One thing Nate said, and I agree with, is to not skimp on the GPS equipment. You wouldn't understand if you've never used an R10 or SP80, but there's a big difference in the current generation's hardware compared to just a few years ago. For example, the units Mark Silver sells outperform flagship offerings from just a generation previous. It might have something to do with all those newer SVs and signals...
I've never used a Javad, so I'll reserve any thoughts on them. I tried the new Leica unit only very briefly, but from what I saw it seems on par with the best (as you'd expect). I know one thing, though, newer GPS works well enough that evaluating and test-driving all of the available options is one of the most important decisions you'll make.
This could vary wildly based on where you work as well as what type of work you do. A title surveyor in NJ could get by with a metal detector, shovel, tape, total station, prism pole, tripod and data collector. There is no need for any of that stuff to be on any sort of datum that would require GPS.
SOLO Rural Boundary & Lot Surveying Business
Used front wheel drive van - $2500
5 x 8 Utility Trailer - $ 500
Used 250 Bear Tracker - $1000 (toughest atv ever, can pick up off of you (when) if it flips)
6 used Static units & proc
software - $ 3400
Schoenstedt - $600
Fixed ht poles - $ 1000
Used reflectorless TS - $2500
Used tablet w/ software - $1000
One year of cash reserves
misc, rent, tele, utilties,
fuel, ins - $ 7500 (REALLY!)
TOTAL = $20,000
Optional RTK setup = getting cheaper every day!
35 year established PHONE NUMBER & 100,000 point+ PLSS/SPC
network in home area........PRICELESS!!
I work maximum 4 days/week (sometimes less) and gross $100,000/yr.
I turn away another $20k+ per yr.
Operating expenses are less than $7500 annually.
99.9% account receivables are 30 days or less.
I am looking for someone to assist me or buy this business outright!
I only get to fish 3-4 days/week right now!
Positive cash flow Income producing office space is also available!
CHICKASAW, post: 449255, member: 12007 wrote: SOLO Rural Boundary & Lot Surveying Business
Used front wheel drive van - $2500
5 x 8 Utility Trailer - $ 500
Used 250 Bear Tracker - $1000 (toughest atv ever, can pick up off of you (when) if it flips)
6 used Static units & proc
software - $ 3400
Schoenstedt - $600
Fixed ht poles - $ 1000
Used reflectorless TS - $2500
Used tablet w/ software - $1000
One year of cash reserves
misc, rent, tele, utilties,
fuel, ins - $ 7500 (REALLY!)TOTAL = $20,000
Optional RTK setup = getting cheaper every day!
35 year established PHONE NUMBER & 100,000 point+ PLSS/SPC
network in home area........PRICELESS!!
I work maximum 4 days/week (sometimes less) and gross $100,000/yr.
I turn away another $20k+ per yr.
Operating expenses are less than $7500 annually.
99.9% account receivables are 30 days or less.
I am looking for someone to assist me or buy this business outright!
I only get to fish 3-4 days/week right now!Positive cash flow Income producing office space is also available!
Sounds nice. I should go west. If I grossed $100k in the Northeast my family would starve to death...
I also haven't had to lock my house doors since I moved here in 1975...and I leave my keys in the vehicles!
CHICKASAW, post: 449255, member: 12007 wrote: I work maximum 4 days/week (sometimes less) and gross $100,000/yr.
I turn away another $20k+ per yr.
This statement is somewhat at odds with your posting of August 23, 2016. So you have had a good year. But only one. We've all had a good year. I hope it continues for you. Being able to buy an existing 35 yr. business for the price of some used equipment is an advantage most of us don't have.
I started my business in 2011 with a $500 computer, $1500 Cad software, $2500 used Topcon, $150 metal locator from eBay, a field book, and everything else I scavenged...(I traded a set of golf clubs for a prism pole once), definitely did some dumpster diving while working a previous employers when they upgraded (tripods and tapes, etc).
Maps went to local print office... every job I picked up a good portion of the profit went back into equipment (all of it sometimes).
It worked and I was HUNGRY...looking back now, motivation made up for what I lacked in equipment.
Mark Mayer, post: 449275, member: 424 wrote: This statement is somewhat at odds with your posting of August 23, 2016. So you have had a good year. But only one. We've all had a good year. I hope it continues for you. Being able to buy an existing 35 yr. business for the price of some used equipment is an advantage most of us don't have.
oops, I'm busted!,,,Sorry, business picked up...100 k in 2016 and 2017 will be same. Not bad for part time!
When I worked more, I actually grossed 170K - 230K for a stretch prior to 2008.
I realized life is too short...Oh, did I mention I've been in (own) business for 35 years. Enough is enough <(((()))<....time to go fishing!
I guess misery loves company.
lakehouse21, post: 449288, member: 2751 wrote: motivation made up for what I lacked in equipment
No amount of motivation, is a substitute for modern GPS gear.
(i grew up dragging 200' tape, w plumb bob. And a 1923 Lietz transit)
CHICKASAW, post: 449382, member: 12007 wrote: oops, I'm busted!,,,Sorry, business picked up...100 k in 2016 and 2017 will be same. Not bad for part time!
When I worked more, I actually grossed 170K - 230K for a stretch prior to 2008.I realized life is too short...Oh, did I mention I've been in (own) business for 35 years. Enough is enough <(((()))<....time to go fishing!
I guess misery loves company.
I thought you just bought this company last year? Had you run a different one before that?
Yes, the first year was rough. But I jumped in and new what I was signing up for. Cant ever be afraid to fail. The extra taxes, insurance, and eventually the employee benefits will eat you alive. Wasn't expecting the government to double tax payroll, pay for workers comp even if you don't use it, etc. Etc. But being almost three years in now, I'm happy with what we have. Wish I could give more to my employees instead of Uncle Sam, but that's what it is.
Jace313, post: 449971, member: 12461 wrote: Wasn't expecting the government to double tax payroll
In what way was your payroll double-taxed?
Hmmm... outfitting a survey business...
Assuming it was my own business- first things first- getting my LICENSE. Then once I am MINIMALLY QUALIFIED to practice land surveying in my state, I'd get:
- since I would probably run solo, I'd get a good, reliable utility vehicle of some sort after thorough research;
- insurance of assorted kinds for the business;
- some sort of catchy name for it;
- a robotic TS and of course some GPS equipment. Since I've used Leica for so many years, I would very likely continue to do so in spite of their cost and idiosyncrasies;
- various accessories for convenience and efficiency, others in this thread have already brought up;
- a course or several on small business management. Since I've worked in the public sector for SO many years now, there is much that I would need to learn and re-train myself to do. Learning to minimize costs versus maximizing costs, being an example if perhaps a sarcastic one.
But of course,
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.
THIS.
Dan Patterson, post: 449254, member: 1179 wrote: This could vary wildly based on where you work as well as what type of work you do.
This.
I'm writing a proposal right now where the builder wants "the minimum to pull a permit" for a single family home For the county the lot is in i'm looking at $2,500 worth of field survey and $15,000 - $18,000 worth of site plans, septic design, natural resources inventory, tree save plans, single lot storm water management plan, sediment control & erosion plan, permitting, etc....
So a nice conformable chair and civil design software are part of the outfitting cost for this type of work
