I would say if the location of the fence is determined by the boundary either along or a 5',10' offset then boundary surveying period.
If the location of fence is not determined by the boundary then construction surveying.
What you call it makes a difference in Texas. If it is a Boundary Survey, then tax will need to be charged. If it is Construction Staking, then no tax.
To me, it depends on where the fence is. If it is close to the property line, then it is a boundary survey. Or in other words, if they don’t put the fence exactly where I staked it, will it protrude onto the right-of-way or neighbor’s property?
BTW: You cannot lump taxable items in with non taxable items in one billing task. They need to be separated (i.e. “stake perimeter fence” and “stake interior fence”)or tax will need to be charged for the whole task.
Miguel A. Escobar, LSLS, RPLS
Just my opinion,
If the land owner knows where the corners are, can show you the marker, and knows it is a straight line, but needs a line run because of a hill, brush or other obstructions, then it is constructions staking.
If the land owner says "I need you to find the front corner and run this line", then it is boundary surveying.
I have met landowners that can describe each corner, show you where it is, and tell you the complete history on it. I have also met landowners that don't know if they had a survey done when they bought it.
again, just my opinion.
James
Wait a minute....the scenario above is for stakes "along a boundary line". Who is determining it is on a boundary line, even if property corner monuments are found? If the fence gets built according to the stakes, who will the owner come after if it turns out that the fence is actually encroaching?
What you are considering is, I guess, a scenario where the owner says I know where my property corners are, they are right there, and right there, and I want you, survey tech, to stake a straight line between them. And that is possibly what he meant when he said "stake the fence on the property line." But you, I, and the wall probably know that the property owner is also relying on the technician or the professional to know whether that is the property line or not.
I could envision a surveyor coming in, finding two monuments and a couple of others, measuring between the monuments, shooting the others, and deciding that he has enough confidence that he is in the right place, and places stakes for a fence. He would have that expert knowledge to take the risk of feeling he has found the property corners, and staking the fence. If it turned out the fence was not on the property line, he might get sued, but he should weigh the risk against his confidence.
I don't know if this constitutes a 'boundary survey' or not. But I would feel better if the professional staking the fence, had a good knowledge of boundary and the level of risk he is taking.
Well...a little wishy-washy above, but some thoughts to consider.
Judge: Who told you where to built your fence?
Client: I hired a surveyor to stake the line.
That is all you need to know.
Do what you want as a surveyor or not, you will be responsible and liable for it either way.
Charge enough so you can eat your work if you have not covered your bases by doing a complete survey to assure what irons you used that were in the ground are in the correct place.
0.02
CONTRACT, CONTRACT CONTRACT!!!!!
A written agreement, clearly stating what each party expects is the only way to go here.
"I, Joe Stakeout, will provide stakes on a straight line between two corners represented to me by John Owner, as his boundary. Said stakes represent only a line between the monuments, and will not be set with reliance upon any title search or boundary survey."
I agree.
As a surveyor, any staking that we do is surveying.
As it's on the boundary, it is not merely construction staking.
If the guy who set the corners was off, and you stake a line between them, then you're still liable.
I'd have to do enough to know that the corners are correct before I stake a line.
If it's just technician type work, then the landowner can do it himself.
:good: :good:
You cannot contract out of certain standards.
If things go bad, you will still be a licensed LS, and will have been expected to have verified the boundary.
After all, setting a fence on a boundary line, is monumenting a boundary.
hmmm
.I started to say ditto Thad....but .....is it wise to do this at all? What if it goes sour? Do you think the landowner won't blame you? He, and the courts, will probably think of you as the expert, regardless of any disclaimers you might make.
