Let's play "outfit a survey business".

What's required to outfit a 'survey outfit' has changed over the years. My first endeavor in about 1980 was a year old using an old K&E before I bought my first "brand new" transit; a Leitz BT-20 (which I still own).

My suggestion nowadays for a start-up outfit would be to keep expenses low and purchase used equipment for cash until your business and cash flow could be mapped and projected accurately. Put your up-front money in good software and hardware for the office.

Don't invest large sums in equipment until you're sure you can make money with it. $1200 or $1500 a month note payments can cripple a start-up business if that equipment is sitting on the floor next to your chair.

And my secret of success; don't spend it unless you've got it in the bank. "Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash..." 😉

It really depends on what your business model is. The appropriate tool kit for doing rural boundaries is different than that for doing building construction layout, for example.

Mark Mayer, post: 448917, member: 424 wrote: It really depends on what your business model is. The appropriate tool kit for doing rural boundaries is different than that for doing building construction layout, for example.

Mark is spot on!

There are so many entirely DIFFERENT types of Survey Business "scenarios," that there is little commonality between the actual equipment needs between them.

Loyal

Mark, you are so right.

Ok, construction staking.

Boundary surveys.

ALTA's, and such.

Mineral Surveys.

Route Surveying. (hwy corridors)

What else?

Loyal, post: 448918, member: 228 wrote:
There are so many entirely DIFFERENT types of Survey Business "scenarios," that there is little commonality between the actual equipment needs between them.

Not sure that I agree here.

Sure the small stuff may differ, but the big ticket items are the same.

Aren't you going to need...

A vehicle

A total station & data collector

Processing and CAD software with hardware to run it

And maybe a GPS setup

In all cases?

jim.cox, post: 448922, member: 93 wrote: Not sure that I agree here.

Sure the small stuff may differ, but the big ticket items are the same.

Aren't you going to need...

A vehicle

A total station & data collector

Processing and CAD software with hardware to run it

And maybe a GPS setup

In all cases?

Generally speaking...maybe.

But what type of vehicle? 4x4 truck w/ ATV & Trailer, or a $1000 used van?
A Total Station? Maybe, but I spent several decades working out in the desert, and only got my Total Station out ONCE (for about ?« an Hour).
Processing and CAD software with hardware to run it? Yupper yupper, but that also depends on the type of work one does, and who you do it for.
And maybe a GPS setup? Well that's a 100% YES for my type of work, but a 10-15 year old GPS Only RTK/Static system would work for much of the work, and some folks (as you suggest), might not need/want one at all. Others need high end GNSS (as "we" have found out the last couple of years).

So, I guess that IT DEPENDS.
🙂
Loyal

Accident surveys.

In an established metropolitan area with lots of record surveys and modern subdivisions one might not need much in the way of high-dollar investments to get started. Your survey chariot could be a bicycle with a two-wheel trailer behind it.

Boundary surveying:

4x4 truck
4 wheeler
GPS system
Pole
Tripod
Pole bipod
Computer with AutoCAD
Tape measure (hand held pocket tape)
Metal detector
SHOVEL
Used total station
Field book

What amazes me is how inexpensive outfitting a survey office can be now compared to a couple of decades ago. I used to "play-like" with the Allen Precision catalog just what it would cost to outfit a single crew survey company. I recall $75-100k was on the low end buying all new. Pretty sure you can do it for 1/2 that today with much more capable equipment and software.

Shawn Billings, post: 448929, member: 6521 wrote: What amazes me is how inexpensive outfitting a survey office can be now compared to a couple of decades ago. I used to "play-like" with the Allen Precision catalog just what it would cost to outfit a single crew survey company. I recall $75-100k was on the low end buying all new. Pretty sure you can do it for 1/2 that today with much more capable equipment and software.

This

Back in 2009 I bought a demo Sokkia robot, Carson data collector, Carlson field & office software & assorted tripods, rods, etc. for 2/3 of what the company I was working for twenty years earlier payed for their first total station.

Holy Cow, post: 448927, member: 50 wrote: Your survey chariot could be a bicycle with a two-wheel trailer behind it.

I do a lot of work on the local college campus, where parking near and moving a truck around the job site is often impractical. I usually work all day out of a http://www.tipkemfg.com/foldit/&apos ;">Foldit cart in those instances.

James Fleming, post: 448930, member: 136 wrote: This

Back in 2009 I bought a demo Sokkia robot, Carson data collector, Carlson field & office software & assorted tripods, rods, etc. for 2/3 of what the company I was working for twenty years earlier payed for their first total station.

My guess is that these comparisons don't include adjustment for inflation either. I know that mine doesn't.

Shawn Billings, post: 448935, member: 6521 wrote: My guess is that these comparisons don't include adjustment for inflation either. I know that mine doesn't.

As I recall (which isn't very good sometimes), the HP-3820a cost about $36,000 back in 79 or 80 when it first came out! It was one hell of a step forward, but was REALLY pricey for the time. On the other hand, a NEW 4x4 Truck was a LOT Cheaper then than they are now.

Loyal

I seem to have $35,000 stuck in my head for a Set 3 in 1989. Instrument only.

About half that for a Set 2C in 1991.

The one big item I bought new when I started up this year was a Focus 35 robot. I put $3k down and my payments are $353 per month. I don't regret it at all and it's made me enough money since June to get me through to May, even if I don't get anymore work.

Gregg

Loyal, post: 448937, member: 228 wrote: As I recall (which isn't very good sometimes), the HP-3820a cost about $36,000 back in 79 or 80 when it first came out! It was one hell of a step forward, but was REALLY pricey for the time. On the other hand, a NEW 4x4 Truck was a LOT Cheaper then than they are now.

Loyal

That is so true, Loyal. I was thinking about that as I was recalling my days of day-dreaming. I figured a new $25k work truck would be about right in the mid-1990's. You'll have a hard time finding a new $25k work truck that would be suitable for surveying. A work truck is one of those things I feel okay about buying used, but to keep things fair between my mid-90's $75-100k setup, I'd have to figure a little more for a truck than I did back then.