I recently obtained about 100 years worth of records from one of the most prominent survey companies in town (1900-1970). That company had obtained survey records of companies that had come before them. One item that came with it was this little gem.
When adding inflation to this these prices are still far too low. Considering the incredible quality of two of the surveyors I don't understand how they got ahead, but they did very well for themselves.
If they signed a document like that today, (don't know about 1913) they would be charged with "price fixing". 😎
http://business-law.freeadvice.com/business-law/trade_regulation/price_fixing.htm
I know that we would be hung today. I believe that for the time frame these were still very reasonable prices, possibly still low. The surveyors that signed this document did make up about 80% of the surveyors in the community at the time.
I think you mean "hanged"... Unless you are referring to a colloquialism which relates courage to certain physical traits...
When you consider people were making about $25 per day. They were doing better than most.
Thanks for posting this Jason - very interesting. ]I think I have some competitors that were undercutting these guys.. 😉
By today's standards, a surveyor can hardly discuss rates with another surveyor without breaking the law.
Just have a friend call the other surveyors to get a price...
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Googling shows that average wages in 1913 amounted to maybe $2 - $3/ day. Also, a 1913 surveyor would not have a large investment in equipment compared to today. Given that the prices look quite profitable to me.
Don't forget about their 1% federal income tax 🙂
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Jason Graves, post: 404345, member: 9531 wrote: I recently obtained about 100 years worth of records from one of the most prominent survey companies in town (1900-1970). That company had obtained survey records of companies that had come before them. One item that came with it was this little gem.
When adding inflation to this these prices are still far too low. Considering the incredible quality of two of the surveyors I don't understand how they got ahead, but they did very well for themselves.
Which company? It isn't Stone Street and Ford is it? Just need to keep track of those records so I know who to get in touch with when I need something of theirs.
mattsib79, post: 404535, member: 1138 wrote: Which company? It isn't Stone Street and Ford is it? Just need to keep track of those records so I know who to get in touch with when I need something of theirs.
Yes Matt. It is Stonestreet & Ford. I bought from HDR/Bruce about 6 months ago.
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Jason Graves, post: 404538, member: 9531 wrote: Yes Matt. It is Stonestreet & Ford. I bought from HDR/Bruce about 6 months ago.
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Congratulations! Those will be a huge benefit for your company.
Any idea of what you will charge for copies of field notes and such?
With those records came Merritt Drane's, King & Pitan, Frank King, Frank Ade, H.E. Rudy, and a from the early-mid 1800's and a few random engineers/surveyors that came in and gave them to Ben Ford when they retired.
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Mark Mayer, post: 404469, member: 424 wrote: Googling shows that average wages in 1913 amounted to maybe $2 - $3/ day. Also, a 1913 surveyor would not have a large investment in equipment compared to today. Given that the prices look quite profitable to me.
In the 1960's, working with my father, we did lot surveys for approx. $50.00 each.
I got paid (sometimes) $1.00/hr. and lunch.
In the late 1960's I was making $2.30/hr working for the Forest Service. Our per diem checks were bigger than our paychecks.
Mike Marks, post: 409395, member: 1108 wrote: In the late 1960's I was making $2.30/hr working for the Forest Service. Our per diem checks were bigger than our paychecks.
Been there, done that. That was the incentive that lured me to work in the Atchafalaya in August...green pictures of dead white guys.
My first wife was at home in a trailer with screaming babies receiving my regular hourly check. When she found out the per-diem check was almost twice the amount, she wanted to swap...actually I think she secretly wanted them both...and when she found out I had a company life insurance policy with double indemnity for accidental death or drowning, I think she secretly wished me and the gators to get together.
She got the trailer and the Pinto Station Wagon...
paden cash, post: 409402, member: 20 wrote:
She got the trailer and the Pinto Station Wagon...
Man I would do that deal in a minute. Even the price for divorce has gone way up.
Mike Marks, post: 409395, member: 1108 wrote: In the late 1960's I was making $2.30/hr working for the Forest Service. Our per diem checks were bigger than our paychecks.
That's when I was with the FS also, was getting about the same.
lmbrls, post: 409425, member: 6823 wrote: Man I would do that deal in a minute. Even the price for divorce has gone way up.
Yeah, I got mine cheap before inflation got a hold...;)