You have been working on your real estate project and are now at the critical stage where you have to decide if you should hire an engineering consultant or not. You are asking if you should navigate the road ahead under the guidance of an engineering consultant. Are the benefits of hiring one worth the cost? This is an important decision that could affect the final cost and quality of your project. As the J. Butler Property Management team warns, mistakes made at the beginning of a building project are very hard to correct afterward. So it is important to make the right decision now.
What is an Engineering Consulting Service?
An Engineering Consulting Service provides the independent technology-based engineering expertise that is needed for the planning, design, supervision, construction, and maintenance of all types of construction projects. They liaise with clients during the ideation, initiation, implementation, and completion phases of a project. The goal of the consultant is to ensure that the project meets all of a client’s stated objectives.
Engineering consultants plan, control, and supervise projects based on six parameters; size, complexity, quality, productivity, completion time, and cost. They use these to ensure the timeliness and cost-effectiveness of the project. Engineering consultants may consist of teams of highly-qualified engineers and building-related professionals, offering comprehensive services. Or they may be specialized in a specific area of engineering.
The specific services provided by Engineering Consulting firms are:
- They translate the client’s ideas into reality by scrutinizing the preparation of structural drawings and designs.
- In complex structures, they ensure complete safety and economy by acting as proof consultants to cross-check the project design.
- They ensure the financial reliability of cost estimates and oversee the tendering process
- They manage and supervise project engineers on behalf of the client.
- They oversee the work of subcontractors on the projects.
- They organize the project logistics, procurement, and supply chain to ensure efficiency.
- They offer advice on important matters, such as plant/equipment selection, building materials, and other things.
- They liaise with other professionals, suppliers, manufacturers, and local authorities.
- They do a lot more depending on the needs of a client and their project.
6 Things an Engineering Consulting Service can do for your project
Having an engineering consulting firm working with you on your project will bring the following benefits:
Expertise, specialized skill, and experienced advice
There are so many dimensions to a building project that it is near-impossible for owners to negotiate them without mistakes or delays. Issues range from architectural designs to environmental concerns, government regulations, site preparation, insurance, litigation, and more. By hiring an engineering consultant, project owners secure a trusted and experienced ally who will guide them through every aspect of the project.
Ongoing support throughout the lifetime of the project
Because an engineering consultant will be there throughout the project duration, they have a complete overview of it, from start to finish. Unlike other professionals and subcontractors, they can offer advice that takes the different aspects and phases of the project into consideration. The engineering consultant is there to help you resolve issues with planning, procurement, managing change orders, dealing with warranties, and handling close-out documentation. This not only saves you time and money, but it also helps you avoid costly mistakes.
Help you save money
Real estate projects are prone to go beyond budget; construction costs, supplies, and contingencies are things that can push a project past budget. But engineering consultants use their systems and networks to keep a project within cost. They can negotiate bulk discounts on supplies because they work with vendors regularly. They also have the systems and expertise to keep construction costs low because they watch over the building process and know where problems are likely to occur.
They keep the project on schedule
Building projects that take longer than planned cost the owner more money. And building projects are notoriously hard to keep on schedule. Some delays on the project are caused by factors outside the owner’s control, like weather, but most result from lack of experience. Engineering consulting firms have systems that enable them to keep a project on schedule and, in some cases, accelerate its completion. They can save you even more money by saving you time.
Help with finding the right suppliers and contractors
The engineering consultant relieves you of the burden of finding and qualifying suppliers and contractors for the project. They have a network comprising the best suppliers, specialists, and contractors, and know which ones are most suited to your project. Moreover, being very familiar with the construction process, they can anticipate the needs of the project. This allows them to schedule the right supplies, specialists, and contractors for every phase of the project.
Offer a fresh perspective on the construction industry
Engineering consultants are at the forefront of the latest trends and techniques in the construction industry. They help project owners take advantage of the latest building construction innovations for the benefit of their projects.
In conclusion, for every dollar you spend to hire an engineering consulting service, they will save you, at least, two. That is in addition to the improved quality of your project and relatively stress-free construction experience.
