How to Hire a Consulting Engineer
The Importance Of Good Design
Selecting the right design professional is one of the most important decisions in any construction project. The quality of a project’s design directly influences its life-cycle cost—including not only the initial construction cost, but also long-term operation, maintenance, and efficiency.
Design decisions determine critical elements such as facility layout, construction materials, infrastructure capacity, and energy performance. Even the most skilled contractors cannot compensate for poor design, which is why selecting a qualified engineering professional is essential.
Professional design services—engineering, architecture, and surveying—typically represent only a small portion of the overall construction budget, yet they have a significant impact on the long-term success and value of the project. Choosing a highly qualified design professional is an investment that helps ensure quality, efficiency, and cost savings over time.
Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS)
Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) is a proven process that allows project owners to select design professionals based on experience, expertise, and demonstrated competence, rather than price alone. Because engineering and design services rely on specialized knowledge and professional judgment, they are not commodities that can be effectively evaluated through low-bid procurement.
The QBS process helps owners secure the most qualified professional for their project and then negotiate a fair and reasonable fee for services.
ACEC Oklahoma provides a helpful guide explaining the QBS process and how owners—both public and private—can successfully select and retain consulting engineers and other design professionals.