We are a small surveying firm in North Carolina trying to make a living at surveying. Here is a new challenge we met today. I spoke to a potential client about a boundary dispute he was having with his neighbor. After looking at the deeds and plats involved I called him back and gave him an estimate and explained the work involved.
He was shocked at the price and said that he talked to another surveyor and his price was half of our quote. I told him I understand how he feels and if we can be of assistance to call us. Here is my problem. The other surveyor he got a price from has been dead for almost twenty years. Now, with all the challenges we have as surveyors, we have zombie surveyors low-balling us on our prices. Any tips?
> Here is my problem. The other surveyor he got a price from has been dead for almost twenty years. Now, with all the challenges we have as surveyors, we have zombie surveyors low-balling us on our prices. Any tips?
LOL!!
I actually did bust a laugh at the above.
But, my take on it is:
#1: Either he's trying to play you like a cheap fiddle...
-or-
B: He recited the man's company that lives on, or someone that has his records and mis-stated himself?
Good luck.
Carl
I would assume the state board might be very interested in your zombie surveyors. I might even try to get them a phone number or some contact information.
Of course his estimate is lower than yours...his only overhead is air conditioning!
🙂
Loyal
> Of course his estimate is lower than yours...his only overhead is air conditioning!
>
> 🙂
> Loyal
Good one Loyal.
Larry P
Did he get the quote 20 years ago?
Did you ask him if he knows that surveyor has died?
I thought his only overhead would be dirt...lol
> Did he get the quote 20 years ago?
Around here the 20 year old quote might just be higher than the current going rate 🙁
Ain't that the sad truth!
sounds to me like
It sounds to me like you need to find out who is claiming to be a dead surveyor. what a great idea, using a dead surveyors license should relive some of the liability in a survey :rofl:
sounds to me like
There was a feller operating in our area a few years back, well maybe 10 or 15 now, that was using his dead brother's seal and doing surveys with it. His work was lousy besides being illegal, but the realtors liked his lowball figures.
> Ain't that the sad truth!
It's enough to make a man pack up and move north 😉
sounds to me like
i have worked with a woman (wetlands consultant) who was indicted for some fraud back in the day. she obtained a permit for a buildable lot, then used it on the unbuildable lot next door. then went back for a new permit for the first lot.
my stamps have to be in color for plans she submitted even when the standard is for B&W stamps.
someone asked me if i was nervous giving her plans with my stamp on them. i said heck no, if she steals it and gets caught, i can then blame any mistake on her.
Dear Pin, old buddy, old pal
Thanks for the laugh.....relive.......perhaps you meant "relieve".
If I were 20 years younger I'd give serious consideration to doing the same thing. I wish you the best of luck!
Dear Pin, old buddy, old pal
Darn he had to find a dead surveyor to get a price lower than yours , time to raise your prices .:-D
Dear Pin, old buddy, old pal
Well I'm all for making more money. At least we are twice as high as the dead guy. I really think we could have said we woud do a full alta survey and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt his neighbor is encroaching for $50 and the customer would say he had someone who would do it for $25 if he paid in cash. Those are not the clients that I lay awake hoping they will call back.