Do any seasoned surveyors have any advise for someone getn ready to go out on their own? I plan on keeping things very small for a while and only hiring one person, but this person is very knowledgable, which I think will be a huge benefit. I already have my own equipment, bought and paid for, but nothing fancy. Just a good 1" total station and ranger data collector. During my 22 years in surveying, I've seen good surveyors go under just because they didn't have good "business" skills .. I would prefer to be one that is successful!
I appreciate any and all advise!!!
Well....Make sure that more than one person has a key to the office 😉
Sorry, I read Bruce Small's thread right before I read this one.
I have no advice but there are certainly a number of good surveyors who have been running a successful business on this website; so I'ms sure some good advice will come through. (actually I think Bruce runs a small successful business with his wife)
> I've seen good surveyors go under just because they didn't have good "business" skills ..
That sums it up in a nutshell. If you can't think like a bean counter, you better make that your first priority - find one. They can help you develop your business model and hopefully help you stick to it. Chasing money is the worst part because what used to be 15 days is now 60 days.
Keep on top of tax laws, ever changing regulations, and make every county/city/agency employee in your area your best friend. As much of a PIA they can be, much better to have them as your ally.
You also need to develop a niche, perhaps even invent one you can exploit. Nowadays it seems FEMA is on steroids and the elevation certificate business is full speed ahead.
But after my 20+ yrs of self employment, it still is a fun project that both frustrates the heck out of you and makes you laugh & smile at the same time.
Best of luck
One thing that we have learned is to try not to be your own accountant. Gain the services of someone who will make sure payroll taxes are paid. Also make sure that this person will also make sure that the taxes on your company;s profits are paid quarterly so you will not have a hug tax return at the end of the year. I recently learned that in some states boundary surveys require sales tax. If you have anything that involves sales tax from your work... make sure these are paid on time and records are kept.
Just do not try to be an accountant. We are surveyors and people pay us for our professional skills. The same goes for accountants. Learn what is going on with the money flow and keep and close eye on it and ask questions. Concentrate on surveing and have someone else handle the accounting.
Also, do not under value your professional services. If other local surveyors are not charging enough for your business to be successful and the pricing cannot be improved then do not start a business.
You need to be a businessman that surveys. Surveyors that think they are businessmen almost always fail...
Make a system, from the beginning, that allows you to find your stuff fast. File cabinets, and in your computer, everything indexed by Section, Township, and Range, and Subdivision, Lot, and Block. Make it so you can open drawings, while on the phone, real fast.
N
> You need to be a businessman that surveys. Surveyors that think they are businessmen almost always fail...
No kidding Jim. What is that old adage.... "How you you make a million dollars surveying? Easy, just start out with two million" :-O
Prepare to diversify. Keep your options open, and bend to meet the market.
Not knowing your area (geographically or surveying expertise) it's hard to offer any real advice except remain flexible.
I like to do pre-design topo's, lidar ground truthing, and difficult boundary issues. I have, however, come to enjoy GPS static observations and providing networks for other surveyors.
Don't get stuck in one area and don't depend on one client.
Take one day at a time: work the business don’t let it work you.
Here are some good “free” online business classes:
Law and the Entrepreneur
https://www.coursera.org/course/law
Grow to Greatness: Smart Growth for Private Business, Part 1
https://www.coursera.org/course/growtogreatness
Grow to Greatness: Smart Growth for Private Business, Part II
https://www.coursera.org/course/GTG
Good Luck!
Keep within your skill-set.
Do not know what part of the country you are in, but having just a total station, a dc and a helper might get you some jobs, but it will limit your marketing.
If there is any way to get at least a base/rover RTK system, slightly used is ok, it would open up many more doors for you.
As said, get yourself a good accountant first and foremost, or you will regret it soon. (I am waving my hand in the air since I made that mistake).
A dependable vehicle is a must, if you even think you can get by without 4wd, there will a day coming soon that will just bite you bad.
Start small but start smart.
I am still trying to figure out the smart part after 15 years of being my own slave, oops,I mean boss.
Randy
Have a very trusted someone do the day-to-day books, and a CPA quarterly to make sure you have filed all of the forms, paid the appropriate taxes, and taken all of the deducations you can.
I emphasize the very trusted someone to handle the books. My wife, who is also my best friend and comfort in old age, handles the money for us. Otherwise I'd spend half my time worrying where the money was really going.
> Do any seasoned surveyors have any advise for someone getn ready to go out on their own?
Delay any purchases/rewards until just after you have made your quarterly payment to the taxman.
Mark (and others) have given sound advice.
Over the years I have known dozens of surveyors that attempted their own professional business venture. Probably better that 3/4 of them failed.
None of them failed due to lack of work or poor work delivery.
None of them failed due to lack of surveying knowledge or skills.
None of them failed due to charging too high fees.
Almost all of them failed because of a lack of knowledge of taxes and the IRS, particularly employee-employer tax contributions. I talked to an old acquaintance a few years ago that had his ears nailed back by the IRS back in the eighties. He had just gotten them paid off after almost twenty-five years.
Know your tax structure. Hire a professional.
'nuff said.
After over 20 years with my own business don't be afraid to fire a client who is a problem, is slow at paying or doesn't pay.
Look for good, quality clients, they are out there. Word of mouth is my best advertising and good clients tend to recommend me to others who are good clients.
Wasting time with a bad client is both unprofitable and takes time away from the good clients who are profitable.
Read "the emyth revisited: why most small businesses fail and what to do about it" by Gerber.
Learn how to say "NO" and stick with it. Precisely what it is that requires you to say "NO" will vary from day to day. Learn quickly to identify when it will be in your best interest to say "NO".
Ditto on getting a good book keeper. Not sure if you will be doing construction staking but if you are, show up on the job early on a daily basis, go the extra mile and stay late to finish the job, work the weekends to accommodate construction activities. I have been doing this now for 7 years, every new client is always amazed that a survey crew shows up before 8-9 in the morning. This kind of customer service has been the main reason I now have a handful of clients that use me exclusively for all their staking needs.
Good Luck!!!
Base your business on quality of service and not on price, it has worked well for me. Treat everyone that you meet on a professional basis like they are bringing you money. (I got that one from a client that I blew off at first meeting because I was too busy. Fortunately he gave me that axiom and another chance!) Keep your good clients happy.
First things first
I know this will come across the wrong way, but put forth a good, professional appearance. That starts with proper grammar and spelling.
You are looking for advice, not advise. Clients will notice these types of things.
I know I'm not perfect and I know that surveyors claim to be the world's worst spellers, but that needs to change.
First things first
That is good advice, Dave.
I'm clear down at the bottom here but I want to say that the telephone actually works both ways. If it isn't ringing enough, get on it and make someone else's phone ring.
It is not unprofessional to actually look for business.
With your experience, you already know your strengths in the business which you intend to enter. Marketing should not end with a listing in the yellow pages. I would actually avoid the yellow pages unless you are able to specifically solicit the types of work you seek.
I already know which types of clients are on my avoid list. When I made outgoing calls I automatically avoided business I did not want and targeted the types of business I did want. Be proactive and you will be in control.