This certain surveyor (who I know from reputation only) called me today to express his concern about a survey that I conducted a couple years ago. He said that he had to track down my survey plat from the property owner, as he could not find it on the city web site (which seemed to have irritated him). He thinks that my breakdown of a city block was less than satisfactory and that the monuments that I set were less than permanent. He says that my survey was sub-standard and he just wanted to let me know, as he was setting corners that were 0.28' from my points.
I just listened to him rant and I ended the conversation with 'you gotta do what you gotta do'
I think that just pi$$ed him off even more than the issues that he called to rant about.
go figure
Ha, In my neck of the woods we laugh at .28 and go have a nice lunch somewhere.
> This certain surveyor (who I know from reputation only) called me today to express his concern about a survey that I conducted a couple years ago. He said that he had to track down my survey plat from the property owner, as he could not find it on the city web site (which seemed to have irritated him). He thinks that my breakdown of a city block was less than satisfactory and that the monuments that I set were less than permanent. He says that my survey was sub-standard and he just wanted to let me know, as he was setting corners that were 0.28' from my points.
Well, this is a teachable moment, isn't it? There are three questions, namely:
1) Were you obligated to record your plat with the city in question?
2) Was there anything problematic about the method you used in constructing the block in question?
3) Were the boundary monuments you set significantly less permanent than might otherwise be done?
If the answer to any of the above is "yes", then hasn't the other surveyor done you a favor - if one that may be uncomfortable to receive - by bringing the matter to your attention so that you may modify your practices in the future?
[sarcasm]If he's that sure about it I'd say he might as well rip mine out and put his in. After all mine and his are probably uncalled for markers with regards to the original conveyance, so what the heck, go far it. Next surveyor can stake it out and send his to the trash pile. Pay it forward!
What's a landowner to do? Best thing is to keep all surveyors off the property.[/sarcasm]
I'd agree with Kent that you should at least consider that you may have made an error.
Years ago, we considered it a favor. Our small surveying community was pretty tight knit and a call like that really would have been appreciated. We sat and discussed the issue and came up with resolve. Sure, maybe someone had a bit of egg on the face, but law suits didn't come into play.
This happened to me not long ago. We compared notes and found that he did not do as much boundary work as I had done in the area. He was mumbling when he walked away, and then of course wanted a copy of my worksheet and point file. That did not happen.
A teaching experience for my colleague
agree with Kent, I would consider his points and then call him for lunch.
> agree with Kent, I would consider his points and then call him for lunch.
I'm not calling the guy for lunch.
This dude calls me, rants up and down - to what end, so I can take him to lunch? I've way to much to do than to listen to this clown rant about his greater than thou surveying abilities. Give me an efn' break.
I agree with Kent. Do any of his claims have merit? If the answer is no, them meet with him and tell him why you did what you did. Defend your survey before we end up with another pin cushion in the world.
Yeah, he may be a clown, an idiot, etc. but its your job to tell him why in a nice way.
It appears that you have encountered a "little guy". Those are the ones who spend their entire lives trying to drag others down to their level or below so that they can feel superior somehow. They are right. Other people are never right.
Give me his address and I'll send my "little guy" extermination crew to his house with a bucket and a sack of quikcrete to facilitate his permanent arrival at the bottom of a nearby body of water.
Have been called out by another dog that was basically barking at an pissin on everything and saying there was a new dog in town.
There is a new dog around now that evidently does not agree with anyone before him, cause he is not taking time to even look for previous monuments and just sets his own or uses the fence corners and tree lines and splits the tire marks as evidence.
There's a right way to make that phone call and a bunch of wrong ways. There is also a right way to take that call. If you can consider the concerns raised and honestly say they are without merit, you should take some confidence in that. If not, and you find there is room for improvement, then improve and you can take some confidence in that.
I don't know you or your work nor the other guy or his work. You may have nothing to be concerned with and this guy may just be a prick. However for your consideration, there is a proverb that says "A rebuke impresses a man with discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool."
well, if the guy wasnt polite about it, then i would agree, however, sometimes we get overly defensive when things like this happen, I would meet to discuss and if I needed to tighten up, then so be it. I know I have made plenty of mistakes in my life. It sounds like enough of a problem where I would try and find out more.
I think if a measuring technician called me and told me my monument was off 0.28', I would have the same reaction!
Keith
On the project I’m working on right now, the value of a strip of land 0.28’ wide for the full depth of the property would be right around $162,000.
Would that be the whole globe? Or just the western hemisphere? 😛
I have dealt with that kind of call on the answering machine from a former county surveyor and it got my dander up at first too. I cooled down for a couple days before calling him back at which point he proceeded to call into question my practices and heritage. I hung up on him and haven't talked to him since.
Attitude and Answering for Maximum Effect
The way I answer the phone has evolved over the last 25 years.
Today, I strive for maximum effect from minimal effort.
FWIW, the first order of business for me has always been to nurture and maintain the best relationship possible with ALL local professionals...even when I know I'm "right". 😉
> On the project I’m working on right now, the value of a strip of land 0.28’ wide for the full depth of the property would be right around $162,000.
[sarcasm]It takes a "surveyor" to give away that $162,000 0.28' wide strip... [/sarcasm]
I think I'd survey that 0.28' as a "technician" and take my chances. 😉
Attitude ???
There was no 'attitude' with me when talking to this JackLeg
I just sat there a listened to him rant and then said 'you have to do what yo have to do'
Like I said earlier, I know this dude and I've seen his work.
All his fancy equipment and expensive toys, trucks other doodads.
Give me a 20" Lietz Gun with a top mounted EDMI and a HP-41 and steel chain
- I'll survey circles around this clown all day every day
Attitude ???
I would never in a million years go to another surveyor and start ranting and raving about how they did everything wrong. Talk about setting yourself up to have real egg on your face.....
I can see Kent telling you to step back and figure out what you did wrong, but I sure can't picture Kent getting all introspective and asking some wild maniac to show him what he did wrong. At best he might react calmly with a bit more cynical comment to the guy that was ranting. "Sit down and maybe we can figure out what you went wrong." or something to that effect.
Whenever I have approached someone whose survey I disagree with, I call them up and say that I found some of their pins and can't figure out how they got there and offer to show them my results so we can both figure it out together. How on earth does this guy think he is going to "educate" you with ranting and raving anyway.
