Between Consultant and Contractor

Above is the two workforce team that considered most important elements in any construction project. It’s look like a face-off comparison between this two due to each scope of works in terms of role-play, organization, technical, financial, responsibility, compliance, and etc. This time the civil engineering tag-team takes on the spotlight onto the desk of Client’s project requirements. The clients could be from the government sector or the private sector that’s financing the project cost, in-demand high-quality of design and quality of structure, satisfactory and comfort of users, and risk-free guarantee.

The Consultant
The consulting civil engineers would liaise directly with clients to plan, design, supervise and manage the construction of projects. Besides that they will also collaborate with public service departments and other government related authorities. The consultant’s team is often small in numbers which consist of design engineer, in-house engineers (civil, mechanical and electrical), architect, quantity surveyor, and sometimes researcher.

This team is involved with the design, development and construction of a huge range of projects in the design-build and natural environment. Their role is central to ensuring the secure, timely and well-resourced completion of projects in numerous areas, including building construction, road or highway construction, geotechnical engineering, coastal expansion, waste management, and so forth. They work in a number of different settings, experience, and would take great responsibility towards project success.

Typical work routines for civil engineering consultant comprise of:

• undertaking technical, feasibility and analytical studies, plus site investigations,
• thinking both creatively and logically to resolve design and development problems,
• developing detailed design drawings (design and build), as well as reviewing, revision and approving project drawings, plus supervising tendering procedures and compiling together proposals,
• implementing all appropriate requirements around issues such as technical standards, building permits, environmental regulations, sanitary design, decent manufacturing practices and safety-first on all work places, etc.,
• take advantage in the usage of design computer packages for designing projects, undertaking complex and repetitive calculations, and shortening work process,
• managing change – Client changing thoughts about the design, and also identifying, formalizing and notifying to related parties upon any changes,
• ensuring the project progress runs smoothly and that the structure is completed on time and within given budget, as well as correcting any project deficiencies that affect production, quality and safety requirements prior to final evaluation and project reviews,
• others like compiling, checking and approving reports; scheduling material and equipment purchases, and delivery; managing, supervising and visiting contractors on site and advising on civil engineering matters.

The Contractor
Consulting engineers are the designers whereas contracting civil engineers would turn their plans into reality, often called The Doer. Contractor is defined as the builder of the major construction contract for the project. The organization would be larger in terms of workforce compared to consulting team. Te rewarded contract of project by client will work closely with its representative, the consultant throughout the construction timeframe.

In general the contractor’s team consists of technical, operation, laboratory, and workshop section. Within the Project Manager managements, they responsibility are to provide an adequate supplies of all material, manpower, equipment, machinery, transportation, tools, and services necessary for the construction of the project. Besides that they are to prepare suitable place for site office, material stockpile, workers quarters, batching plant, and laboratory and machinery workshop. In certain cases, it is common for the main contractor to employ sub-contractors for some parts of the work to other persons or companies that specialize in these types of work, such as electrical and mechanical works.

Typical work routines for civil engineering contractor comprise of:

• undertaking the coordination of entire construction, renovation or demolition of any structures at site,
• responsible for the means and methods to be used in the construction execution of the project in accordance with the contract documents,
• take into account in hiring skilled, efficient, trustworthy sub-contractors as it could jeopardize the construction work progress,
• ensuring full compliance of technical standards, building and workers permits, environmental regulations, safety and health on all project site, and so forth,
• despite the long hours of works, the workmanship and work progress should be maintain and should not be affect so much unless by natural courses such as rainfall,
• should look upon high demand hands-on skilled and experienced (besides academic) employee or workers for boosting work efficiency and effectiveness,
• in any circumstances that would affect or slowdown the project progress, they should find the best alternative ways or method in resolving it like hiring the third party,
• others like documenting every work progress and report in monthly basis, contact bidding, rectification works, maintenance works, and so on.

Conclusion
No matter in what workforce you are in, both consultant and contractor are very important despite their scope of works. Thus, they must overcome their differences, difficulty and should be able to work hand in hand in order to make one successful construction project…

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• Article: Choosing Your Builder – Tips and Tricks

Tagged as: Civil Consultant, Civil Contractor

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