I've always had the notion I don't do topo surveys unless I do a boundary. This extends to construction staking, but different issue. In this instance it's an existing 10 ac or so truck stop who added a tire shop somewhere in the middle. The entire site has a record of survey for which I used the found monuments to make sure I knew where I was. All was good.
Proceed with the topo, which really was more for drainage and utilities than anything else. Setback were never an issue. They design the tire shop location. I stake the building, which is almost done.
Now the electric company decides they need to revise their connection to said tire shop, coming in from a different location. New conduit, new transformers, etc. All of which are public, thus require easements. I've now got to establish a key property line that was non-critical to the topo for the building, but now necessary to complete the easement descriptions. It's all an extra fee so I'm not worried there.
It all goes back to the owner, but still wonder about the concept of "sticking to your guns" regarding not doing a topo without a full blown unnecessary boundary survey.
There is no assumption that a topo or a construction staking necessarily include any boundary work. The specifics of each job need to be negotiated, agreed to, documented, and contracted.
Depends. Always pays to think that far ahead no matter what.
I always try to include several long sights into my control, even if the topo survey is an small isolated project.
Before you know it a simple culvert replacement leads to having to provide a basis for a drainage easement.
Thanks for some quick replies. I'm also of the mind set to well define your scope, and everything else falls in place. I also feel a professional responsibility to advise in advance of some forthcoming issues that may or may not come up, pending.
It just seems when I price that into things (the forthcoming events) I never get the job. Wish I would have figured that concept out 20 yrs ago. But it always does come back to doing the right thing.
> It just seems when I price that into things (the forthcoming events) I never get the job. ...
A lot of times the client wants to push expenses into the construction phase, it's easier to get the financing then.
It Is Always Sound Practice To Do A Good Tie In...
...for your own peace of mind.
That being said, there is no reason to provide said information to the client for free.
Paul in PA
The entire site has a record of survey for which I used the found monuments to make sure I knew where I was.
Why does it need to be done again? This is not the PLSS where we are never done is it?
I like to include a statement in my proposals about a few specific items that are not included. Often on boundary surveys I state that line stakes and topo surveying are not included. In this case I would have stated that boundary surveying is not included. It's hard to argue at the end of the project if this was noted up front.
Actually C, I did exactly that and always do. I'm working for the general contractor with I have a good background with and knew the site was already surveyed, saw no issues. I always exclude any off site, additional easements, etc in my scope. This falls outside my scope so no problem.
I just wonder what the masses here think about doing a limited topo without definitive control that somebody can duplicate. To me it's a big notta. SPC are not control IMO, but monuments are.
Maybe my warm and fuzzy just hopes the contractor doesn't get stuck with my bill. Good guys, but hey.... this ain't a hobby - I'm in business to make money.
edit: oh yea, I only do construction staking on an hourly rate. Works for me and them. Lump sum never seems to work, no matter how well you define your scope.
Wayne,
I think you're not a very good business man and too good of a surveyor. Sticking to your guns on doing a complete boundary survey when a topo is called for is not very smart. I do just enough for the client in providing the topo..and enough for me to know exactly where the boundary and topo is. The topo may cost the client a little more than the competition but when the extra work comes in, I make a killin.
Pablo B-)
