3 Critical Assessment Areas When Seeking the Right Structural Engineering Partner

Posted on: 11 February 2019

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With the current slump in the construction industry, startup construction contractors are looking for ways to offer services that stand out from the competition. One way that startups can gain a competitive edge is by collaborating with the right structural engineering firm. However, just because an engineer graduated from the best engineering school does not mean that they are the best at what they do. Therefore, it is essential to assess potential structural engineers to find the right partner. That said, how do you go about identifying the right structural engineer? This article highlights guidelines that you can use to evaluate a potential structural engineering partner.

Holistic Approach — One of the most important indicators of an excellent structural engineer is the approach to a project. For instance, a firm that notices a problem and fixes the issue in isolation without considering other factors, such as the surrounding environment, is not the right partner for you. The reason is that structural engineering problems cannot be isolated from the surrounding environment within which the structure stands. Most importantly, the right partner will want to know the equipment that will be installed in the structure you are putting up, the movement of operators and personnel, and the average precipitation among other parameters.  

Ingenuity with Difficult Projects — Structural engineering is a complex field that requires engineers to be ingenious and think outside of the box most times. Challenges are prevalent in this field, and an engineer's response pretty much determines their worth. Therefore, you should do some background checks to find out if the potential structural engineer has worked on challenging projects before. If they haven't worked on anything challenging by industry standards, then you might want to interview the next engineer. However, if the prospective engineer has dealt with different challenging projects and devised creative solutions, then the candidate is the right partner.

Specialty — Structural engineers specialise in different building modes. For instance, some engineers specifically deal with concrete materials, while others specialise in steel or brick. Some focus on the development of commercial structures, such as malls and shopping centres, while others concentrate on safety against external factors, such as earthquakes and fires. If you are contracted to build a church, then there is no point of hiring an engineering firm that designs commercial skyscrapers. Choosing a structural engineer that suits your project will ensure that you get the best service.