Hey folks, I need some advise. I have recently takin over a existing surveying business from my original mentor. He had been semi retired for the past few years and hasn't done a lot to work. I work for a medium size company and I'm able to do the work from my new business of the side a couple days a week. I'm trying to decide if I should buy a robot, i have gotten a quote and have got approved for a interest free/24month loan (monthly payment would be about $700, which is very doable). I'm tired of begging people to help on their days off and don't like the fact when someone ask if I could be on site the next day, I have to say "let me see if I can find someone to help me".
I want to go work for myself full time ASAP, and I think he fastest way to do it would be a solo operation. Most of my work is smaller boundaries (0.5 to 5 acres), and some layout jobs as well. My question, would you take the jump and buy the robot?
You Cannot Run A Business And Be An Employee
It may be only weeks or days until who? you are working for is a conflict.
Maybe buy a used robot and do weekend surveys, but do not take on any work were a typical week day is expected. It is not fair or ethical to your current employer.
Paul in PA
> My question, would you take the jump and buy the robot?
yes
B-)
You will get replies from all kinds of experts in a soloizing operation. Ranging from legalities, marketing, office space, trucks & equipment, networking skills, taxes & insurance (that should be first on the list), lots and lots of software, and lots of other things that just pop up. Soloizing was for me about 20 some years ago and it was good then. Buying a robot is a total no brainer nowadays, and cheaper (less expensive than staff).
The problems are never in the field work end of things because that is the fun part. They are in the office. Mostly the fact that if you go buy some equipment, it's yours. Your office bills will never go away. Nor will taxes, fees, keeping track of ever changing regulations, and oh yea taxes. The administrative duties you likely are over looking will freaking bury you before you know it. Having your wife or kids do that doesn't count towards the cost of doing business because it will cost you more in the long run.
Plus unless you go into it with a full commitment, you will likely not get much support from your peers. They are your best ally, so think about the "part time moonlighter" status it seems that you are digging yourself a hole for. Hard to get out of that unless you move.
But the robot part is just like buying a locator, shovel, hammer or flagging. Stuff you need. Oh yea, and a quad with a trailer. Then some GPS to further complicate your business management approach. Just more stuff in your tool box.
Good luck
You Cannot Run A Business And Be An Employee
> It may be only weeks or days until who? you are working for is a conflict.
>
> ... ethical to your current employer.
Oh yea, I forgot that below. Definitely a conflict of interest. Plus, who is signing these surveys??
I would suggest our grasshopper gets a written authorization from said employer, which may or may not include a non-compete clause and full disclosure clause.
> My question, would you take the jump and buy the robot?
If that is the direction you picture yourself heading, go for it. No better time to jump than the here and now. Makes you feel alive.
Besides, a monthly note payment is a great motivator when it comes to scrounging up survey work. A great lesson in business is waiting to unfold.
Good luck.
You Cannot Run A Business And Be An Employee
I'm signing all the work that I do on the side. My employer is ok with me doing work on the side (as of right now).
You Cannot Run A Business And Be An Employee
It does sound like a situation ripe with conflicts but there are lots of situations where it can exist with none.
I was employed by a large highway construction firm for a number of years. State highway work was the bulk of their workload. By statute all of the layout and as built work was to be performed by a licensed surveyor. I was responsible for a crew and all the firm's projects.
I also lived in a rural area and had my employer's blessing in conducting all the private surveying I wanted. For a while I also had a full-time employee for my private practice while I was employed full time by the construction contractor. While this did require an agreement with his insurance carrier, there was never any conflict of interest. My private practice used none of my employers resources such as vehicles or equipment.
Now the wood, pins and flagging I used on the weekends was a different matter....:-$
You Cannot Run A Business And Be An Employee
> .. My private practice used none of my employers resources such as vehicles or equipment.
>
> Now the wood, pins and flagging I used on the weekends was a different matter....:-$
Thinking like a contractor, I would rather you borrow my equipment than "borrow" my supplies.
