There are two types of surveying markets VRS is targeting -...

There are two types of surveying markets VRS is targeting - Consulting and Construction. Consulting has higher margins and can typically be revolve around project and land development and may require the sign off of a register surveyor.

Construction can extremely cut-throat and margins are low (10% or less). I thought VRS would be try to stay above the cut-throat prices being charged by the likes of Land Surveys, however I have heard they are now down there with them. It is not uncommon for these guys to be charging less than $100 p/h for a degree qualified surveyor, equipment (GPS or Total Station) and vehicle. This leaves the surveyor getting less than $50 and once overheads are paid, there is not much profit. VRS are hoping to grab a huge % of the market, to make it worthwhile. With the infrastructure boom happening in Melbourne and Sydney, demand for surveyors is high and an increase in chargeable rates should happen soon. Likely, they will resort to more 457 Eastern Europeans, that was typical of one of their acquisitions Geo-Metrics.