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Atterbury & Associates, Inc.
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(F) 707.433.0135
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5 Questions to Ask when Hiring a Civil Engineering Consultant

5/23/2016

15 Comments

 
Civil Engineer Santa Rosa
When choosing a civil engineering consultant, many businesses focus on the most cost-effective proposal. However, often the lowest price doesn’t ensure your needs are met. When the consultant understands and meets your needs, the result can be a long-term working relationship. So what should you ask when hiring a consulting engineer? 
  1. Do you foresee any unique challenges with this project? Foreseeing challenges before they become problematic and including workable solutions into the process sets apart the best consultants from the average ones. Look for a firm that acknowledges the unique challenges of your project. 
  2. Is my input welcome during the development process? Because you know your system better than anyone, it is essential to identify incorrect information and address the issues early. The result is a better design and smoother construction process.
  3. What are your response times to my emails and phone calls? Response times between projects and phases differ, so be sure to clarify your expectations. If you expect fast responses, reach an agreement with the engineer prior to hiring them.
  4. How often should I expect communication from you? The frequency of regular feedback on your project’s progress will vary but should include weekly or monthly updates, timelines, milestones, and budget.
  5. What do you bring to the table that other engineers don’t? Many engineering firms can provide the services you need, so it is important to look for characteristics that distinguish them from others. 
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Selecting the best civil engineering consultant facilitates open communication throughout the project while soliciting your input on each step.

Let Us Help
For more details on questions to ask when hiring a civil engineering consultant, contact one of the skilled experts at Atterbury & Associates today at 707-433-0134. Like us on Facebook, find us on Google+, and subscribe to our blog.
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5 Tips for Hiring a Civil Engineering Firm

4/9/2015

23 Comments

 
Civil Engineers shaking hands in Sonoma county
If you’re in the market for a civil engineering firm, it is important that you choose one that is right for your project. No matter what type of consultation, planning or management that you are in need of, the right civil engineering firm should have certain criteria met. There are five things you should keep in mind when choosing the right company for your project.

1- Experience with similar projects. 
Of course one of the most important things to consider when choosing a civil engineering firm is to ensure that they have done the type of work that you need done in the past. You can usually do this by checking their references and credentials, but be sure that you don’t contact a company that works with only bridges to plan an apartment complex! 

2- Land-use knowledge. 
Be sure that the company you are selecting is able to quickly come up with the right use of land ideas and policies. If the civil engineering firm that you’re interested in doesn’t know how to properly use the land in your area, they might not be the best choice for your project.

3-Check references and credentials. 
Remember that anyone can refer you to a company that might not be what you are looking for. To avoid having a bad match-up, or a civil engineering firm that does not hold up to their side of the contract, be sure to check their references. Any respectable company will be able to show certifications on request, and be able to reference past customers.

4-Don’t base your decision on price alone. 
Although pricing is a factor, remember that sometimes the lowest bidder is the lowest quality. If you need quality work done, don’t just consider the pricing, think about the big picture and what paying a few extra dollars is going to help you achieve!

5-Verify insurance.
 Since civil engineering projects are typically quite extensive and could cause a great deal of damage if done improperly, it is vital that you verify that the civil engineering firm you’ve chosen has insurance. You can do this by asking to see their policy, and calling the issuing company to double-check their coverage limits. Most companies are required to hold an insurance policy, so be sure to check their credibility and their limits.

Contact a civil engineering firm that will help you achieve your goals. For more information on starting your next project in the Sonoma County area, contact Atterbury & Associates today! Find us on Facebook or Google+ and subscribe to our blog. 
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At what step do I hire a Civil Engineering Company?

3/18/2015

26 Comments

 
When to hire a civil engineering company
A civil engineer serves a very important purpose and is an essential part of many different types of projects. Civil engineers are often utilized for their extensive knowledge of the land planning process as well as many regulatory aspects involved in construction work. Civil engineering companies are responsible for preparing construction documents, permits and determines work compliance in accordance to such documents. 

It is important to determine at what step you need to hire a civil engineer for your project. Civil engineering company are often required for construction projects for the preliminary evaluation, as they do things like survey the land, determining the size and boundaries of a property. A civil engineering company also determines what permits are required when building residential and commercial properties as well as inspecting them to make sure they meet the requirements of local building codes. You will find that a civil engineer plays an important part in many different steps throughout the design, construction, and building processes. Performing preliminary work before construction even starts, doing design and plan preparation, as well as inspecting improvements after they have been built. 

When it comes to construction projects, whether residential or commercial, it is not uncommon for a civil engineering company to be present on a daily basis to make sure that the work done meets local codes and that there are no violations of any kind. A civil engineering company is also responsible for inspecting and analyzing the proposed construction plans for the project to make sure that the construction is in compliance with approved plans. 

Every construction project, no matter what kind, needs to have a civil engineer to help with all of the details and technicalities. Civil engineers possess an extensive knowledge of building codes and other regulations that contractors and builders will need to follow when building any type of structure. 

For more information on how to go about finding the best civil engineer for your project, contact Atterbury & Associates today! You can also find them on Facebook, add them on Google+, or subscribe to their website’s blog to get up to date information about the civil engineering industry.
26 Comments

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