FS - Fundamentals of Surveying Surveying Business and Ethics Questions and Answers

Question 1

A surveyor is hired to perform a boundary survey and discovers that a fence, believed by the client to be the property line, encroaches significantly onto the neighbor's property according to the record documents.
The client demands that the surveyor show the fence as the boundary line on the final plat.
What is the surveyor's most ethical course of action?

Accepted Answer

Show both the record boundary line and the location of the fence, clearly labeling each and noting the encroachment.

Answer

Show only the record boundary line and make no mention of the fence to avoid conflict.

Answer

Resign from the project immediately, citing a conflict of interest with the client.

Answer

Show the fence as the boundary as requested by the client to ensure payment and good relations.

Question 2

A surveying firm agrees to perform a large topographic survey for a client for a single, predetermined price, regardless of the actual hours or expenses the firm ultimately incurs. This type of agreement is BEST known as which type of contract?

Accepted Answer

Lump Sum

Answer

Time and Materials

Answer

Cost-Plus

Answer

Unit Price

Question 3

Which of the following best defines the 'standard of care' as it applies to a professional land surveyor?

Accepted Answer

The duty to exercise the degree of skill and care ordinarily employed by other reputable surveyors practicing under similar circumstances.

Answer

The duty to use the most expensive and technologically advanced equipment available for every project.

Answer

The guarantee that all measurements and conclusions are completely free from any error.

Answer

The requirement to perform services exactly as dictated by the client, regardless of professional judgment.

Question 4

A licensed surveyor in State A is asked by a client to perform a boundary survey just across the state line in State B, where the surveyor does not hold a license. The surveyor is familiar with the area and knows the technical procedures are similar. What is the surveyor's correct and ethical response?

Accepted Answer

Decline the work, explaining that they are not licensed to practice surveying in State B.

Answer

Perform the fieldwork but hire a licensed surveyor in State B to review and seal the plat.

Answer

Perform the survey as requested, since it is a small project and they have the technical skills.

Answer

Advise the client that they can only perform the work if they partner with a licensed State B surveyor who will be in responsible charge.

Question 5

A surveyor creates a detailed and original plat of survey for a client. Unless specified otherwise in a contract, who generally holds the copyright to the prepared plat?

Accepted Answer

The surveyor or surveying firm that created the plat.

Answer

The client who paid for the survey.

Answer

The government agency where the plat is recorded.

Answer

The plat is in the public domain and cannot be copyrighted.

Question 6

According to the NCEES Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which of the following actions is generally considered unethical for a professional surveyor?

Accepted Answer

Offering a commission or fee to a non-surveyor for the referral of potential clients.

Answer

Advertising professional services in a local business journal.

Answer

Submitting a competitive bid for a project that is also being bid on by other surveyors.

Answer

Performing pro bono (free) services for a local charitable organization.