Land Surveying: Explore the Ethics of a land Surveyor in California

Posted by Calvada on November 4th, 2017

As in every other industry, dodgy service providers make it difficult to trust hired help. Fortunately, in regulated sectors, professionals are required to follow certain codes of ethics, thus helping clients protect themselves from dishonest characters. In land surveying, for instance, professional surveyors follow a clear set of standards and guidelines to keep the public’s mind at ease about the quality and integrity of the work they do.

A land surveyor must always have fairness in mind in all stages of a project. Clients and every other party involved in the project expect fairness in making assessments according to the evidences that have been handed to them. Even before a project should commence, a surveyor must come forward in honesty and full disclosure if there is a possibility of conflicting interest. Preserving an honest relationship with clients and other professionals is important in the land surveying business. According to the code of ethics that land surveyors follow, they should avoid any professional impropriety by disclosing any prior affiliations or involvement with the involved parties in every project they accept or are assigned to them. Just the same, they have the responsibility to keep information regarding any project as well as their clients confidential.

Ethical land surveyors in California are honest about what they charge clients. Overcharging for services usually happens when a dishonest surveyor knows or senses that the client isn’t informed about or has no knowledge of land surveying. However, an ethical surveyor will only charge you according to what’s fair, considering the amount of work they have done and the length of time that the project required. Land surveying has many technical complexities and surveyors typically use a range of equipment that cost much to own and maintain. This is usually the reason why certain land survey services cost as much as they do. This said, it is never right for a surveyor to overcharge a client, so be wary of companies that seem to charge too much for relatively simple surveys. Always do your own research as to the average cost of the services you require.

The same code of ethics dictate that land surveyors must never undermine other service providers’ capability in conducting their profession. Just the same, they should be honest about what they can and cannot do as well as the limitations of the technologies, equipment, or methods that they use. Surveyors must also take on the responsibility of enhancing their skills and improving their knowledge of newer processes and methodologies that help ensure the accuracy and quality of their service.

About the Author:

Armando Dupont, a professional land surveyor, started his career in surveying in 1977 and has extensive experience in managing personnel and projects. His experience includes: topographic mapping, boundary surveys and analysis, construction and control surveying, preparation of tract and parcel maps, earth work calculation and quantities, targeting and control for photogrammetric, and land title surveys in accordance with the American Land Title Association and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping. Mr. DuPont founded Calvada Surveying, Inc. in 1989 and is a licensed Professional Land Surveyor in the State of California.