ring ring email # 2

> Hi,
> We are purchasing two side by side lots (3819 &3817 West Avenue) in Metropolis SW city limits, and are looking for estimates to get the property lines located and corner stakes installed (little over an acre combined). I believe there are already steel corner pins underground in the area that will only require locating with metal detectors and no actual survey equipment should be needed. Lots are mostly open with some trees and brush but no clearing should be required either. I've attached some pictures to give you and idea of what it looks like.
>
> Thanks
> Mr. Badgett
>
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>
> Mr. Badgett,
> In N.C we are required to survey the Property , I cannot give you a price on what you are asking for . We are required to follow State law, when we survey property and have specific rules we must perform on each property survey. Please call me direct to discuss surveying the property .
>
> Thanks
>
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> Hey,
> OK, I'll bite. Can you give a rough estimate on a property survey?
> Thanks
> Mitchell
>
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> Nope

Are these lots in an area where you work, or have worked before? Are you somewhat familiar with the area?

I get a lot of phone calls that start with, "The property was surveyed twenty years ago and I think the corners are still marked..so I really don't need a survey.."

My stock reply is, "Then why did you call a surveyor? Doesn't your lawn guy have a shovel? "

> My stock reply is, "Then why did you call a surveyor? Doesn't your lawn guy have a shovel? "

I know it is tempting to tell people that. However, I tell them that if we do anything, it will be a full, complete survey as required by state regulations. Most of these people don't have any idea what we must do.

As for the original post, I think that there was enough information provided (if your local online GIS is any good) to give them an estimate for a complete survey. If they argue about it, try to briefly explain what's involved. If they don't like that, politely decline the project and forget about it.

> As for the original post, I think that there was enough information provided (if your local online GIS is any good) to give them an estimate for a complete survey. If they argue about it, try to briefly explain what's involved. If they don't like that, politely decline the project and forget about it.

Exactly, Steve. The thought is that if the work is in an area that you're familiar with, it should be possible to give an estimated cost for the survey, if perfect conditions exist.

Giving an estimated range of charges for the service should be something we can do, I would think.

my reply would be, ok that would be xxx dollars. I dont go into how I do my job or state regs, i just give them the cost to do the job right.

Mr. Badgett,
The cost to perform a survey can vary between $250 and $50,000. Where your project would fall within that range is dependent on many factors that you either have chosen not to mention or cannot provide. We can assist you in determining what needs to be done once we know as much of the critical information as possible. Please gather the following information and then contact us again.

Copy of current deed
Physical address
Owner name and all contact information
Copy of "old" survey and/or contact information for the surveyor and his client
etc.
etc.
etc.
etc.
etc.

> my reply would be, ok that would be xxx dollars. I dont go into how I do my job or state regs, i just give them the cost to do the job right.

Stating a cost of what it would cost to do the job right is indeterminate until all facts come to light, I would think. However, if it were a perfect world, you would have a fairly good idea what it would cost to do the job.

I've found it to be a fairly good practice of giving a perfect world estimate, simply as a jumping off point, to survey smallish type jobs, such as the one the original poster listed. I've found that it weeds out the *price shoppers* without much effort on my part. If the estimate doesn't send the caller clamoring whilst reaching for the yellow pages to go on to the next surveyor, then we can discuss what will go into coming up with what I feel would be a reasonable estimate.

> Stating a cost of what it would cost to do the job right is indeterminate until all facts come to light, I would think. However, if it were a perfect world, you would have a fairly good idea what it would cost to do the job.

Yeah, you can say something along the lines of "from what you've described of the property, it sounds similar to other surveys I've made that cost in the range of XXX to XXX. Naturally, those were other properties, and there may be something different about yours that will turn up in the course of the survey".

He just wanted something for nothing . I just dont like dealing with people like that from the get go. I sure he found someone to do what he asked . He really did not need a surveyor .

> He just wanted something for nothing . I just dont like dealing with people like that from the get go. I sure he found someone to do what he asked . He really did not need a surveyor .

It's easy to ascribe a tone, stance, and attitude to someone through an email, but, do you already know Mr. Badgett? He may not have actually been looking for something for nothing, but may have genuinely thought he was helping you by giving you the information he did.

You know your area and clientele better than we do, but being in the profession we are, people come along with the package. It's all part of the game.

When he wrote

I'll bite, that was the cincher for me. LOL!

When he wrote

That was it for me . I might have missed an opportunity , but I was not in the mode to educate someone on a survey just to have them price me out to the next guy.