What questions would you suggest that others, novice or not, ask when choosing a Surveyor or Surveying Firm. Such as something that will distinguish the quality of the service, rather than just the fee.
How long have you been in business?
Do you have workman's compensation and professional liability insurance?
Those are the first two questions I ask when hiring any "service".
Have a great Sunday! B-)
When I sold my Mothers house, I wanted the cheapest surveyor that had a license. When I buy a house or land, I will want to know about how long you have been in business and if you meet my insurance requirements. It all depends if you are buying or selling.
There's damn little that will make a customer throw his checkbook to the wind. The only thing I can think of is, "Do they have any pretty girls?"
One of the disadvantages of a license is the assumption of competence and compliance with laws. From that point on, most people are just shopping prices on what they consider to be a parity product.
Dave
How much work have you done previously that will help you do my job? In my immediate neighborhood?
Education
How about "What is your policy on continuing education?". How they keep up on how the work is done reflects both on how they treat people and the bottom line profit.
I spent just shy of 32 years selecting surveyors and engineers for a variety of projects, large and small. While all of the suggestions above are important considerations in hiring a consultant, in my opinion there are no questions that can be asked of a prospective consultant that will enable you to determine whether one surveyor is more qualified than another, if that is what you are trying to do. However, it has been my experience that quality is a function of the ratio of registered surveyors to total employees in the company (or survey department in the case of an engineering consultant) and the degree of participation by the certifying surveyor with all phases of the work. Therefore, the best questions are those that would enable you to make such determinations. But, while an objective comparison can readily be made of the ratio between consultants, comparing the degree of involvement is rather subjective.
You could ask for a sample drawing of a representative project, and perhaps get a feel for the quality. But, even a bad survey could appear to be otherwise.
You could ask for references. But, then you might have to rely on the opinion of someone that you do not know. In this regard, you would be better off to ask for a recommendation from someone you trust.
You could ask for a list of the equipment/technical systems that would be brought to bear on the project. But, just because they have the latest bells and whistles doesn’t mean they are being put to good use.
You could ask whether they are a member/officer of a professional society. But, active participation in a society is more nearly a sign of politics than it is quality. And,
You could ask about their formal education. But, if you do, keep in mind that attorneys are educated.
Leastwise, that is how I see it.
Sadly, the questions that should be asked these days are more along the line of:
"Do you regularly drug test your employees? Can I see the last test results?"
"Do you pay your employees a living wage? Can I see payroll report?"
"How often, if ever, will a licensed surveyor be on my project?"
Etc....
Are you an "expert measuring deed staker" or a "fenceline surveyor" or something else?
How much time do you expect to spend on various kinds of research for my job?
After spending a few years rounding up local surveyors for our engineers I started asking "do you do this for yourself full time are is this just to supplement your regular job". Needing to ask questions and never being able to get ahold of them except at lunch was holding things up. That and in the later/earlier months of the year with short day light hours always having to wait till the weekend to get the additional pickup data would tick me off. Just because they have a company name and are insured doesn't mean they can re-act in a timely manor. If I needed additional info because I forgot to inform them, it's on me and I get it when I get it and I'll pay for it. When it's because you just blew the assignment, I want it as soon as possible and we're not going to re-negotiate. I'll never forget the guy who started crying that his kids birthday party this weekend and he could have the extra shots to me in two weeks. I wasn't calling him because I liked talking to him, he just changed the topo requirements on his own. The contract specifically called for a grid every 25' but he decided every 50' was good enough. The ground was flat, I didn't care but the engineers where having a crap fit. So if I had to hear it, he got to enjoy it. Never again, after putting up with that enough I started asking the question, didn't take care of the missing data but did take care of the long delays.
Are you a Beerlegger??????????????????
:good: > Are you a Beerlegger??????????????????
Will you give me digital data? If so, what formats are available? Who will hold the copyright on the plat?
Depends on the Task
Beyond the general how long in business, insurance, etc., questions, an informed client should ask about experience relevant to the particular type of project being considered, familiarity with the conditions (i.e. survey & title history of a particular area where a boundary survey is contemplated), familiarity with applicable laws, familiarity with applicable state & local regulations, relationships with members of other professions that might be needed in the course of the project....
