The process of planning a major construction or building project, whether it’s for your own private land, your company or a government purpose, is complex and time consuming. Given what’s at stake in your project—the successful construction of a new building, a light rail system, a highway or whatever it may be—you don’t want to put yourself in a situation in which the project is derailed by bad planning, unnecessary bureaucratic holdups or other obstacles. That’s why you need to work with a good civil engineer.
Finding a civil engineer that can handle the particulars of your project, and which will work with you to stay within budget and complete the project on time, is not a process that should be rushed. Here are five qualities worth taking into account when you’re looking for a dependable civil engineer in Idaho:
- Appropriate accreditation: Projects requiring a civil engineer’s talents are not projects you want to entrust to anyone who isn’t appropriately licensed in the area in which you’ll be building. Hiring a licensed, insured civil engineer helps guarantee a certain level of quality, and also helps protect your company from liability in the event of an accident.
- Significant experience: As it should any time you hire a contractor, experience should play a key role in determining which civil engineer you hire. Specifically, it’s good to seek out a civil engineer with significant experience in the realm in which your project will take place. Familiarity with the type of project, the land itself and the place in which you’re building can all have an effect on the quality of work you’ll get from your civil engineer.
- Industry connections: Civil engineers work closely with a lot of people and groups when completing a project. From contractors and suppliers to all the various government agencies from which you’ll need permits, an established civil engineering firm will likely have built up a lot of connections in your area, particularly if they have a reputation for quality work. A firm like this is one you’ll want to find, as it can help open doors and expedite processes that might otherwise get tied up in government bureaucracy.
- ASCE membership: Membership in the American Society of Civil Engineers indicates a heightened level of engagement with the rest of the civil engineering community, and is definitely a quality you’ll want to look for when hiring a firm. The ASCE offers continuing education programs and access to resources while also advocating for higher standards of excellence throughout the industry.
- Strong communication skills: Finally, any civil engineer you elect to work with should be an excellent communicator. Not only will they need to be able to lead various teams and interact with important parties whose approval will be necessary throughout your building process, but they’ll also need to be someone with whom you can communicate easily. After all, your project should be the realization of your vision, and you need a civil engineer who understands your project and wants it to succeed.
By focusing on the characteristics listed above, you should have good luck finding qualified civil engineers who would be a good match for your project. If you’re looking for a civil engineer in Idaho, you should consider contacting Mason & Stanfield, Inc., a firm that has served clients in the Treasure Valley and beyond since 1989. To learn more about how Mason & Stanfield, Inc. can help guide your project from start to finish, give us a call today.