Frequently Asked Questions

Are you a licensed surveyor?

No.  A Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS) is required for a boundary or legal survey associated with the transfer of real property.  I use Don King, and he’s available at (325) 646-3036 or kingland@harrisbb.com.  If all you need is a site plan/topo for an existing building or lot, I can do that.  I use a total station but can’t get you the fine accuracy that Don can.  I don’t mind shooting indoors if you have large rooms.

What’s the difference between an architect and an engineer?

Excellent and widely disputed question.  Both are licensed design professionals in the State of Texas and US.  It really depends on an individual’s education and experience because of the overlap.  My first degree was architecture (Environmental Design) from A&M, but I decided to go into civil engineering instead of getting my Master’s in Architecture.  Turned out to be a wise decision.

How much do you charge?

My hourly rate varies between $100 and $300 an hour.  There’s three things in life: time, money and risk.  For simple things with low risk, think on the low side.  If I’m risking my license, livelihood and god forbid my vacation for you, the price goes up.  If you can break your project down into my likely man-hours, you can come up with a decent estimate. 

The City of Brownwood said I have to have an engineer for my retaining wall?  How much for engineering services?

Chances are, zero.  Call me or come by.  We can do a work around most likely that doesn’t involve retaining walls.  Sloping back with Pavestone blocks works wonders and doesn’t require a building permit.  Then it becomes a bedding area.

Will my project be in 3D?  Like they show on HGTV?

Design professionals, new information to a lot of folks, have ALWAYS worked in 3D.  It’s what we do.  If you are referring to a 3D CAD file, I can provide that.  But why?  It’s no use to most contractors or building permit officials.  Just about everybody will want a set of 2D drawings anyway.  The finished project is the goal, not the plans or files. 

Do you have a 3D laser scanner?  Like on HDTV?

No.  See above. 

I have a Topcon ES-105 total station, a 5 second instrument, that’s reflectorless and lets me shoot any room in about 15 minutes – the 4 bottom corners on the floor and 4 corners of the ceiling.  That info will scare us both to death, trust me!  No, your house is not level, plumb or square.  Better for us both if we just accept the facts and design from there.  But if you have structural damage, my initial site survey will reveal that. 

Do you carry Professional Liability insurance?  How much?

Yes.  $1M.  It’s commonly referred to as Errors and Omissions.  I can increase the rate of coverage to match your project, but you’ll pay for it.  Just saying.

Are you a lawyer, too?

No.  The best $70K I ever spent was going to law school to realize I didn’t want to be a lawyer!  Besides, this is more fun.