You Cannot Run A Business And Be An Employee
> Thinking like a contractor, I would rather you borrow my equipment than "borrow" my supplies.
You're probably right, Roadhand. But it was just too easy to use the wood I took home every night in my company truck. That and I already had a "survey buggy" of my own with fairly decent equipment.
We had three asphalt plants spattered all over central Oklahoma. One was fairly close to my house. When I bought staking supplies for the construction company it was by the truckload and we stored it at the yard closest to my house, just for convenience.
Actually, compared to the supplies I used to stake the road jobs, my personal use was a pittance.
Yup. Go get 'em. I completely understand the benefits of not having to rely on another human being with a robot. Worth the money.
> My question, would you take the jump and buy the robot?
With the economy on the upswing, it seems like a good time. IMO, it would be hard to justify buying a new instrument that wasn't robotic.
"My question, would you take the jump and buy the robot?"
My answer: Only if you are absolutely, 100% positively capitalized to start your own business, and you have the business acumen to operate it PROFITABLY.
I know it is scary, going out on your own, but you can't build a successful business while you are working for someone else. For one thing, you will be labeled and remembered as a part timer. Your focus needs to be 100% on your new business, not somebody else's. It is really scary, but either you are going to do it or you aren't. It is an up or down question. If you don't, you will always wonder. You know, coulda, shoulda.
My only regret is not doing it years before. There is nothing I miss about working for somebody else.
> I want to go work for myself full time ASAP, and I think he fastest way to do it would be a solo operation. Most of my work is smaller boundaries (0.5 to 5 acres), and some layout jobs as well. My question, would you take the jump and buy the robot?
Do it. The only thing you will probably regret is not making this move sooner. There are not many "reliefs" in life greater than finally deciding to stop working to build someone else's future and start working to build your own.
Go for it. What's the worst that can happen - going back to what you are doing now?
You Cannot Run A Business And Be An Employee
It is my understanding that your employer will still carry the liability of your side projects. Even if the liability does not transfer, If you have a suit, the Plaintiff's Attorney will probably smell the money and bring invite them to the party.
> Hey folks, I need some advise. I have recently takin over a existing surveying business from my original mentor. He had been semi retired for the past few years and hasn't done a lot to work. I work for a medium size company and I'm able to do the work from my new business of the side a couple days a week. I'm trying to decide if I should buy a robot, i have gotten a quote and have got approved for a interest free/24month loan (monthly payment would be about $700, which is very doable). I'm tired of begging people to help on their days off and don't like the fact when someone ask if I could be on site the next day, I have to say "let me see if I can find someone to help me".
> I want to go work for myself full time ASAP, and I think he fastest way to do it would be a solo operation. Most of my work is smaller boundaries (0.5 to 5 acres), and some layout jobs as well. My question, would you take the jump and buy the robot?
As long as you don't spend the time fiddling with your $16,800 robot instead of making money, go for it.
IMHO, a refurb or at least a very good condition Trimble S6 would be your best investment...but you'll need to make payments for another year. If you're serious about solo, the $30K+ price of admission for a NEW S6 robot system is the way to go.
If you go solo, buy a reflectorless robot and a compatible GPS network rover.:-)
You Cannot Run A Business And Be An Employee
No, my employer carries zero of liability for any side work. I have my own corporaton that I work under.
You Cannot Run A Business And Be An Employee
> It is my understanding that your employer will still carry the liability of your side projects. Even if the liability does not transfer, If you have a suit, the Plaintiff's Attorney will probably smell the money and bring invite them to the party.
I don't think this would be an issue.
Also, maybe the current employer prefers to have an employee 3 days/week. The deal they may have together, we do not know.
Before buying a robot, do a business plan. Figure out what your plan is and if you are fit for the lifestyle. Many people are more happy working for the man and getting a steady cheque every 2 weeks. Many of them are also better at what they do in that environment. Know yourself before making a move.