Caller: I am looking for a cheap survey!
Me: I am not your guy!
Call proceeds to demonstrate that I indeed was not what he was looking for. He seemed offended, yet he started off calling me cheap. Not sure how that works...
He's trying to whittle you down. It's sop, for car lots, and reelters.
Up your price a bit, if you hear from him again.
N
We used to respond to callers like that with "Oh you need to go to Helen Waite, let me transfer you"?ÿ Took one caller three separate calls until he finally go it.?ÿ We even went as far as making "Helen" business cards for awhile.
I am always torn on this sort of call. Do I tell him what I think it will cost and let the sticker shock settle in, or do I tell him it only costs $285 to get a crew to do his survey....per hour.
I do not take it personally, I find it funny. Zillow values the place at $560k and he is shocked at a few thousand for a boundary??ÿ
I am about ready to offer to do the survey for half of the estimate from the fence guy.
My goal on that sort of call is to make the number high enough that the next surveyor sounds like a great deal. I want ALL the work, but I also acknowledge that any time a surveyor makes good money on a survey it is a benefit to all of us.
In the past, I have told callers that I charge $100 for an estimate, payable up front and non-refundable.?ÿ If they accept my estimate and sign a contract, that money goes toward the contracted fee.?ÿ If they are shopping prices, they will go away.?ÿ If they are serious, and you want the job, give them an honest estimate of the value of the job.
Met with a lady last week who is the representative of a church-owned cemetery in need of some surveyor assistance.?ÿ After our tour of the cemetery she asked what it should cost.?ÿ I gave her my standard speech to non-profits of how I always charge far less than standard rate for such survey work.?ÿ I said the normal number would be about 2.5 X but I would do it for 1 X.?ÿ Two days later she called back to say some fellow members of the church thought it would only be about 0.5 X in the first place, so she was going to go in search of other bids.?ÿ I'm not worried.?ÿ No one is going to do it for free and that is apparently the goal.?ÿ If I end up being asked to do the job, I will do it.?ÿ If I don't, I will be dollars ahead.
It's a thankless thing, giving someone a break on a survey job.?ÿ Even though you're cutting your fee, doing some work for free, no one outside the business usually gets that.
I've almost given up surveying for friends and family too
@dmyhill ABSOLUTELY ! After back and forth on price for a 3 acre boundary for a fence install. I up'd my price to cost of the fence.
