Within the past two weeks I have talked with four other firms in the region. We all have more than we can handle and have been trying to pass work to each other. I don't need another job for at least six weeks. The others are pretty much all booked up about the same.
What part of the country are you working in? I work with people nationwide and have seen pockets around that have really picked up lately.
Seriously?
You saying that is like you putting salt on an open wound.
Thanks for that
I hear the same from folks near here...at least the ones that have their crew prices near $50/hour. I love those guys.
> I hear the same from folks near here...at least the ones that have their crew prices near $50/hour. I love those guys.
$50/hr survey crew --- or ---- $400/day
HHHhhmmm
Now, that's going no where fast
Really, $50/hr ?
Ken, I have to call Bull_Sh!_ on that one
If that really is the case
we're talking 1978 rates (Jimmy Carter era)
Barack Obama = Jimmy Carter
Hey, I know someone out east that charges $70/hour for a two man crew. They even have it on their website. $30/hr for a drafter. What's that? 1988 prices?
> Hey, I know someone out east that charges $70/hour for a two man crew. They even have it on their website. $30/hr for a drafter. What's that? 1988 prices?
$70/Hr vs $50/Hr is a 40% increase
You can thank Mr Ronald Wilson Reagan for that
Um yeah... Maybe back in 1988 it was...
April Fools day was a week ago wasn't it?
> April Fools day was a week ago wasn't it?
The day has come and gone, but the fools still remain.
:coffee:
I've only been in business for myself for about 2 years, but March was the busiest month I've had to date, by a long shot. I did over twice my monthly average in billing and 50% more than my previous best month, and had to turn away about 10 jobs.
I'm not sure why. It could have to do with banks trying dump more foreclosures or pushing more short-sales through. I don't know if it will keep up, but April is off to a good start so far. I'm always weary that business will slip back down, though.
Boy I sure hope that means I will be called back to work soon. I have had 5 jobs in 4 years and laid off from all of them because of not enough work. I have been low man on the totem pole each time. Anyone looking for and LSIT to help with all that extra work?
> I'm not sure why. It could have to do with banks trying dump more foreclosures or pushing more short-sales through.
The Fed has already started pulling liquidity out of the lending markets using reverse repos to start putting the brakes on QE2. They're probably going to have to raise the discount rate 1.5 - 2.0 point between June and the end of the year to control commodity inflation and prop up the dollar, so mortgages are likely as affordable now as they're going to be for the foreseeable future.
I woudn't b.s. anyone...not here. Heard it at the Surveyor's Conference here last month, and heard it from a established client that someone started bidding against me at those rates. So, no B.S.
I'm sorry, but I won't play that game of lowest bidder for those rates. I'll go push a damn wheel barrow around with a lot less liability.
As far as I know everyone has held their prices or added small increases to their rates. Current list for a single crew:
Five acres in country to give to son to build a new house
500+ cemetery lots
Build new fence along highway right-of-way
Buying acreage at edge of town for future subdivision
Build new fence around 40-acre hunting preserve
Build new fence for one-half mile along property line
Split 160 into 85 and 75 due to divorce
Three acres to build new home in country
Single town lot
Flood cert
Build new fence on 80 less 5 acres that was never surveyed
Buying acreage from grandpa to build new shop building
Land to be donated to animal rescue non-profit
Buying additional land
Another new fence for one-half mile along property line
Three town lots
Fraction of six town lots
Sell all but about three acres off 18-acre tract
Two under 10-acre tracts for same client in two different sections
Split 40 off 160 then mark potential corners for future sales
Mortgage title inspection of a rural tract
Finish condominium of a commercial building
Finish a new baseball field for high school
Set final lot corners on six block subdivision
Find/certify monuments on 10-year old survey
Subdivide 200 acres into 50 and 150 around three prior small tracts
I thought we where charging a good hourly rate for a 2 man survey crew but yesterday I had to call a locksmith to fix a broken door lock and one old man with a screw driver charged $140/hr.
> I had to call a locksmith to fix a broken door lock and one old man with a screw driver charged $140/hr.
Did you make the same face as the little girl in your avatar?;-)
Itemized locksmith invoice:
Screwdriver...$10
Knowing what to do with the screwdriver...$130
Boy, with crew rates like that i'd be embarrased to post my 2-man hourly rate!
> As far as I know everyone has held their prices or added small increases to their rates. Current list for a single crew:...
That's quite a list. What part of the US are you in? I should work part time for you...
