The pros and cons of starting your own surveying business
There’s probably never been a better time to be a surveyor, especially with the many new infrastructure projects in the works. For surveyors who want the freedom to take advantage of the boom, it may be a good time to start a surveying business. For others, it’s a great time to pick up new skills, recognition and pay within their survey/engineering firm.
Here are a few of the pros and cons of starting your own surveying business:
Pros:
You’re the boss, so you choose your clients, the type of work, the quality of the work and how much work you want.
Cons
You’re the boss, so you need to find and sign the clients, keep them happy and make sure you get paid.
Running a successful business requires many of the abilities surveyors possess – analytical thinking, ability to manage and process many types of information, precise documentation and the ability to mediate between parties who disagree. The issue really boils down to how to apply these skills to running a business.
Business-ing is a lot less interesting than solving thorny surveying challenges, but there are structures, processes and technologies that can make the “business side” of things less burdensome.
Starting your business
A lot of information is available on how to start a business, and many surveyors advise* the best way to strike out on your own is:
Let other surveyors in the area know you’re starting up. They may have work they can’t or don’t want and can send the business your way. Word-of-mouth is the best marketing.
Start (or continue) attending the chapter meetings of the surveyor groups in your area. It’s a great way to find out what’s going on. NSPS
Get involved in your local government as a Planning Commissioner or join subcommittees. You won’t get work from it, but you’ll know who’s doing what and what’s coming up. Plus, you’ll get to personally know the staff that review your plats and plans.
Check out the government RFPs that are posted in your area and get on their list. (Of course, first you need to get registered and meet the prerequisites.)
See what types of surveying are in demand in your area. You probably have an idea already just by thinking about your past employment. If it makes sense, network with professionals you’ve worked with from other companies on various jobs to get their view of areas of opportunity.
Identify the kind of work you want to do. For example, find contractors (building and site) and introduce yourself.
Join a business networking group to keep up-to-date on what’s happening in your area.
Depending on your interests, consider working with other independent engineers, planners and architects to put together customized design teams for individual projects.
Running your business
Make sure you set up your business properly – there’s some good info at the SBA site here).
Set up a website and/or Facebook business page / LinkedIn business page. As far as websites, there are many low-cost website app providers/hosts that make it easy, such as google sites, GoDaddy and so on. It’s important that you incorporate appropriate search terms in your site so that your website comes up when someone searches for a surveyor in your area.
Even if you’re starting with money in the bank, keep all expenses at a minimum – even when you’re paid from a big job. Have a budget and just spend what you need to get by. That way, if everything goes well, a bonus is available at the end of the year.
Turing down a job is OK. Pick the jobs you want and the clients you want.
Always tell clients what’s going on, even if you have to delay their project for a week or so. They may not like it but at least they won’t wonder what’s going on.
Be clear about what is included in your service, and be prepared to educate customers. You’re providing a professional service. As Trent Williams says in his blog: When a surveyor is engaged, three obligations that immediately come into play:
Professional Obligation: There is a certain level of work involved to complete a survey. It does not matter if it is one line or the whole property. Surveyors must evaluate each property deed to the adjacent deeds. Then those deeds must be tied to government monuments that govern properties and spend time onsite locating improvements.
Legal Obligation: In most states, surveyors are required by state law to file a record of that survey. This includes a map graphically shows how and what we did in step one. We share a copy of that survey with you, both electronically and a paper copy.
Professional Liability: Whether I set a fence corner or a property corner the land owner and neighbors view both as the same product and level of work. If someone disagrees with my work, it doesn’t matter if I offered the $400 product or the $2,000 product.
Doing the job right costs more because it is accurate, legally defensible and lasting.
Williams says it is important to help customers understand the questions to ask when engaging a surveyor, which include
Will you provide me a copy of the survey?
What are you actually setting on my property corners? Rebar and cap?
Are you a Licensed Professional Surveyor?
Surveyors have a unique combination of independence, technical ability, precision and soft skills that are ideal for running their own businesses or providing top-quality work for surveying/engineering firms. Berntsen has supported surveyors for more than 50 years with the highest quality products that reflect the professionalism and care of each surveyor who leaves a lasting mark.