The last 6 weeks have been crazy busy.
I think I have turned down more work than I have actually done.
I'm talking about flat out turning down, I'm not your guy, please go somewhere else.
As I sit here pecking on this keyboard, I have over a 15 proposals to research and write (since Monday) for projects that I would like to secure.
Right now I have over a month++ of backed up work.
I have attempted to look for help, but there are no qualified folks out there.
I've even increased my fees, but at this point clients don't care about the fee, they want the project done in short order.
It's almost as if there are not enough surveyors to service the needs of the public.
Crazy
Me, too.
I am doing work I accepted several months ago, and I am many projects behind.
This is a good "problem" to have, but my clients need the work ASAP.
12 - 16 hour days are normal for my solo operation, even when it is raining.
But take a half day every now and then and do something else. It helps. :woot:
Couldn't agree more. We are going full speed ahead with no end in sight! It's June and I have already contracted the yearly goal, and much like you there is no help out there. I have ran adds and no one applies. The shortage of surveyors is really going to be a huge problem - well actually it's gonna be great 😉
> The last 6 weeks have been crazy busy.
>
> I think I have turned down more work than I have actually done.
> I'm talking about flat out turning down, I'm not your guy, please go somewhere else.
>
> As I sit here pecking on this keyboard, I have over a 15 proposals to research and write (since Monday) for projects that I would like to secure.
>
> Right now I have over a month++ of backed up work.
>
> I have attempted to look for help, but there are no qualified folks out there.
>
> I've even increased my fees, but at this point clients don't care about the fee, they want the project done in short order.
>
> It's almost as if there are not enough surveyors to service the needs of the public.
>
> Crazy
I am having the same problem. The last proposal(s) I did (At 11:30PM last night) I just added 15% onto the numbers for no reason. I'm too busy, so if I am going to get the work it may as well actually be worth it!
I only could wish for that. I've been jumping on every bit of work I can find. Even if I have to work for cost just to keep busy enough to keep the boss from laying me off. This area has too much competition.
I know a number of Surveying folks (Registered folks, office technicians, and field personnel) that threw in the towel in the crash of the mid 2000's and transitioned into another line of work completely. Can't say as I blame them for how poor the market was back then. Should be interesting going forward- fewer folks to do the work usually means the ones left can pick the clients who are worth working for (time to trim the tree of the problem branches) and command higher fees.
I almost replied to this thread last night at 330 when I was reviewing a plan others submitted to hopefully wrap up a 10 year court battle.
As of 330, I had 47.25 hours in for the week.
My neighbor stopped me this morning to ask where he was on my list. He needs a plan ASAP and has been waiting several weeks.
The wife is complaining that I am working too much.
Last fall I was supposed to file a plan by 11-15. I did not. The architect tore me a new one. I replied that I could not file my plan without her plan. She got me plans by 1-1 and I filed. Over the nasty snowy winter when I had time they made numerous changes to the plans and provided me with the finals in mid April. When I finally got around to looking at the plans two weeks ago and e-mailed questions the reply came with a snarky, 'well now that you are back on the project' comment. The plans are now buried on my desk under two other projects. I can see a corner of one.
I am going to the store to get a case of red bull. It give you wings and will help me stay awake through the afternoon.
I have a glimmering light of a new employee, but he still needs training on Carlson. He understands the theory which is more important than the practice. Yesterday he picked up Carlson's Surface routines with an hour of training, an hour of oversight and six hours of practice on a real project.
Good luck to you and your workload. I hope more work translates to more financial security...
I've been turning down work on a regular basis. The conversation usually goes something like this.
Caller: 'Do you have time to do an 18 acre survey in 'blah, blah'? (An hour away).
Me: When do you need this done?
Caller: 'Well... yesterday, but some time in the next week will be fine'.
Me: Yeaaaaa. I'm very sorry, I just don't do yesterdays. I could possibly fit that in some time before September if that would help.
Caller: 'Crickets chirping **** Okay, thanks'.
I'm just not going to take on more work than I have time for. Life is too short and I don't enjoy making promises I can't keep.
I have definitely gotten generous to the company as well. If I'm going to die working at least the AR numbers will be good...
Me too. Last 6-8 weeks very busy. Last year generally was like this too, until about January. Then, things slowed down, and I worked through my pile of projects, and got pretty well caught up. I was glad for the respite. The phone really didn't ring in February and March, and then wow April, and going ahead full steam. I'm turning projects down now.
The hard ones to turn down are the good clients that have hired before and will hire again, the ones who pay their bills, and value good work. But when they call now looking for work completed in a week, what can you do? Put your other clients off? I don't think that's fair. Sure there's some wiggle room, if you plan for it, but when the calendar is already full, and I mean full, there's no way to do two things at once. Either you serve the customer you've already agreed to serve, or you put him off and serve the other guy.
It's hard to turn down a good client, because you feel that your reputation might suffer. But, I think it is worse for your reputation to promise something you can't deliver, and then keep your client waiting beyond what he expects.
It's a good problem to have, compared with not enough work. It's a good time to be a surveyor!
I used to like working weekends in the office. It would be quiet, I can get calcs done with no disturbances, get things crossed off the list of things needed to be done.
Not this weekend. Yesterday I was in for 5 hours & the phone rang 6 times.
Of course the proverbial call from the home owner building a fence and needs just a couple more stakes on the property line. "can you come out right now"? -- Uh no!
So I go in today with the idea of preping all projects to be done tomorrow and this week and getting things in order. - Guess what, 5 voice messages on the service.
"We liked that ALTA survey you did last month for us, can you get another one done by next Friday? it's a full service car wash on 3.5 acres? I'll call you Monday am"
another one - "hey, the form crew is wrapping up the foundation forms this weekend, can you send crew over on Monday morning to check them for placement, as we are pouring concrete in the afternoon"
-
Since last Monday, i think I've got 70+ hours
& I don't pay myself overtime.
The wife is beginning to get upset too.
It's hard to keep your head above water when attempting to juggle.
I need to fix this.
:gammon:
Nothing quite like the stomach flu to force a fella to sit down and take a break. Was heading out of town this morning for an overnight job trying to stay on top of this workload when up outta nowhere my tummy says nope. Now I am sitting here in a parking lot waiting for my wife and daughter to drive down to get me and drive me and my truck back home to international corporate headquarters.
