Phone rang today. A gentleman explained that he didn't need a survey, he just need his corners found and marked. He asked, "Do you do that?"
"No", I replied.
"Isn't this a survey company?"
"Yes it is, but you said you didn't need a survey."
He back-peddled and continued to explain that he had a copy of the recorded plat. So technically he felt it had already been surveyed.
I dove head first into my yadda-yadda about recovering existing monuments, replacing missing ones and liability...ad infinitum...ad nauseum..
This property is a new, higher end residential lot of 1 ac.+ and backs up to a private golf course. He's owned it only a few months. The lots are 80K, most of the houses are around 500K. I explained that we'd be more than happy to provide a pin survey with documentation showing all the improvements on the lot (I won't just 'pin' a lot and drive off); with a 3 hour minimum and some screen time he was probably looking at around 500 bucks.
This guy had the huevos to tell me, "I don't see how you get off charging so much."
I reminded him that he had called me and maybe he should call his builder and rag on him for 'losing' the pins that had already been set.
I don't think he even said 'bye.
> "Isn't this a survey company?"
>
> "Yes it is, but you said you didn't need a survey."
Yes it is, but I think I can see the problem. You need a magician or a psychic. Both of those are listed nearer the front of the Yellow Pages, I'll bet.
Did a very similar job recently. $500,000+ home in very nice neighborhood. Front and rear property lines were on curb lines, entirely in curves, and almost none of the rear corners were marked in the entire block. I spent 2 days on the job, making sure everything was correct and providing a very good plat. Only charged the client $500 and both the client and RE agent asked why it cost so much. Sheesh.
Hey! Let's all set a minimum bid of $20,000 to do any boundary survey no matter how simple it may be. That way when they start fonching they will actually have something worth fonching over.
Kent, that is plain old funny!
Nate
Metal detector rentals with DIY find your corner brochures*... $20 per day plus %480 deposit.
*There is no guarantee that the monument that you find is at your corner without confirmatory measurements of the same.
"Metal detector rentals with DIY find your corner brochures"
Around here one town will send a crew out to find your front pins, they won't locate the rear pins. (they have no PLS on staff) I have had several calls telling me "I only need the rear pins the town engineering department has already done the front ones"
Another town will loan you a pin finder for a weelend so you can do your own surveying.
T.W.
Don't go charging a lot of money. Then the clients will think they are getting something worth it, and surveyors will actually start to make a profit. We can't be having that.
Ouch. I have an old metal detector that I lend to people. I explain the problem that they may have two bounds within 10' and they will have to figure out which one is which.
One fellow ended up being a sales rep at StoneWood (Outdoors building supply, fences, walls, patios, etc.). He was so appreciative, he has sent everyone who needs a line staked our way.
> "Metal detector rentals with DIY find your corner brochures"
>
> Around here one town will send a crew out to find your front pins, they won't locate the rear pins. (they have no PLS on staff) I have had several calls telling me "I only need the rear pins the town engineering department has already done the front ones"
>
> Another town will loan you a pin finder for a weelend so you can do your own surveying.
>
> T.W.
You need an inside man to tell you who's pins they are going to locate. That way you can slip out there in the middle of the night and drive a few goat stakes. Make sure those goat stakes will create an obvious encroachment. Then when the neighbor calls you, make sure you charge a good price for the survey.
I believe that I would be having a talk with the town, their attorney and the board in that order...
Why? They're just creating more work.
