Questionaire for architects, contractors, and building owners

1.  How many engineers have you hired?

2. What influenced your decision to hire them?

3. How do you feel about engineers?

4.  Are there any services you wish engineers offered?

5.  Are you a building owner?

6.  Are you an architect?

7.  Are you a contractor?

Thank you for participating in this survey.  This survey has been a worthwhile experience so far.   I was fascinated how the survey results I have gotten so far were different that I would have guessed.

3 Comments for this entry

• 

  John Stischok

  December 28th, 2011 on 3:21 pm

  1. We typically utilize in house P.E. to perform HVAC engineering. I have personally been involved in coordinating the hiring of 2 outside engineers one structural and one geotechnical.
  2. Structural: We have utilized them extensively in the past and they consistently provide accurate, quick, economical service.
  Geotechnical: We were referred to them by another geologist we had used in the past. We held an in person meeting with several of each companies key staff to solidify our decision prior to going to contract.
  3. Having been involved in the design of several fast paced projects I feel that most engineers put forth a tremendous effort under sometimes ludicrous time and cost restraints to create a finished product worth building. That being said “we” do make errors, and I think all engineers need to push past the “80%” correct mark that it seems most contractors feel we aim for and raise the alarm if we cannot.
  4.One thing that I think we should offer at no cost to the owner is an organized building walk through about 11 months after substantial completion. Why you may ask? It gives the engineer insight into what is working well, what is failing, how our equipment selections have worked out, if our design assumptions were right, and hundreds of other factors that help us be better engineers and contractors. In addition it will let you see how the building has been maintained. Even the most robust of HVAC systems will fail at the hands of untrained maintenance. Plus if you do find failures on the equipment side the owner will be relieved to find out they have one month of warranty left on there equipment.
  5. I work for a design build contractor in the project management division. I have spent roughly one year in design as well, and hope to be able to migrate back into the HVAC design field as design has been my most rewarding employment experience yet.
• 

  Guy Van Meulebrouck

  January 2nd, 2012 on 8:25 pm

  Thanks for the reply John!
• 

  Guy Van Meulebrouck

  January 2nd, 2012 on 8:51 pm

  Hi John–Great comment about 1 year follow up inspections–I had forgotten I have one coming up soon.