How it goes... the surveying business spectrum.

There are a lot more than 5 surveyors practicing in my area -- they probably number in the dozens -- but my position in the ranks depends on the nature of the project, the client, and my workload.

I offer some niche services that most of the others aren't able to provide (e.g. large-scale subsidence monitoring, geodetic leveling) due to lack of expertise and equipment. These are costly to provide properly, and my fees reflect that.

There are some clients, mostly public agencies, that know from long experience that the lowest-cost surveyor can end up costing them a lot of money in the end. These clients will knowingly pay a significant premium for a surveyor who reliably delivers what they need. I charge them full fare.

I'm not able to compete for -- and don't want -- large construction staking jobs. I'll try for a small one only if I'm hungry. The last one I did was in 2010. (Exception: I did a really small one earlier this year as a favor to an existing client. I charged full fare, but it wasn't much.)

I'm working on a topo right now for less than my customary rates. I had a gap in my schedule, the job is for a long-time public agency client, and the job is across the street from my house. I felt an unusually strong territorial responsibility to get that project, so I knowingly submitted a pared-down fee proposal.

For mom-and-pop jobs like single-lot boundary surveys and residential elevation certificates, I probably get 1 out of every 10 jobs on which I propose. If I can't make charge-out, I don't want them, and most of the time either the client decides not to proceed or finds someone who charges less.

I'm in the middle. Some jobs are fast (I admit) but mostly because I alreasdy have control right there or I have every survey of every adjoiner (small lots)

But when I smell something funky or find something funky, I delve in and really dig down in the research. I get to the bottom of it as best I reasonably can. Even if it doesn't affect my parcel (or I think it doesnt) I still do if I am interested.

So these jobs take longer than I originally thought they would bc I like to be thorough.

But that being said, fast or slowed down, each pays the same. And that is "Not cheap"

I tell people 'getting bids' all the time... I don't 'bid'. I strive to be the best and give the best service, help and accessibility. I don't strive to be the cheapest. I also tell them if they want the cheapest I won't even give them a price, I'll just point them where they can get cheaper. And if I happen to be the cheapest, tell me, so I can raise my prices.

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A huge amount of my work comes from people who know me. They have no idea about my survey skills relative to anyone else, but it doesn't matter because they know me. Someone else might get it done faster or at a lower total cost. Maybe I'm the fastest and most reasonably priced. Again, it doesn't matter. They know me.

Ask any 5 surveyors, 90% will claim to be number 3 on your spectrum. No one will self identify as 1 (cheap/fast). A few will claim to be 5, but in reality are the true 3's.

Probably a #2, We make compromises for certain clients if pushed hard enough. For players we have no history with there is no compromising, we'll kindly send you information of a #3 (on your spectrum) surveyor to get a 'bid' from.

I kind of surprised that Professionals are ranking themselves...

Well, our clients sure do rank us. Via their values.

Probably a #2. The problem I see around my area is that the "fast and cheap" guys are doing a job that could easily get anybody around the area $1,000 but they want to do it for $400. This causes all sorts of headaches for us not because we don't get the work but because we get jobs next to work they did down the road and what they did was done as fast as they can without checking accuracy of work and we have to disregard most the work they did because it is no good. We also tend to find irons from those same companies but no recorded map. That is for another post I'm sure along with the practice of "yeah we can survey just a line for you" and "a map will be an extra cost of $xxx".

I'm most likely 2. Most of my work is for larger engineering firms or large commercial owners. I provide several niche services such as deformation monitoring, terrestrial LiDar and Hazmat work. Seldom will I go after a construction job, unless it is tied to prior work, and avoid private boundary work unless I can't get out of it because of client or family relationships. My prices are not the most expensive in the region but I would say I'm comparable engineering firms in the area. I would never consider doing something for less the $1000, it costs me at least a couple of hundred in potential revenue to do through research prior to proposing and then open the project.

The simplest boundary I can envision will cost you $800.

The only way it MIGHT be less is if I was there real recently...

... Nah, not even then. Gotta get some gravy every once in a while.

Steve

According to perspective clients in the area I reside, I'm the most expensive, and rarely get a project here.

For example, I recently quoted a small boundary survey at $4,000. The owner told me not only was I the highest, but the next highest was $1,000 less than my proposal.

However, I cross the state line and quote the same fees and I'm in the 3-4 category......

Nate The Surveyor, post: 426068, member: 291 wrote: Small rural area. 5 surveyors, generally work the area.
Of the 5 surveyors, one is super fast, and cheap. He has lots of business. He also does the poorest work.
Finally, super fast and cheap looses his PLS ticket.
Then the other 4 re arrange real fast. WHO is going to FILL the void, left by fast and cheap?

The relevant point is that if you are planning to compete with other surveyors on the basis of price, you've already lost and so has the supposed profession. The better question would be "Even though this is Arkansas, how can surveyors's fees be restructured not to result in the race to the bottom that a Walmart-based system of fixed-price fees produces?" If you said "fair prices based on actual time required", my congratulations.

I am not licensed yet), but have worked for firms at both end of the spectrum.

The ultra high end, top of the line firm had very generous deadlines and lots of resources available, but mistakes (even trivial ones that never left the office) were treated as major blunders.

The high volume, low price firm specialized in elevation certificates and simple lot staking surveys. Deadlines were tight and billable hours had to be carefully tracked (to the nearest 0.1 hour!), and I spent at least as much time fixing errors on previous jobs as I did completing new ones.

Both were stressful in their own ways, and I doubt I'd want to go back to either type. A good solid 3 (give or take) is probably the best place to be.