Who Is A Consulting Engineer?
A consulting engineer in a construction project provides sound technical expertise independently of the hired contractors.
These engineers primarily work with the client, and help them plan, design, and supervise all site works.
In most construction projects, the hired consultants are part of a larger firm, and must be registered with the local engineering council to be able to practice. They are also forbidden by law to have any commercial affiliations with suppliers, contractors, and manufacturers.
Why Hire A Consulting Firm?
Unless they can afford to be proactive, clients generally don’t have the time to monitor site activities themselves, which can lead to major complications once the structure is off the ground. This is where engineering consultants in UAE come into play.
It’s worth remembering that most contractors are primarily concerned with saving money wherever and whenever possible, even if it means illegally undermining certain aspects of the project.
If left to their own devices, contractors have been known to do this by bypassing construction standards, using outdated equipment, compromising concrete quality, and installing subpar and cheap fittings.
Since they understand the construction process better than most clients do, these contractors are also experts at hiding these infringements by plastering over the cracks, and decorating the walls with premium paints.
No matter how many guarantees a contractor may provide, it’s advisable that you hire a consulting firm for your projects to oversee all site matters on your behalf.
The Functions And Responsibilities Of The Hired Engineer
The functions and responsibilities of the consulting engineer are as follows:
- The preparation, design, and scrutiny of all structural, electrical, HVAC, and architectural drawings.
- The preparation of as-built structural, electrical, HVAC, and architectural drawings relating to the nature of work completed on the site.
- Inviting tenders from multiple manufacturers and deciding on the choice of manufacturer for all fittings in tandem with the client.
- Supervising site work and ensuring construction standards are maintained.
- Ensuring all relevant site activities are being completed on time.
- Acting as an advisor to the contractor’s engineers in case of any alteration to the structural details from the client.
- Overseeing all repair and maintenance works whenever needs arise.
- Keeping the client informed on the progress and quality of work on-site through daily and monthly reports.
- Organizing site visits for the client staff.
Selection Of Consultant
In selecting a consultant from one of the many engineering companies in UAE, you’ll want to keep several things in mind, like their relevant experience, history with other clients, staff available, and their area of expertise.
Most clients often hire multiple consultants for each aspect of the construction process (one each for MEP, structural design, monitoring site activities, and legal matters) to ensure the project meets all requirements of standard and is completed well within the scheduled time.
