Introduction
Meeting #3 of the mentoring group “Charting The Northwest Passage” discussed the topic: “Tips For Making Land Subdivisions More Profitable”.
Summary
Landon hosted the third “Charting The Northwest Passage” meeting, diving into the nitty-gritty of making small land subdivisions profitable for land surveyors. Surveyors Kyle and Landon tackled the challenges of California’s complex subdivision processes, highlighting the wild variations in jurisdictional requirements and the need to manage client expectations. They both agreed on avoiding firm, lump-sum prices for entire subdivision processes due to the unpredictable nature of the work involved. The discussion emphasized educating clients about the true costs and implementing strategies for tracking and billing time spent on research, coordination, and, most importantly, problem-solving.
Kyle and Landon also debated the surveyor’s role in land use planning, with Kyle steering clear and Landon diving in. Landon shared a cautionary tale about not becoming a free consultant, emphasizing the importance of retainers to cover those “extra” client requests. They also explored ethical ways to educate clients about the complexities of subdivisions, ensuring everyone’s on the same page from the get-go. Landon even shared a form they send out with land development proposals outlining potential pitfalls and the need for other consultants. Overall, the meeting provided practical advice and food for thought for land surveyors navigating the tricky waters of land subdivision.
Key Take Aways
- Avoid firm, lump-sum prices for entire subdivision processes due to the unpredictable nature of the work involved. Both surveyors, Kyle and Landon, agreed that it’s challenging to provide an accurate fixed cost upfront because of the variability in jurisdictional requirements and potential issues that may arise. They suggest phasing the work and being transparent about costs to manage client expectations.
- Educate clients about the true costs and complexities of subdivisions. Many clients, especially those new to land development, underestimate the expenses and work involved. It’s crucial to have open conversations, set realistic expectations from the beginning, and even use documents outlining potential pitfalls to ensure clients understand the scope and potential challenges.
- Implement strategies for tracking and billing time spent on research, coordination, and problem-solving. Surveyors often spend significant time on tasks beyond the actual survey work, such as coordinating with various parties, answering client questions, and resolving unexpected issues. To ensure fair compensation, it’s important to track this time and bill accordingly, possibly using retainers to cover these “extra” requests.
- Consider the surveyor’s role in land use planning and decide on an approach. Kyle prefers to focus on survey matters and avoid land use planning, while Landon incorporates land use planning into his services. The source notes that there are trade-offs to each approach. Kyle directs clients to the appropriate planning professionals when necessary, while Landon takes on more of a land use planning role to be more full-service.