I wouldn't touch it because that is just the kind of client I avoid. I refuse to deal with people like that. Life is too short for that nonsense.
ps What you want to bet after you lower your fee by 10%, he goes back to the other surveyor and asks them to lower their fee below your lowered fee, and then...
> I don't think anyone was suggesting that the DGW file be used as the second surveyors' work product. Only that it be provided as a source of information about the site, including another land surveyor's opinion as to the retracement of the property lines.
Well, that's what makes the offer a little strange. If the intent of the offer of the electronic file isn't to encourage you to use some portion of the file in in some way, why not just give you a paper copy of the map? I don't think anybody would see a problem with that, and it would still make the work easier (as you've described), encouraging you to reduce your price.
The uneducated client somehow thinks a copy of the Project Plans as DWG will somehow make an ALTA Surveyor faster and cheaper.
The DWGs are useful for construction staking but not for ALTAs unless the project got built exactly like the plans which is rare. I've seen it once (a HUD senior housing apartment complex, every last concrete angle point was exactly like the plans, amazing) but it is a rare occurance. It is less headache to just shoot everything and draw it. With F2F the linework is pretty fast anyway.
> I wouldn't touch it because that is just the kind of client I avoid. I refuse to deal with people like that. Life is too short for that nonsense.
>
> ps What you want to bet after you lower your fee by 10%, he goes back to the other surveyor and asks them to lower their fee below your lowered fee, and then...
Oh yeah, expect them to play you twice if they attempt to play you once. The guy with the money got no ethics at all if it means more money out of someone else's pocket in his. Just exactly the type that will then play more games when the final payment comes due. Much better for you to let your competition play these games at their own peril.
At the first instant of such feces, I am inclined to tell the azzhat, "By the way, I did a bit more research and I have to bump my fee a bit, and I got a cash flow issue here so will need the full fee upfront prior to scheduling the work. If you can't trust me to produce, you shouldn't even be talking with me. Have a nice day and let me know if you want me to follow up with a contract."
IE, go bug the he!! out of any of my competitors dumb enough to deal with you.
I would probably lower my fee 10 percent to get the job, but it would have nothing to do with getting or not getting the dwg file as I would do the job the same way regardless. There is nothing unethical about negotiating fees.
It most definately is unethical to lower your fee AFTER you have been told of someone elses price proposal, bid or otherwise. That is exactly what is stated in this case. "Surveyor X is 10% lower than you. Will you meet the lower price??." No, not ethical. Specifically contrary to legislated Code of Conduct/Ethics, at least in WA and OR and many other states, and for good reason. If someone insists, I will look up the code and give you the specific language.
The Brooks bill was written to insure this would not happen. Select based upon competence only. Then discuss fees.
Can you get away with it?? WRONG QUESTION if ethics is being discussed.