A Pastor friend said “Go Live the Call” at the end of each message. To us as Boundary Surveyors, we need to “Go Live the Call” to respond to requests for services that only we as licensed professionals can provide and I sense there are becoming fewer and fewer of us qualified to do so.   There are many types of surveyors with differing skills and talents but I’m talking specifically about those who “determine the proper location of boundary lines”.

It Is an Art

I call this the “Art of Boundary Line Determination”, and yes, it is an “Art” totally different from other types of surveys acquired through common sense, experience, practice, listening, asking questions, mentoring, continued learning, wisdom, discernment, relationships, etc. It is not learned in college, reading Knud’s books (sorry Knud), seminars, measurements, GPS, or passing a test.

So What Is It?

It is the skill to determine the proper location of a common line separating properties using the best available evidence within a reasonable budget which is a challenge but what our clients & communities deserve.

Special Person

This requires a special/unique person with the right character, personality, temperament, gifts, and relationship skills that not all surveyors possess. It needs to be someone who knows and is known by the community (Attorneys, peers, government, business associates), active in the community, knows local history & survey practices, good business person, looked up to and with a legal mind.

Two Buckets

When the Vet first opened, they had a gasoline truck bring in the opposing team’s reliever and a firetruck the Phillies reliever. Boundary Surveyors carry two (2) buckets, one with gasoline and the other water.   We can see a devil/problem behind each bush OR a solution behind each opportunity. We can cause problems/disputes OR resolution/agreement by our attitudes and things we say & do. We need to use the water bucket and recommend solutions. I’m of the mind set that there are few disputes, just misunderstandings.

Muddy Boots

Boundary lines are on the ground, not on paper. Our job is to translate what is on paper to the ground so it can be clearly observed and that requires us as professionals getting in the field. We should not be depending on AI or things obtained electronically. Remember, we’re Boundary Surveyors and boundary lines are on the ground. We need to be proud of our determinations, charge for and not hide them.

When is Enough Enough?

That’s the challenge. When have we conducted enough research, collected enough field evidence, talked to the right people, made the right determination, and disclosed the right things all within a reasonable charge for our services? That’s why we need experienced/qualified professional Boundary Surveyors. I believe there are policies, procedures, & processes to help answer this question and to get it right for a reasonable fee but that is for another day or article.

Foot Prints

We as Boundary Surveyors are told to follow in the footsteps of the Surveyor before us. The question we need to ask ourselves is:

• “What footprints are we leaving for the next generation?”
• “Can they trust our work?”
• “Have we been thorough?”
• “Is it documented?
• “What do people think when they see our name on plans and documents?”

Those footprints need to include not only our boundary line determinations & plans but also our legacy, character, reputation, and value added to our clients & community.  We old guys are fading away and the young guys need to pull as much as they can out of us.

Passing the Baton

I think we are all aware that we need more skilled, equipped, qualified people coming into our profession and that is especially true with Boundary Surveyors. Many of us old guys, me included, are retiring and need to “live the call” to pass on our experience, wisdom and knowledge to the next generation.  If we don’t, who will? I believe this is best done face to face, one on one or in small groups.

Let’s “Go Live the Call”

Remember, no one else can do what we do. Let’s “Go Live the Call” / meet the challenge. I’d like to hear from you. Give me a call. Let’s talk.