Construction Consultants
From time to time, an owner or contractor finds that a project requires a skill or process for which he or she is ill-equipped. In these cases, a contractor can call a construction consultant to fill whatever role or need the project requires. Construction consultants come in all types and capabilities, aiding a crew in aspects as diverse as site preparation, material selection, preparing legal papers, cost-benefit analyses, and training.In general, these consultants fall into three categories: those that perform a specific service for the project, those that fill more traditional construction project roles, and those that train crews, managers, and owners.
Service Consultants
Both owners and contractors want to minimize the risks involved in any construction project. To keep potential costs and litigation low, service consultants are usually hired to oversee certain technical aspects. Many firms have on staff geologists to aid in laying a strong foundation. Others specialize in offering attorneys who prepare and review contracts, permits, claims and litigation.
These lawyers may also be trained mediators and arbiters in cases where such services may be required. In the case of a complex technical project, most firms have engineers on staff as well to make sure a project will be structurally sound and that the materials used are the most cost effective for their durability. When legal cases do arise, many construction consulting firms offer their consultants as “expert witnesses.”
Project Consultants
Another type of consultant often enlisted on construction projects fills the role of managers. In particular, these project consultants utilize software and methods that would normally be unavailable to a smaller contractor or construction manager to increase the efficiency of workers, aid in materials acquisition, and track costs. These consultants often stay on for the entire project, working with owners and contractors to ensure that the entire process runs smoothly.
In most instances, these individuals take on the role of project or construction manager. However, it is important to note that using a consultant as a full-time employee may not be cost effective. Instead, it is probably best to fill these positions with contractors or employees, and leave the consultant to a more advisory position.
Training
While hiring a consultant to work on a project as a member of the management team may seem to be the best option, it can be costly. As such, it may be better to hire a consulting firm to train existing
employees in the use and execution of cost saving procedures and software programs.
Most construction consultancy firms offer ongoing seminars and training classes in subjects as diverse as ISO 9000, project management, delay claims, scheduling and planning, cost controls, estimating, quality control, and negotiation tactics for contracts and litigation. These options allow a company to grow, while still taking advantage of the cost and liability saving measures a consultant can provide.