I am looking for web article links for a basic explanation, in the simplest terms and examples, for my client that would emphasize why I should not, cannot, and will not "survey just what their deed says" ( in W.V.; not public land system). I have read many articles by Mr. Lucas and others on this subject; but being lazy, I want to give the client some links, and then say "read these, then we can talk...." Any suggestions?
Sorry I don't have any links, but personally I would just tell them "Because it would be improper and illegal." I understand your wanting to educate the client, but I guess I'm just not that patient sometimes.
When I encounter this issue I refer the potential client to the Board of Registration and standards of professional practice. That usually resolves the questions.
Dtp
> I want to give the client some links, and then say "read these, then we can talk...." Any suggestions?
My suggestion would be to not discount your client until he or she was "educated". That can be demeaning to some folks.
Take a chapter from the book that good family doctors utilize. Calm them, gain their trust and then work on specifics. I personally don't want to pay someone to tell me I'm not smart enough to understand a good answer. That's why they're seeking a professional in the first place.
As for the old "I only need one side surveyed.." routine; a simple "I can't do that" will suffice with a good explanation. I always ask them if they know how many properties I survey that have adjoining properties. The answer is ALL of them. I usually ask, "How can I certify that one side is correct unless I know where the other side is at?".
If the client is seeking someone that will allow them to direct the survey, tell them to call a landscape company, not a professional surveyor...then move on.
> I am looking for web article links for a basic explanation, in the simplest terms and examples, for my client that would emphasize why I should not, cannot, and will not "survey just what their deed says" ( in W.V.; not public land system). I have read many articles by Mr. Lucas and others on this subject; but being lazy, I want to give the client some links, and then say "read these, then we can talk...." Any suggestions?
"I can only survey what you own. Your deed description is only part of it"
and then just walk on by
It Is My Job To Locate Your Deed On The Ground And...
compare it to all adjacent deeds and resolve all the differences I can according to the rules of surveying. Adjacent deeds may have superior rights to your deed. Your deed may not even be favorable to you.
A deed is a record of facts as they existed at one time, a survey discloses much more available facts, past and present.
Paul in PA
My career would be so much easier if they had written all those deeds correctly. All measurements have error and there is a specific hierarchy to follow to resolve the boundaries. Sometimes this works in your favor and other times it does not. I will determine boundaries based on a sound logical method that if necessary will be accepted by the court.*
* The court may not agree with my determination, but they will at least understand the logic that I employed.
"I am licensed to retrace property lines where they exist on the ground. This procedure does not necessarily coincide with text written on paper".
sorry - no link.
ww co pls
- Have a nice day! Or, may your monument prevail over some guy's touchscreen.
Educating clients (and potential clients) is part of the cost of doing business. The art is knowing when to talk, when to listen and when to hang up...
Aloha, BSA:
As a non surveyor I benefited immensely when my PLS took his time to explain what he needs to do to retrace our parcels. He also explained the whys as well. Granted I learned a bit already from this forum at that time. But it made a huge difference when someone explains to you in person.
Couple of the simple explanations he gave goes something like this "We need to locate as many existing monument as possible. We also need to investigate neighboring parcels to verify our findings since most of your monuments are destroyed. Then we will analyze data gathered and apply approved and acceptable practices with our best judgement. He also said, I know it doesn't sound fair that we have to survey a portion the neighboring parcels, unfortunately we have to do it to make everything fit and also to make it is traceable by future surveyors"
I felt really good after our first meeting. We gave him a lot of business since then. I will only use him for all my survey needs no question! Also made referral to others as well.
It really impressed me when he sent me the preliminary drawing and asked if I have any questions before he finalize and stamp it.
Educate your client as much as possible. Of course then there are some that you can't educate. Use acceptable practices with your best judgement on those clients 😀
Aloha
My explanation to the client on that topic goes something like:
You can do that for your client inside his own boundaries.
Your license is a public license, not a private license.
While you are surveying one particular client's land, at the same time your duty is to locate the boundary to its original placement from his deed and all the adjoining deeds and other relative information available.
I have made surveys to make a location as per the client's claims for an exhibit map and all my quotes on the drawing clearly stated that purpose.
😉
Written specifically for Client education
"Understanding Land Surveys" by Stephen V. Estopinal, 3rd Edition, Wiley, ISBN 978-0-470-23058-9.
I read some of the posts, but I'm in lock step with Mr Cash.
I take the time to talk to them. Sometimes I even learn a bit more that I knew when I pulled up to the job site, and that's always a good thing. I tend to not disclose too much information on the phone until I know I at least have the job, but we can never ask too many questions. Questions lead to more questions.
Kind of like nobody wants an ignorant employee working for them. They must be informed, knowledgeable and interested. Most clients are no different.
Written specifically for Client education
A little more than the average client would want to know. Probably a useful resource for a land surveyor looking to develop a short talk for when those questions arise.
Thank you all, I appreciate all the comments. My next stop will be Mr. Estopinal's book.
What? You mean you guys have clients that don't already know more about surveying than you do?
(sorry...meant as humor. It looks like there is a good book out there, and I don't really have any advice on this topic. I was never good at explaining the complications of what we do).
