Business Poll

No
No
I don't know.

I can see why it would be good practice, though.

Forgot to post mine.

No.
Sometimes (depending on the project).
I don't know.

1/3 of the lump sum estimate to start
1/3 at completion of field work
1/3 upon delivery of final plans

of course every job is different but thats how it usually goes

Usually it's 1/2 up front and the other 1/2 on completion. It varies with job and client, such as a municipality will not pay a deposit, nor the State or Feds.

NO for most, subdivisions and partitions require payments at stages of completion.
NO
A few require upfront payments

I'm with Mr. Poole.

>
> Do you ask for payment up front? NO
>
> Do you ask for a retainer? NO
>
> Do any of your contemporaries (in your area) ask for the same? NO

the only exception is if i get a funny vibe from the would be client. i will ask for payment up front. most of the time i don't.

Yes (50%)
Yes (50%)
Yes (33%-50%)

and a signature on a letter authorizing the work. Exceptions include a (very) limited set of engineers and long term clients.

Rick

> Do you ask for payment up front?
>
> Do you ask for a retainer?
>
> Do any of your contemporaries (in your area) ask for the same?

For ongoing clients or commercial enterprises I do not. I do always get a signed contract.

For private property owners - the sort of client who will hire a surveyor once in a lifetime - I usually ask for a $1000 retainer. Typical cost for a Record of Survey around here will be on the order of $2500, plus recording fee. It has never been an impediment to getting the job.

I don't know how many others do that, I think not many.

NO

USUALLY

I THINK SO

I can't remember ever asking for full payment up front but I have had people write me the check for the full amount when I show up at the property and I don't refuse.

I usually ask for 1/3-1/2 retainer and then progress bill monthly with a not-to-exceed total fee or for a quick-turnaround job, balance upon completion. Utility companies and trusted repeat clients usually just pay upon completion unless it's a long drawn-out job; then I try to get progress payments.

In CA, State Law requires a written contract for surveying services with several exceptions to that rule.

Do you ask for payment up front?
Generally not, but a "final Survey" (completion survey of house or improvements) does not go outthe door until it's paid for.There are a few exceptions for regular, long term clients.

Do you ask for a retainer?
Almost always.....1/3 to 1/2, depending upon the scope of work and how much it takes to get the project going.

Do any of your contemporaries (in your area) ask for the same?
I'm guessing not, there's not a lot of talk about it. Although....everyone's always be etching about collectibles, so I guess maybe not.

ditto

1. Rarely

2. Almost always

3. Some do, but I don't know how many or how much.

1. Never
2. Never
3. Don't know, don't care.

1. 1/2 up front

2. 1/2 when plat is picked up.

I couldn't seem to get the keys to work a bit ago. Must be "Uncle Arthur" acting up.

> Do you ask for payment up front?

Only if there's a history or reasonable suspicion of collection difficulty.

> Do you ask for a retainer?

Sometimes.

> Do any of your contemporaries (in your area) ask for the same?

Probably, but I've never checked. (Nor do I feel a need to check.)

> Do you ask for payment up front? No, but I never turn it down.
>
> Do you ask for a retainer? No, larger projects get periodic billing.
>
> Do any of your contemporaries (in your area) ask for the same? Some do require either payment upfront or retainers.

I've been very fortunate in the past 10+ years and have had only a couple of collections issues and they were resolved favorably for me.

The first two depend on the client 100% of the time.

Recently, I got a job because another local wanted money up front (he doesn't normally do this and sent up red flags) but I wouldn't due to the fact I knew the title company very well.

I don't know nor do I care how my contemporaries are collecting their money.