California Surveyors Forums

Upon reading Rob's article in the recent issue of CLSA News - it is disheartening to see this is still going on.

However . . . doesn't the consumer have some culpability too? Would one employ the services of an unlicensed dentist and expect the best results?

I don't feel sorry for the consumer. He or she gets what they paid for.

On the other hand . . . if a licensed surveyor wants to be philanthropic - knock yourself out. Such is noble. But don't perform a substandard survey because you are either discounting or donating the survey.

I agree, Phil.

However, most of the time, the public doesn't know the difference between a licensed surveyor and an unlicensed one.

That licensed guy wants to charge me $5,000 to locate my boundary. That other guy is only charging $250! Guess which one they go with.

I have actually been asked to share the coordinates for a guy's property. He'd bought a handheld GPS unit and wanted the coordinates for his property corners. He thought licensed surveyors were given a book of coordinates for properties throughout the state. He wanted to plug them into his unit and avoid the expense of a surveyor.

However, most of the time, the public doesn't know the difference between a licensed surveyor and an unlicensed one.

I hear ya, Ian . . .

Hi, John Q. Public! You are an adult capable of signing umpteen documents at closing. You are capable of qualifying for a residential property loan. You are most likely not indigent nor stupid. But you are too stupid to know there is a difference between licensed and unlicensed?

Come on. The consumer "owns" his choice.

Lot of surveyors don't get why they should bother with licensure (those offering unlicensed services) and you expect the consumer to be educated?

This still goes on, there is a new batch of fools (among other kinds) being born every day.