Role of Consulting Engineers in Engineering Construction - ETA APME

A Consulting engineer is someone who is hired by clients to help in the planning, designing, supervising, building and maintenance work of various kinds of structures. They are hired on the basis of their vast wealth of knowledge, engineering background, qualifications and overall experience and expertise. 

The intrinsic job of a consulting engineer

A consulting engineer has much to contribute to engineering construction and on-site projects based on his experience and skills. Every such project, in order to be effective, must follow its timeline and budget and be completed within its specified time period and cost. To achieve this, certain other parameters must be constantly evaluated at various stages of the project. These include quality, productivity, time taken for completion, costs etc. It is the job of a consulting engineer to take care of these parameters right from planning, implementation, control and completion of the project.  

What is the role of consulting engineers in engineering construction?

The role of a consulting engineer in on-site projects can be enumerated as below-

• To go through plans of proposed projects that also comprises of the costs involved and the feasibility/ viability of the overall project in terms of the financial investment, Such feasibility reports that are needed to be prepared by consulting engineers must include if there are any additional requirements or special needs in the project, the estimated costs, their individual recommendations, comments, advice etc.
• They either study designs of the proposed structures or are involved in designing and preparation of the drawings themselves. After studying/ preparing plans and specifications of the blueprint, they brief the contractors about the way forward and advise them on the materials that need to be procured.
• They also play an important role in the tendering processes and supervisions
• Besides supervising tendering procedures, a mechanical engineering consulting firm also supervise the actual performance, giving valuable advice on the quality of workmanship
• They extend their expertise on matters such as picking the sites for setting up construction projects. The work may also involve travelling to the construction sites for inspection of the overall construction and use of equipment. They might also be required to approve other components such as elevators and other such electrical, plumbing works etc.
• The role of a consulting engineer also includes maintenance work on already standing structures.
• The safety of a project also falls within their area of responsibility and proofreading of project designs and proposals is also a part of their function
• A consultant engineer is required to be well versed with the latest in design techniques, technologies in the field of construction and any such modern developments in his field of work
• Their role also involves having the foresight to oversee potential glitches in workmanship, however minor they may be, at a nascent stage so as to prevent dangerous consequences in the future.

Hence it can be concluded that in construction, the role of an engineering consultant cannot be undermined. The best mechanical engineering consulting firms need to be engaged in such projects and at ETA APME we ensure the best in the business is served when it comes to consulting, training, sales, support and staffing. Use our engineering expertise to give shape to your dream project.