A question we get asked from fellow instructors. We refer them to a local surveyor who has hired some of our students.
I wanted to ask if you or your department would consider or even be able to survey the property that my husband and I are in the process of buying? We asked around and got some really high quotes; my husband has experience with GIS and surveying but cannot professionally measure the property for record purposes. The house and land is located in Dallas, NC and is about 3.09 acres; some is in woods and the other part of the land is cleared. There is some fencing established along part of the property line, and we would like to fence the rest.
There is a reason why private surveyors costs are high. We have to maintain salaries of our staff & invest in survey equipments. Educational institution personnel do not have to worry about where their next paycheck would be coming from.
Simple answer
No. But, here are a few people who can. BTW, what makes you think the estimates you have received are "high"?
unfortunately "really high" probably means $350
I think you're doing the right thing by simply referring them to someone else. If you do choose to do the surveys you should charge as much as anyone else would.
Professional Courtesy
> A question we get asked from fellow instructors. We refer them to a local surveyor who has hired some of our students.
Professional courtesy would be the order of business in this instance. At least that's the case among my fellow professionals...
There a several statements in the inquiry that bring up red flags to me.
1 my husband has experience with GIS and surveying but cannot professionally measure the property for record purposes
they probably want to tell you how to do your job because they are experienced
2 We asked around and got some really high quotes
they are aware of the cost and know they could do it cheaper, in less time and maybe even better than you can
3 be able to survey the property
after talking with other surveyors they already have an opinion that nobody is capable of doing what they want
😉
Professional Courtesy
I didn't catch the part about fellow instructors. I would take that into consideration, but I don't know that it would make too much difference for me. It's kind of like working for friends and family. They can be the most difficult to work for and expect the lowest price (or free).
Professional Courtesy
> I didn't catch the part about fellow instructors. I would take that into consideration, but I don't know that it would make too much difference for me. It's kind of like working for friends and family. They can be the most difficult to work for and expect the lowest price (or free).
You can say that again.
Working for friends and family...damned if you do, damned if you don't. 😉
I get two or three of those every semester. They usually are "doing me a favor" by letting my students have a "real" surveying project to practice with.
I tell them "my students are not licensed and would get charged with a criminal offense if they did such a thing. I suggest you contact a Licensed Professional Land Surveyor listed in the Yellow Pages."
Really thoughful, generous people, eh?
Ask this instructor if the school allows anyone off the street with "teaching" experience to apply for vacant positions? I have kids and taught a class a few times. I also own a pen and paper and can read. What more do you need?
"High"? I love that. High based on, and compared to what?
I wish that we had some way to convince the general public that paying a tenth of what they paid the realtor, to actually find out exactly what they were buying is not a big expense.
the avatar evokes memories
of the imfamous MLB machetetube sox image.....ggaaaHHHHHH!!!!! o.O
> I get two or three of those every semester. They usually are "doing me a favor" by letting my students have a "real" surveying project to practice with.
>
> I tell them "my students are not licensed and would get charged with a criminal offense if they did such a thing. I suggest you contact a Licensed Professional Land Surveyor listed in the Yellow Pages."
>
> Really thoughful, generous people, eh?
Have similar stories in Ohio Cliff. Standard response was much like yours with additions that:
- ...School does not carry errors & omissions insurance.
- ...School equipment purchase includes state funding. Using it for a private survey would likely violate state laws. Much like asking a highway crew to maintain your driveway.
- ...Classes are highly structured to provide a mix of basic experience and skills training to the students. We do not have time within the schedule for additional work.
After all this still had one individual insist that since their taxes paid for the equipment and my position they should get a free survey. He was going to call the county and state and make sure I got corrected on this.
the avatar evokes memories
dang you Rankin!!!! agghahghahghghghghaghhhh
ouch, i would not touch a project for so little.
Sorry Andy....
(in my most sincere voice)
[sarcasm]good luck getting that image out of your head..... maybe call the crisis center....[/sarcasm] 😀