I am fairly experienced with construction having worked for a general contractor for a number of years. I've also done two extensive remodels on homes in the Santa Cruz mountains and in San José. So when I started working with Hogan in April 2019 on two different projects, it started out OK. I liked the idea that they had multiple disciplines of civil, structural and surveyors available. Seemed like that would save some time and make communication easier. The first project was a simple home foundation inspection which they were able to deliver on in a tight time frame in Boulder Creek. So after that, I started work with them on a larger project which was an initial design for an out-building. While the individual engineers on the job seemed capable, there was a continual push to do work and to draw up plans that I did not ask for. They insisted on drawing up plans for county approval when I was just trying to get a contractor estimate. This meant there were additional charges above and beyond the proposal. It was difficult in that I had to track the hours they were spending. When I asked for an accounting for the time they were charging to the program, it was difficult to get answers. They were also weeks and ultimately months behind on providing the sketches that I had asked for so that I could get a quote package. The engineers seemed to be working on other projects but still managed to charge me almost 50% more than our initial proposal. Even the discussions about the overages dragged on to the extent that I paid them so that I wouldn't have to keep leaving voice messages and emails that did not get returned. I rarely leave negative reviews, but feel compelled to save others the expense and hassle. I am going back to working with individual structural and civil engineers who are focused on getting the job done versus billing hours for work that may not be needed. read more

My husband and I had a really good experience with Geoff, and we were very appreciative that he came out to Felton to help us assess the foundation of a house that we had put an offer on 5 days prior. We were desperate to find a structural engineer who could tell us what kind of foundation our how was built on: many of the other general home inspectors we hired noticed how strange, cracked, and "undermined" it was. We were given only 5 days to do inspections because the market is crazy right now, and we called every structural or civil engineer in Santa Cruz to see if they could come take a look at the house and do a proper assessment. Everyone said "No" immediately, and they told us they were booked out for months, but a really nice receptionist at Hogan Land Services booked us an appointment with Geoff. He was at the property when we arrived and spent a lot of time with us in the basement and crawlspace detailing the problem areas. He was very knowledgeable and explained things in basic analogies to help us understand the problems with the foundation. Through his thorough inspection of the whole house (which we were extremely grateful for because he found some very alarming problems with the chimney - which was breaking off the house), he made us feel very comfortable about walking away from the house knowing that it would probably call for tens of thousands of dollars of repair if not more. The fact that he pointed out things to us that we didn't see and that other inspectors didn't see made us feel like we really dodged a bullet by not buying the house. Thank you for your kindness and willingness to help us on such short notice Geoff! read more

I reached out to Hogan Land Services to help me review plans for a house in Santa Cruz. Geoff got back to me right away and was able to talk me through all of the county's records and each of the notes that needed to be addressed. He was patient and incredibly informative. It's clear that Geoff works closely with Santa Cruz County and actually knew most of the reviewers on the documentation. I couldn't imagine a better experience or a more helpful engineer talking me through all of the paperwork. I would highly recommend Hogan in the future and we plan to reach out to them for any future guidance. read more

Complete gong show and thats being nice. As another reviewer wrote, came back after quoting and doing work and said it was more complicated hugely increasing bill. Said they couldn't find a monument but estimated. Two years later when we called to have it explained to a neighbor so a proper fence could be placed on the property line, they no showed twice. Wouldn't return calls. Finally sent a lackey out for 5 minutes who basically said we should call his boss to make another appointment. Of course he wouldn't return calls again. They then sent an invoice for two hours work! ($390) Contacted another surveyor who responded immediately. Retraced property line quickly and professionally. He DID find the monuments. Said Hogan was off by a couple of feet. COMPLETELE MESS! If you want professionals, this is NOT the company! read more

We needed to have our property lines surveyed and marked to settle an issue with a neighbor. They outlined 3 possible steps needed depending on the situation. If existing monuments were found, we could just get them found and marked. If there was intrusion from the neighbor, we could get a map drawn to show the intrusion and if a monument was not found and needed replacement we could get it replaced and recorded with the county. For us, all the monuments were found and marked so there was no need for any replacements (saving some $$). A great map was produced to show the intrusion with our neighbor. The survey team worked on site one afternoon and I had a map a few days later. read more

Thanks to the Hogan Land Service team for their guidance and helping to get my permit !

