I have just not been into blogging lately but today I have been inspired.
I was telling a friend of mine that I was waiting for my new website to be built and then I was going to blog away because it would then be embedded in the site. However as most things go this is taking longer than expected to get built.
On to the topic.
I always chuckle inside when someone calls me says something like " It's an old street" "The lot is a rectangle" "Everything should just work because" etc, because they are trying to let me know up front that their particular job is easy and I should be able to do it for a minimal bust obviously intrusive cost.
I had a guy the other day tell me that his lot measures to the millimeter and I should be able to follow it just as close.
I have been estimating projects lately like they should be. I have broken the tip off of the pencil and am sending out real time professional rates.
I would love to see the look on some of these super cheap Mofo's faces when they get my estimate. Tire kickers is what I call them.
I have always marveled at how it is almost impossible for the Land Surveyor to explain dollar value to a client when all the client cares about is what they own which I am unable to legally tell them anyway. I make this statement in regards to boundary surveys.
The average client only understands cheap. They see us roll onto the site, look around for a while with a stick that has a disc on top, leave flagging and then disappear only to later receive a pdf file and an invoice.
I understand their angst. I really do. Hell I'd be pissed.
So herein lies the big question.
How do we intelligently explain the dollar value of flagging and paper to the client?
It's hard. I always explain it in time. Time seems to be the one common thing that everyone understands.
Before I even hang up with a client on the phone I am emphatic about how time consuming a project will be and the estimate goes out appropriately to follow.
It's true, surveys take a lot of time that we need to be compensated for in a professional manor.
As of late I have been getting professional rates and am loving it. The world is opening again and people such as myself can be paid as they should be.
On to the what not.
A couple of weeks back my Hiper had a horrible accident and broke the face plate among other things. It will not take a charge and needed replaced.
I was getting ready to take a quick run up to Prescott at 4am one Friday and noticed that something was just wrong with the GPS. I plugged it in, flipped it on and had 10% power and it went right to zero in a matter of seconds.
Well hell! I called the client and explained what was up and he was happy because he was running short on time and I scheduled one of my awesome contract guys to jump up there the following week.
I then jumped on the phone with Yon from RDO and went over and saw him. He hooked me up with a loaner and got my Hiper into the hospital. The damage was quite extensive and I carry a blanket policy on my equipment and called my insurance agent, told her what happened and she told me that is was a claim and it got filed and paid and Mr. Hiper will return this coming week. Yay!!!
Enough of that, lets talk about some fun stuff.
I am going to kick some major survey ass this week and then jump over to California next week for Fall Break. Fall Break, is a BS hiatus that the school district created for who knows what so I have decided that leaving for a pre-holiday vacation is the most prudent thing I can do. Thank you SUSD!!!
Surveying will be here when I return.
Wow! What if it wasn't? What would I do with myself? I do think big picture at all times.
Well that's about it for the moment surveyors. I have had a lot of bloggy type stuff boiling and am going to be back into from here on. Until I lose the luster again that is.
Peace out boys and girls, be safe out there and make lots and lots of money!!!
I was telling a friend of mine that I was waiting for my new website to be built and then I was going to blog away because it would then be embedded in the site. However as most things go this is taking longer than expected to get built.
On to the topic.
I always chuckle inside when someone calls me says something like " It's an old street" "The lot is a rectangle" "Everything should just work because" etc, because they are trying to let me know up front that their particular job is easy and I should be able to do it for a minimal bust obviously intrusive cost.
I had a guy the other day tell me that his lot measures to the millimeter and I should be able to follow it just as close.
I have been estimating projects lately like they should be. I have broken the tip off of the pencil and am sending out real time professional rates.
I would love to see the look on some of these super cheap Mofo's faces when they get my estimate. Tire kickers is what I call them.
I have always marveled at how it is almost impossible for the Land Surveyor to explain dollar value to a client when all the client cares about is what they own which I am unable to legally tell them anyway. I make this statement in regards to boundary surveys.
The average client only understands cheap. They see us roll onto the site, look around for a while with a stick that has a disc on top, leave flagging and then disappear only to later receive a pdf file and an invoice.
I understand their angst. I really do. Hell I'd be pissed.
So herein lies the big question.
How do we intelligently explain the dollar value of flagging and paper to the client?
It's hard. I always explain it in time. Time seems to be the one common thing that everyone understands.
Before I even hang up with a client on the phone I am emphatic about how time consuming a project will be and the estimate goes out appropriately to follow.
It's true, surveys take a lot of time that we need to be compensated for in a professional manor.
As of late I have been getting professional rates and am loving it. The world is opening again and people such as myself can be paid as they should be.
On to the what not.
A couple of weeks back my Hiper had a horrible accident and broke the face plate among other things. It will not take a charge and needed replaced.
I was getting ready to take a quick run up to Prescott at 4am one Friday and noticed that something was just wrong with the GPS. I plugged it in, flipped it on and had 10% power and it went right to zero in a matter of seconds.
Well hell! I called the client and explained what was up and he was happy because he was running short on time and I scheduled one of my awesome contract guys to jump up there the following week.
I then jumped on the phone with Yon from RDO and went over and saw him. He hooked me up with a loaner and got my Hiper into the hospital. The damage was quite extensive and I carry a blanket policy on my equipment and called my insurance agent, told her what happened and she told me that is was a claim and it got filed and paid and Mr. Hiper will return this coming week. Yay!!!
Enough of that, lets talk about some fun stuff.
I am going to kick some major survey ass this week and then jump over to California next week for Fall Break. Fall Break, is a BS hiatus that the school district created for who knows what so I have decided that leaving for a pre-holiday vacation is the most prudent thing I can do. Thank you SUSD!!!
Surveying will be here when I return.
Wow! What if it wasn't? What would I do with myself? I do think big picture at all times.
Well that's about it for the moment surveyors. I have had a lot of bloggy type stuff boiling and am going to be back into from here on. Until I lose the luster again that is.
Peace out boys and girls, be safe out there and make lots and lots of money!!!
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