Engineering consulting firms may provide inclusive services. But other consultants specialize in specific areas — like structural, geotechnical, and environmental. Typically, the necessity for engineering services is based on the nature of a project and the owner's capability. The services provided by the consultant or firm add value to the project and can improve its quality overall.
We’ll discuss the types of services engineering consulting firms provide in further detail below.
Types of services provided by engineering consulting firms
Engineering consulting firms offer services that can be categorized into two classes:
- Consultation, investigation, and studies
- Design and construction
Consultation, investigation, and studies
Engineering consultants are involved in the collection, interpretation, and reporting of information as well as in providing conclusions and recommendations. Consultations that may be offered and that fall into this category include:
- Preliminary investigation and reports: These services involve comprehensive research, analysis of conditions, and comparing different solution options for the project. Factors like environmental impact, risk management, sustainable development, life cycle cost, operating and capital costs, and financial considerations should be used to provide conclusions and recommendations.
- Planning studies: This includes preparing land development plans, urban plans, and regional plans, generating facility master plans, carrying out corridor studies, and conducting environmental studies.
- Public involvement: The person who owns the project will need help creating a concept and putting together details to present to the public and before government departments.
- Appraisal, valuations, and rate studies: These services offered by engineering consulting firms include studying and analyzing current situations, evaluating capital and overhead costs, and anticipating future costs to recommend application rates in the future.
Design and construction
Engineering consulting firms can also advise on building design and construction. The entire process needs engineering services which are explained below:
- Studying and reporting: The main task during the study and reporting phase includes establishing the scope and cost of the project and evaluating viable alternatives.
- Preliminary design: During this phase, the size, scope, and location of the project are established. The consultant is responsible for revising its initial report and available data, discussing schedules, and deciding with the owner on the supplementary information demanded during the studying and reporting phase.
- Final design: Preliminary design is improved and completed to the extent that construction can be assessed and executed. The primary duties of engineering consultants include preparing contract plan drawings and specifications, presenting project construction costs, and reviewing construction practicality.
- Bidding or negotiating: In this stage, consultants would help the owner in bidding achievement, receiving and processing deposits for bidding documents, and changing records as needed.
- Construction phase: During this phase, engineering consultants act as a representative of the project owner and carry out any work pertaining to the construction. This could include monitoring work progression and quality and providing administration services.
- Complete the project: Engineering consultants may be asked to develop a manual for the operation and maintenance requirements of the structure and determine structure deficiencies.
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