Consulting engineer
The term ‘engineer’ is a very broad one, covering a wide range of disciplines who use the sciences and mathematics to develop solutions for technical applications. Typically on a construction project, a structural engineer and building services engineer will be part of the core consultant team, but other specialist expertise may also be required, such as; fire engineer, water engineer, thermal engineer, environmental engineer and so on.
A consulting engineer (or consultant engineer) provides expert assistance and guidance to clients on planning, design and construction issues. This may be necessary on complex projects, or where specific expertise is required to tackle a particular problem. A consulting engineer can be employed for the whole duration of a projects, from inception and feasibility to completion and operation or for specific phases as required.
Clients of consulting engineers can include construction contractors, government bodies, local authorities, private companies, other consultants and so on. The duties of a consulting engineer will vary depending on the nature of the projects and the area of engineering expertise required. Some consulting engineering companies will offer a range of engineering capabilities, allowing them to cater for a wide variety of projects, whilst others may specialise in one particular area..
Consulting engineers are commonly employed to work alongside other project team members and can be required to provide design, project management, coordination, site inspection and contract administration services. They can provide insights that will help to optimise the project in relation to materials use, cost, programme, safety, design, infrastructure, construction defects and failures and so on.
A client’s selection criteria for appointing a suitable consulting engineer might include:
- Professional competence and integrity.
- Specialist knowledge.
- Experience.
- Impartiality.
- Managerial ability.
- Availability of resources.
- Fee.
Methods of seeking information on the above may include:
- Pre-qualification information from the consultant.
- Interviews.
- Examining the consulting engineer’s systems and methods of work.
- Contacting and gaining feedback from previous clients.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Highlighting the health benefits of home improvement.
Pavilions for music, entertainment, and leisure. Book review.
Broadening our understanding of Dublin’s chequered social history.
What are those little green huts?
The charm of London's Cabmen's shelters.
Future Weather Files research tool looking for feedback.
Exploring the Colour Rendering Index.
Why it's important to find out what went wrong.
ECA reviews the shape of the construction job market.
Why proper room acoustics make a difference.
Initiative puts gas networks on the path to net zero.
WICE Woman Architectural Technologist of the Year 2019.
Traditional low-energy approaches to comfort.
Revisiting the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in Ashford.
USA In-Use Version 6 is now available.
The rise of architectural barbarism.
In contentious political contexts heritage can be more fractious.
Civil engineering and the digital transformation.