I never let my client define our standards. Our standards are based on the Minimum State Standards. They differ only in that over the years we have found the minimum to be lacking in some areas. My client's wishes are moot. When I stamp that plan I am confirming that we met the State Standards not my client's. Once that plan is filed the world be relying on it.
Hack, post: 446297, member: 708 wrote: Our standards are based on the Minimum State Standards...over the years we have found the minimum to be lacking in some areas... I am confirming that we met the State Standards ...
Necessarily these discussions are based on assumptions and inferences. I would not allow the client's wishes to dictate standards that are below minimum technical standards for my State. However, as you have said, in some areas State minimum standards are lacking, so there are standards the exceed minimum technical standards from the State that you operate under. I suspect this is true for all of us. For example, I started my business using aluminum ID caps because I think they are nicer than plastic. It's my personal standard, not the standard of my State. If a project came up and my client wanted me to use plastic instead of aluminum to save money, I'd consider it. I wouldn't be violating any standard but my own, and that is more of a guideline than a standard.
There is a very wide span between MTS and personal standards. There are different projects and different project needs. There is nothing wrong with applying different standards to those different needs provided that those standards exceed MTS.
How far do you go? If you've ever not gone far enough and been called on it, you will no doubt go farther next time and probably every other time. I try to go a little farther than the last guy and hope I go farther than the next guy will.
Easy...you go as far as it takes to get it RIGHT (and probably another parsec or two just to be sure)!
Loyal
From a customer's point of view, I can envision a tense situation:
Surveyor: I estimate the survey will cost around $1200, and I'll require a $300 deposit.
Customer: Fine, I'm putting the check in the mail.
... a week later ...
Surveyor: It turns out to be a lot more complicated. I've put in $1200 worth of work, so at this point you owe $900. I estimate it will cost another $1000 before I have enough information to form an opinion and draw a plat. So your choices are to either authorize another $1000 in work, or pay me the $900 you own and get nothing.
