Pricing

Survey Costs – Professional Fees

For your protection, please read carefully.

Establishing a price for a survey is not easy.

The primary consideration is to evaluate the purpose of the survey; what is to be accomplished. There are a vast number of types and combinations of types of surveys that could be addressed. Some are exceptionally simple, and some are, indeed, extremely complicated. Some can be solved with a phone call, others may require an action by the Courts to produce a remedy. The first step in finding the answer to a client’s request…”what is this going to cost?” is determining the scope of work.

My answer to the question: “what is this going to cost?” is to provide you, the client, with four options:

  1. Fixed Fee. {aka, bid quote} In order to state a specific dollar amount, sufficient to cover any complication or unknown condition that would occur during the conduct of the survey, the number must be large enough to accommodate any eventuality. You will not be happy with this number. It may very well be desirable for you, as a fixed cost is a known quantity; however, it is very dangerous for me. Without a known scope of work, I may be paying you do perform the survey.
  2. Probable Range. In some instances, I may be able to provide a lower and upper range of cost. However, until the scope of work is known, that range will be very large. Often, with this pricing method, the scope of work is developed and becomes known as the survey progresses, requiring me to notify you of the adjustments to the cost and the extent of the work is not known until the survey is complete; again, a dangerous proposition for both of us.
  3. Time and Materials. This may seem like an open-ended contract, and, as with the two options stated above, until the scope of work is determined, the actual cost is unknowable until the work is complete. In this case, my hourly rates will accrue until the survey is completed. All of my repeat clients, once a level of trust is obtained, understand that I will perform the work at the highest level of integrity, at a fair price, choose this option as the most efficient. See below for hourly rates.
  4. 4.Retainer – Not to Exceed Estimate. In order to investigate the circumstances and conditions related to the tract of land, [ i.e., the veracity of its title, the existence (or lack thereof) of controlling survey monumentation, it’s legal relationship with the adjoiners, any gaps or overlaps in deed descriptions, encumbrances, access issues or hindrances related to the field operations ], it is suggested that a retainer be provided to arrive at an understanding of the scope of work. Should you accept these terms, the retainer allows us to provide an estimated dollar figure that WILL NOT EXCEED a fixed number. The retainer is contained within the NOT TO EXCEED amount, as it covers the work that will be needed to conduct the survey. As a further protection, should you not agree to the fee expected for the work, all of the materials, (maps, deeds, records, etc.) obtained in the investigation will be provided to you as the basis for another Professional to begin their own survey. It is my passion to provide you with a complete, defendable survey well under that fixed number.

Call us now for more information about our prices and services!

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