A Day in the Life of a Land Surveyor

As I was compiling a list of books to place on this site, I started thinking of some of the memorable things that happened during my many years of active practice. Some days are remembered for the challenges, and some for the humerous incidents.

One such incident occurred when a long time client, a custom home bulder, called me out to look at a lot where he was to build a house. The lot had an elevation difference of approximately 20 feet in a lot width of 80 to 100 feet.

It was rocky and had trash that had accumulated through years of being the only remaining vacant lot in the subdivision. Obviously, it would require a topographic survey in order to determine the best placement and wall elevations of the proposed house.

I looked around, and asked him, “What kind of idiot would buy a lot like this to build a house?’ He looked at me, smiled and replied, “This is going to be my house. I’m building this one for myself.”

Fortunately, he saw the humor, and we still laugh about that conversation.