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Solar Panel SIte

Solar Panel SIte

Solar Panel SIte

(OP)
Hy guys ! I have one quick question ... I have worked in landsurveying for over 7 years now but I want to go free lancer at this point. I got a contract for a stake-out point in a solar panel site. Around 12.000 - 14.000 points have to be stake out. My question is ... How much should I charge? How much money will be ok to ask ? There will be 2 - 3 teams of landsurveyors. Each team with a enginere and a helper. With 2 cars. The place is in Romania and I live here. Any help will be apreciated.

Thanks

RE: Solar Panel SIte

You will have to talk with someone on the ground there that has some experience in the local ways of doing things and practices there - It is not a all technical problem and cannot be precise.

The actual costs can have wide ranges. Some of the causes are time delays, housing (range of 200%) and the usual ridiculous tips/fees that are not fixed or governed legally.

Dick

Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.

RE: Solar Panel SIte

I am confused, you need 3-teams to stake 12-14 points. Or, did you mean 12-14 locations that need topo survey?

I am not a surveyor, but, we estimate fees using individuals rates and hours + the overhead (162%) + profit (10%) which roughly equates to a 2.9 multiplier for a total fee. You will also have trucks and mobilization to contend with as well plus any additional office time (administration) and of course your equipment cost to factor into your estimate.

RE: Solar Panel SIte

I assume he's using the continental full stop where we in the UK and you colonials use the comma to separate thousands, i.e. 12,000 to 14,000 points.

RE: Solar Panel SIte

(OP)
Yes it's correct 12,000 - 14,000 so that is a lot of points ! The think is that I am no business manager and usually I undercharged just to have the costumer satisfaction . But times are bad and I may lose my job. That's why I want to go freelancer.

RE: Solar Panel SIte

StormBobo:
You say you are.... “no business manager and usually I undercharged just to have the costumer satisfaction.” If you are going to do this, you better start to become a business manager real quickly. And, you should have learned something about the cost and process of running surveying crews and the cost of surveying projects over the last seven years. If you haven’t learned this, you may be getting in over your head. Are you registered as a surveyor, do you have to be for this job? I’ll bet there are dozens of points on each line, for some economy; assuming you have the experience and surveying software and equipment to take advantage of this. While a reasonable fee for your surveying effort is important, you do have to pay all your bills too; ‘costumer satisfaction’ usually really comes from a job properly, timely and well done, not low cost alone. When (if) you charge too little, you tend to get sloppy, quick-n-dirty, to make ends meet, and that usually works to no one’s advantage, in the final analysis. Also, you gotta pay the crews first, before you get your cut, so be careful.

RE: Solar Panel SIte

Don't go freelance until you know how to charge a customer a just price. You will go broke faster than you will lose your job.

Independent events are seldomly independent.

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