I was sufficiently paid to thoroughly scour the neighborhood for blocks around, tying up every scrap of boundary evidence. And for analyzing said evidence. And for all the building calcs. All that is "in the can". If I had not been I would not be offering to finalize it all with a map for a mere $3k.
They understood the need for all that work to get their building situated.?ÿ They do not understand the value in monumenting the boundary of the finished work.?ÿ
A boundary survey not only protects him, it protects the public (adjoiners) by proving their lines where you think they are on the ground to the best of your abilities.
It prevents future trespass issues in terms of encroachments.
Hopefully the lot is free of encumbrances as regards easements above and below the surface of the lands.
Height restrictions can be sorted now before construction begins. Nothing like zoning being X and an old deed restriction being Y when Y is more constraining than current zoning.
The need for construction loans may require a survey to be completed and certified to the bank.
Setting corners puts the neighbors on notice if they do happen to have conflicting evidence.
If you get the job, I'd ask the owner to present a title policy. We do that here before researching into the evolution of the chain of title for a lot.
May I ask, what did you provide to your client that the boundary was good? Just a survey to him? I work in NJ. Outside of knowing the bare minimum of other state's practices for testing, I'm not familiar with "filing a survey." The only thing we file are subdivision maps. Subdivisions by deeds are recorded and deeds by transfer are recorded. I cannot go to the county clerk and get a survey prepared by another firm that was done for the purpose of a sale or refinance. Site plans can be requested as they are filed in the townships and counties, but if XYZ hires me for a survey outside the realm of a mortgage, nothing gets officially filed.
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May I ask, what did you provide to your client that the boundary was good? Just a survey to him? I work in NJ. Outside of knowing the bare minimum of other state's practices for testing, I'm not familiar with "filing a survey." The only thing we file are subdivision maps. Subdivisions by deeds are recorded and deeds by transfer are recorded. I cannot go to the county clerk and get a survey prepared by another firm that was done for the purpose of a sale or refinance. Site plans can be requested as they are filed in the townships and counties, but if XYZ hires me for a survey outside the realm of a mortgage, nothing gets officially filed.
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At this point, the client really has nothing from me in terms of anything on paper. They asked for nothing and state law does not oblige me to provide anything until corner monuments are set. Also, no inspector has asked for a foundation survey?ÿ - which kind of bugs me. That's another story. None of which is to say that I don't have anything to give.?ÿ ?ÿ
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"the 1850's era record plat boundary regurgitated and placed based on unreferenced evidence). I worked a boundary out just days before excavation began."
Rescind your offer.?ÿ
$3 k?ÿ to take on multi-millions in liability where you had to adjust (wiggle) the building to make if fit doesn't sound like a good deal for you.?ÿ
If they want you to take on that kind of long-term responsibility it should cost significantly more than $3k - like many times more - like more than 10x more.?ÿ
Being paid only for your hourly rate is like a plumber.?ÿ Charge for the liability you are incurring like JKinAK says!?ÿ
Being paid only for your hourly rate is like a plumber
Or a lawyer
Being paid only for your hourly rate is like a plumber
Or a lawyer
bingo.?ÿ if your rate is right.
hard part is somehow convincing clients of that.?ÿ i tell clients any fixed fee estimate is essentially a gamble- one that i'm gonna win most of the time.?ÿ most of them still want a fixed fee, which i get- makes budgeting a whole lot easier.
Being paid only for your hourly rate is like a plumber
Or a lawyer
bingo.?ÿ if your rate is right.
hard part is somehow convincing clients of that.?ÿ i tell clients any fixed fee estimate is essentially a gamble- one that i'm gonna win most of the time.?ÿ most of them still want a fixed fee, which i get- makes budgeting a whole lot easier.
Fixed fees should always be done with a very precise scope.?ÿ Any change in scope is a change in fee.?ÿ I would never use fixed fee on a boundary survey unless you are 99% sure of what you're up against.
Seems like the way to do this (hindsight) would of been add the monumentation and filing fees to the boundary resolution phase when they were handing out money to get the project on track, you would already have your fees and could complete the boundary survey as soon as the concrete walks are all poured.
Most ALTA surveys seem to be an evil necessity to get money and are usually not of high quality from what I see, nobody paying for those wants to check that box to monument the boundaries, not that they would still be in post construction, but it is a bit of a sore subject with me that tons of ALTA's are done with zero monumentation.
SHG
