“Well-Reasoned Boundary Surveyor or Deed Staker? To What Philosophy Does any Surveyor Subscribe?”
Let’s say you are in the market for a Boundary Survey. It could be because you and your neighbor are unsure about where to put up a fence. It could be that your municipality is requiring one so you can get a permit to construct a garage. Regardless of the reason, you are in the market and so, like any good consumer, you start to call around to get prices from local surveyors. This is a great first step, but for too many it is the only step. Sometimes that sole step leads to big problems.
The tendency is to hire the surveyor with the cheapest fee who can get the work done within a reasonable amount of time. If market forces were the only driver in the industry, then this statement would make a lot of sense. Fees can vary depending upon familiarity and personal knowledge of the immediate vicinity of the project, efficiencies realized through technology, and varying mobilization costs dependent upon distance to travel from a base of operations. These are all legitimate market forces. Unfortunately, as has been discussed, there is another aspect to fee generation which has nothing to do with the market but has everything to do with the philosophy of the individual surveyor.
The “Deed Staker” likens his work to that of a building inspector. The person requesting the boundary survey is a customer and if there is a perceived “problem” with the description on the Deed, the Deed Staker points it out and directs that someone else be hired to fix it.
The “Well-Reasoned Boundary Surveyor” equates his role to that of an attorney or a doctor. The person requesting the boundary survey is a client who deserves a learned, educated, experienced, professional opinion as to the location of the boundary lines upon the ground. Perceived “problems” with the Deed can usually be adjudicated through the proper application of boundary surveying theory.
In summary, where a “Deed Staker” might find a problem with the Deed that needs to be fixed, the “Well-Reasoned Boundary Surveyor” will find that same problem, apply the proper principles and explain to their client the solution.
When in the market for a boundary survey, whatever the reason, get to know the surveyor you are about to hire. Call around for quotes for sure, but also consider visiting each at their office. The type of space they work out of will tell you a lot about the type of business they are running and a face to face meeting will go a long way toward making sure you are comfortable with their personality. Ask tons of questions, discuss their philosophy, and see if they foresee any issues. If the surveyor takes the time to think about your questions and answer them fully, it’s a good bet, he is a Well-Reasoned Boundary Surveyor.
