FAQs
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
I decided to study Civil Enginering, majoring in structural design and contruction, at Drexel University, in Philadelphia, because I excelled at math and sciences in high school. While at Drexel, I had three cooperative education periods and worked as a land surveyor, structural engineer and civil engineer. Upon graduation, I worked for two years with a bridge and highway design firm, travelling around the United States, before returning to Philadelphia to get married and raise a family. In the years that followed, I worked as a Structural Engineer designing buildings, as a Civil Engineer designing subdivisions and land developments, and as a Land Surveyor supporting the engineering work. I continued offering those services when I set up my own practice in 1983. However, after my first decade in private practice, it was clear I had to make a major decision about the form of my practice. Should I continue to grow, seek out large projects, hire employees, rent bigger offices and take on an administrative role in my firm? Or, do I want to have a small, "boutique" practice that is flexible, and tends to the needs of the homeowner or small business? I decided that keeping my practice small and personal was the better way to serve my clients. I don't design large projects such as major subdivisions and land developments because they are too complex and time consuming for one person to handle. I provide land surveying & design services for building permits. I prepare minor subdivision & minor land development plans, assist with residential zoning matters and work with property owners to reduce or eliminate flood insurance premiums. Today, I continue to personally attend to the needs of my clients, providing surveying and engineering services in a manner that best fits their needs.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Please verify that the person working for you has the correct professional license for the work being performed, in the state in which your property is located. If you need a Land Surveyor in Pennsylvania, the person should be a Registered Professional Land Surveyor. If you need an Engineer, the person should be a Registered Professional Engineer. Find, and check, references. Get a written proposal and ask questions if there is anything you don't understand. When comparing services, compare "apples to apples." Verify that the work will meet, or exceed, your needs. Lastly, you should feel comfortable with your decision and believe the person you are hiring has your needs and interests as his/her top priority.