Did you know that there are actually several different types of engineers? One of which is a consulting engineer. I’m sure you’re thinking, ‘well, if there are many different fields of engineering, what are consulting engineers responsible for?’. The truth is, consulting engineers in Cape Town are responsible for many key areas in the planning and implementation of construction projects.

More specifically, they are experts in the planning, designing and construction of specific engineering services, for both the public and private sectors, including construction companies, government bodies, local authorities or factories. Not only this, but they also assist the construction industry and building sector by ensuring they stick to their deadlines and meet their goals.

The duties of consulting engineers benefit both the building industry and society as a whole, by ensuring that safer, cleaner and more efficient foundations are applied. With the various different engineering backgrounds, consulting engineers could be experts in civil, structural, manufacturing, electrical or mechanical engineering. The utilisation of a consulting engineer’s services is most beneficial when a project has a specific goal to achieve or when expertise is required to inspect and solve a problem. When the development or performance of a construction project is in question, the role of a consulting engineer is indispensable.

In terms of the physical functions of consulting engineers, they are typically responsible for studying the project reports and determining their financial reliability and cost estimates; preparing, designing and inspecting the drawings and designs of the structure; supervising the processes and ensuring only the highest quality of performance standards; providing advice on any repairs, alterations or maintenance that needs to be done, as well as on other inter-related matters; and cross-checking structures to ensure optimal safety and economy. In order for the consulting engineer to perform the above-mentioned tasks effectively, they need to be familiar with modern developments in construction technology, as well as have knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 and OHSAS 18001:2007.

In short, consulting engineers in Cape Town need to ensure that only leading-edge technology is used in all solutions, which should be both creative and environmentally sound. It is their responsibility to secure that all processes and procedures are running smoothly and efficiently on the site.

If you are interested in hiring a consulting engineer for your next construction project, there are a few considerations to keep top of mind when selecting the right consultant. Most importantly, ensure that you have a sound understanding of their experience, expertise and background. For example, have they worked on a similar project to yours? If so, it means they will already be aware of any potential challenges, as well as how to overcome said challenges. There have been previous cases where the wrong selection caused several problems for the construction project. Therefore, ensure you put enough thought into selecting a consulting engineer, as they will determine whether the project is a smooth, successful one or a failure, where you run over budget, miss deadlines and don’t end up meeting the project goal. Therefore, when selecting a consultant, ensure you ask the right questions regarding their knowledge, qualification and expertise.