As part of our effort to deconstruct the value of hiring various professionals (such as general contractors or architects) to assist in the development process, let’s take a look at a profession that has been critical in nearly every aspect of the built world: civil engineer.
Hiring a good civil engineer is essential for the success of a new commercial development project. Let’s go over some specifics of what civil engineers do, how to find one, and how they ultimately add value to a development project.
A Civil Engineer’s Role
Civil engineers conceptualize, design, build, supervise, operate, construct, and maintain public and private infrastructure projects. Many technical issues concerning the property, such as topographic, environmental, or utility constraints, can be identified by a civil engineer.
Master site plan support, master grading and drainage plans, utility plans, preliminary water and wastewater plans, and off-site earthwork analysis are specific services.
However, profiling a site may be just one aspect of a civil engineer’s job. They may also be in charge of determining appropriate building maintenance, evaluating zoning restrictions, analyzing existing utility capacities, and determining appropriate building maintenance.
Considerations When Hiring a Civil Engineer
When evaluating potential civil engineers to work with, there are several factors to consider. These elements are as follows:
Qualification
First and foremost, ensure that the civil engineer has all necessary licenses and permits from the appropriate government agencies. It ensures that the engineer has the proper credentials to do the job, which should help reduce liability.
Experience
The amount of quality exposure to the engineer’s design teams is a sign of experience and knowledge. Einstein correctly said, “the only source of knowledge is experience.”
Given that standards, laws, and procedures are constantly evolving, it is especially crucial to consider recent experience.
Understanding of Land Use
Civil engineers must be familiar with the most recent regulations and proposed regulatory changes because land-use laws are constantly changing. Major factors include experience and knowledge of utility, drainage, and grading plans.
In terms of experience, engineers must recently file submissions because land-use regulations can change dramatically in a short time.
Creativity
A good civil engineer can develop innovative solutions to complex development issues. When one or more individual components change, civil engineers must be able to predict how the interrelationships will change.
Furthermore, the complexities of financial and site constraints necessitate the development of site concepts that significantly increase the land’s value.
The Benefits of Hiring a Civil Engineer
A civil engineer is essential in assessing raw land and the infrastructure that supports development. From concept to completion, a civil engineer’s role encompasses all aspects of commercial development projects. And they provide tremendous value in adding value to your project throughout these phases.
Employing a civil engineer can offer:
Extra Watchfulness
Civil engineers add an additional level of oversight because they are experts in observing development operations and resolving problems.
Expertise in Compliance
Civil engineers’ knowledge of regulations and requirements provides expertise and assistance in assisting projects to meet those regulations.
Services for Management
Civil engineers are hired to oversee the implementation of each phase of construction to ensure that the specifications outlined in the project proposal are met.
Maximization of Value
Civil engineers can detect problems early in development, saving businesses money. They provide the ability to maximize value while minimizing development costs. For example, they may consider whether the cost of required earthwork outweighs the overall benefits.
Using a capable and experienced civil engineer can determine the direction of your project and is critical to the quality and success of the development plans.
******************************
Come join us! Email me at mark@dolphinpi.us to find out more about our next real estate investment.