We needed guidance and plans for removing a wall in our house. They were able to move quickly and get us into the permitting process. Our project wasn't huge but were willing to help and able to start the job sooner than other structural engineering firms. read more

Wanted to say thank you to this company for actually caring about my client! I am a real estate broker in Montery Co. and found out that my client's leach field had failed. We were in escrow on their home and my clients had to move do to her husband getting in a bad accident. They had to simplify and do this fairly quickly do to their house payment and now one income. I ended up somehow finding Hogan Land Services and when nobody else had the time to help, this company and an amazing gentleman, Richie took the time and jumped on this project for us. We had already entered escrow on a more affordable home that my clients could take a deep breath and afford the house payment on. If it wasn't for Richie and the intelligent staff at Hogan Land Services, along with Sal Casillas at Rural Septic Technologies we would have lost both escrows. They were amazing, and I am so grateful to these people for my clients! Sincerely, Heather Masuen Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Best Life read more

Extremely helpful and informative. Adam provided me with a very clear proposal with estimate and description of work. Emails were answered very promptly, professionally, and with great insight. Highly recommend! read more

I had my land surveyed prior to building my house, and Hogan Land Services did a great job getting the survey and maps completed as scheduled. They even provided some guidance on topography for the building site that I was not expecting, but turned out to be very helpful for my build! read more

We contacted Hogan Land Services via email. I provided them with two project addresses and the scope of work to be performed. THEY REPLIED IMMEDIATELY TO OUR INQUIRY, and advised that they'd get back to us in a few days with a complete proposal. Within a few days, JUST LIKE THEY PROMISED, they emailed us a complete proposal for each project. Their proposal also outlined their services and any potential extra fees. They even provided an approximated time schedule for completion, once they received their retainer. So, as promised, they followed up with a complete proposal . We mailed their deposits and they contacted us to schedule the dates to perform the work. They arrived on the date/time as promised and worked without hesitation, until they were completed. We were provided with both .pdf and .dwg (CAD) formats of their survey / topographical / property maps. The CAD format will be useful as we proceed with our property development and designs. Not the least expensive, they were priced in the middle of the bids that we received. They did offer to survey the entire property - not just the area of proposed development. So, the clients received maximum value for their money! They answered their emails promptly and kept us updated as to their progress. When they promised to follow up on something, they did. We did not have to pester them to follow through on something or to get back to us. From the beginning to the end, when they said they would do something - THEY DID IT, AS PROMISED. Now, that's the way to run a business! read more

Our project was given to Geoff, he has been so easy to work with and has been helpful and timely!

I saw an add for Hogan Land Services on television and called them to request a quote to provide a boundary survey at my house in Santa Cruz Hogan performed the survey work and then called me to tell me that the work took longer than expected and that they were going to charge me a lot more than what the proposal originally said it was going to charge. Also when the survey crew came out to my house to perform the work, the work they performed was very rushed and the wooden stakes they set on my property line were very messy and illegible. The whole time they were in my back yard I could hear them talking about how much they disliked the company they worked for and how they wanted new jobs. There are a lot of other companies that perform engineering and survey work in Santa Cruz and I would not recommend Hogan. read more

I called for guidance on a property line question. The receptionist took down some basic info and when Adam called back he had already researched the parcels and was able to give us 3 options rather than trying to shove us towards the most expensive choice. We found a stake by digging (part of his guidance) and at this time don't need any more assistance. However, if we do require a proper survey they will be the first folks we contact. read more

Hogan Land Services was responsive and easy to work with. I needed a boundary line survey. They showed up on time and were able to quickly find the monuments that I had been unable to locate myself and complete the survey including 3 additional property line markers for a reasonable cost. read more

My general contractor recommended Hogan land services to survey our parcel for the new fences. After a $1,000 deposit and signed contract they came out and spent the morning looking for monuments. Then it was back to the office for research. Then days later I hear from my contractor that they want more money beyond the contract because they couldn't find but one corner of the lot. Trying to reach Adam was an effort. All calls are routed to Santa Rosa. You don't even deal with anyone local. Boy was I stupid to hire this company. Customer service was a zero. Bottom line is I spent over $3,000 for absolutely nothing. I received nothing from Hogan but a very bad, unprofessional job. read more

Contacted them and forwarded pictures and described my needs as they requested. When I asked how much they charge to provide a report on my foundation they could not tell me. I was informed my information and photos were forwarded to their engineer. Hadn't heard back so I called again and inquired when I should hear back. There response was they could not tell me. I was told the engineer would get to it when they 'had time'. Asked for the contact information for their engineer and was told I could not contact them directly and the person who answered the phone could only relay a message. I asked to have her relay a message. It's been weeks since my initial contact and still have not heard back from anyone. What a horrible way to run a business. Guess they wanted me to hand them a blank check. If you actually are in need of an their services don't bother contacting them as they won't bother contacting you back. I contacted another company. They were very responsive, came out to inspect, and received a report within a matter of days of my initial contact. They also provided me with pricing up front. read more

This company's bid for doing structural engineering on a new single family residence was more than double other engineering bids.