I just received this unsolicitated email message. How should I respond?
Hello,
I am looking for a land surveyor to survey a residential property in Tustin. The neighbor has built a wall that I believe it is encroaching onto the property, but would like to make sure before I take any action. What is the best quote you can give me?
$1 milllllllllllllllllllllion dollars
" Thank you for your interest in our sevices. Without knowing the address of the property in question, my hourly crew rates are $xxx and my Licensed Surveyor rates are $xxx. Additional fees are required for recordation and review. I would gladly give you a proposal for our services after I can fully determine the scope of the services you would require."
what is the address of the property? would be my first question. i don't mind giving estimates over the phone without seeing the property if i can get a good feel from it from google earth, we also have a lot of tax info and property records online so i can normally get pretty close on price without leaving my chair.
here is my favorite email from this week so far:
Good Morning,
Does your company conduct wireless surveys using AirMagnet? We are looking for a contractor to conduct surveys for WiFi in buildings.
Guess they saw "survey" in our name and thought we would be a good fit.
10¢ to hit it, and $5,000 to know where to hit it.
The difficult we can do cheap. The impossible costs a little bit more
My initial response would not include rates. It would include a request for about 15 things that a critical in developing any reasonable estimate of potential cost. Also, would point out how crucial this information is for any surveyor to actually do the job in a proper manner, especially in cases where potential conflicts have already been identified. Make the guy think a little as to the seriousness of what it is he/she wants you to do for his/her benefit. With a reminder that actual results may or may not agree with the opinion of either this fellow or his neighbor. If he then responds, you have a prayer of actually doing the job and getting paid. No response suggests he only cares about the lowest possible dollar that he probably will not pay unless the results are consistent with his desires.
Good reponse Digger, now if we could just get every surveyor in the country to read it......:good:
