Planning any construction project isn’t easy. Building a new home or constructing a major development can be incredibly complex and time-consuming. Unforeseen problems can turn what was once considered an easy or profitable project into a time suck and a money pit. Unknown factors hidden below the soil can cause the project cost to surge or extend the deadline by weeks or even months.
That’s why it’s so important to have a strong civil engineer on the job. Finding an experienced civil engineer to handle the project isn’t an easy task. It often takes time and knowledge of the field to separate the quality candidates from the less dependable. Look for these five qualities when looking for the best civil engineer in Idaho for your upcoming project:
- Experience: Civil engineering isn’t just about book smarts. A great engineer needs to have years of hands-on experience in the specific type of project being developed. For example, a commercial development company will want to hire a civil engineer familiar with developing these types of projects. Additionally, the engineer should be familiar with the area and the land itself.
- Licensing: Not just anyone can be a civil engineer. Idaho requires all engineers to be licensed to work within the state. Hiring a licensed civil engineer guarantees a certain level of quality. Additionally, the engineering company should also carry liability insurance in case something goes wrong in the field.
- Strong communication skills: Communication is vital regardless of the size of the project. The best civil engineers will communicate regularly and clearly with the client about any deadlines, unexpected challenges or new findings. They will also need to lead various teams and interact with numerous parties throughout the building process. Without this, the project manager might be left wondering about the status of their work or whether it will be completed by the deadline.
- Industry connections: Civil engineers work closely with a multitude of different contractors, suppliers, subcontractors and government agencies during the course of a project. Hiring a company with established connections in the community can be beneficial to your project. Their local standing can open doors and even help complicated government processes move quickly.
- Availability: The last thing you want is a civil engineer who is balancing so many projects that yours is forgotten. Unfortunately, some less-than-reputable companies will take on an abundance of projects with a focus on turning a profit, instead of providing high quality engineering services. Ask the firm how they will balance your project with their existing workload or whether they have any demanding projects coming up in the near future that may take attention away from yours.
You shouldn’t have any problem finding a qualified civil engineer by looking for these characteristics. If you’re searching for a top-of-the-line civil engineer in Idaho, call the team at Mason & Associates. Our team of civil engineers and land surveyors has been serving the area for nearly three decades. Call us today to discuss how we can help you navigate your project from start to finish.