are applied, drawing is reviewed. This cycle goes on until the stamp owner is happy, then the drawing is stamped and it gets out the door. That the drafter works two doors down or two states across does not make any difference. It all depends on how the ping pong communication is set.
As far as the licensing issue, well that's another topic. And again, I do not see why a "freelancer" would not have its current license if offering drafting services is what that person does. In fact, that person would be a lot easier to track...the services offered is drafting...next question...is the software you use licensed to you...yes it is.
These guys offering drafting services, they know what they are doing.
A land surveying company I interviewed with a few years ago outsourced basic drafting to India I believe. Supposedly works well for them. The surveying company enjoyed sending the data out at quitting time and having it back all drawn up the next morning. Cost was less expensive as well from what I was told.
A company I am aware of in PA (not a surveying company, but same principle) from what I've heard outsources at least some of their drawings to Australia.
> I would consider out-source drafting services, but not outside my immediate area. Certainly not out of country where I had no opportunity to see what is going on.
I had just the opposite thought... that if I were to outsource, I would WANT it to be someone far enough away to not be a competition risk. Say I use a local person, I have to send them my base cad files, field data, title blocks, etc. But I still do it all myself anyway. I do hate it though.
I think the trick is that standards would have to be established, documented, and followed. What is the surveyor going to hand over to the drafter and what is he going to get back? That may seems simple enough but it isn't.
> That may seems simple enough but it isn't.
Of course it isn't...A surveyor by nature is more of the opinion that the standards should follow him/her, not the other way around! 😀
Isn't why we got in this business in the first place?
Peter,
Do you mean you have been using a drafting service, or providing one??
Andy
Andy,
I see my response was a bit ambiguous. I've been a provider.
Peter