Top Reasons Your Project Needs a Commercial Engineer
Before you break ground on a new construction project, you must have a few key people on your side.
First, you need an architect to design your structure. Once you have your design plans, you need a construction team to do the actual build.
In between planning and constructing, you need to consult with a commercial engineer to make sure that the building is safe and sound.
From what they do to where to find them, here’s everything you need to know about commercial engineers (including why you need to hire one before you tackle your next project).
What Is a Commercial Engineer?
“Engineer” is an incredibly broad term. Engineers work in a wide variety of fields, from electrical engineering to civil engineering to aerospace engineering.
But unlike these other disciplines, which you can earn a bachelor’s degree in, there is no such thing as a “commercial engineer degree.”
That’s because commercial engineering refers more to the type of client that an engineer works for rather than the specific type of engineering they do.
Commercial engineers work on projects for privately owned, for-profit businesses. They are hired when these businesses build structures such as hotels, research laboratories, hospitals, factories, and retail spaces.
Commercial engineers do not work for governments or charitable organizations. They do not work for non-profits. The fact that they work for private sector companies is, in fact, the very thing that makes them “commercial.”
What Does a Commercial Engineer’s Work Entail?
The scope of a commercial engineering project can be vast, so they are often experts in a wide variety of engineering disciplines. They might have a background in electrical engineering, industrial engineering, or business management.
They are an important part of the construction process, as they focus on meeting project safety standards in relation to the building’s structural qualities (foundation design, load-bearing elements, wind resistance, etc.).
The role of a commercial engineer is different from that of a building engineer, though there is some overlap. At different points throughout the project, both commercial and building engineers may take part in the planning and designing of the structure as well as the maintenance and renovation of existing buildings.
Why Your Construction Project Needs a Commercial Engineer
Commercial engineers know exactly what it takes to meet and exceed expectations so that the building can be a profitable endeavor.
Whether you’re constructing a new office building, a retail space, or a factory, commercial engineers can help you with many aspects of your project:
Project development
Legal documentation and permit preparation
Site selection and surveying
Surpassing technical requirements for water drainage and traffic flow
Meeting and exceeding health and safety standards
Analyzing the environmental impact
Project management from the design to execution
Project Development
Commercial engineers are involved in every aspect of project development, from the preliminary stages to the final build.
They help design building plans and prototypes. They survey sites to make sure that the design can be built safely. They make sure that every part of the structure can hold up to licensing and inspection assessments before the building opens to the public.
Permit Preparation
Licensed commercial engineers have the authority to sign off on the building plans required to apply for permits. The more complicated the project, the more complex the documentation for those permits can be.
Commercial engineers can prepare those documents. They can also give their seal of approval on the blueprints and architectural plans needed to receive the permits required by your local government.
Meeting Technical Requirements
Your engineer will take a closer look at the details of your plan to ensure that your architectural design can be built to meet all code and safety standards for a senior living design or other project.
If the architectural plans don’t meet the strict requirements set forth by local laws, a commercial engineer will adjust the plans to make your build happen in the safest, most efficient way.
Think of them as technical support for your planning process.
Project Management
Commercial engineers help manage every aspect of your construction project, from the design of the traffic flow to the installation of your HVAC system.
If and when an issue arises, your commercial engineer will either find a solution to the problem or bring in the right people to do so.
Without a commercial engineer on your team, your construction project may never get off the ground.
What Does a Commercial Engineer Bring to the Table?
Commercial engineer skills are vast and varied. With expertise in everything from mechanical engineering to HVAC best practices to green energy, commercial engineers can take on a wide variety of projects and answer any and all questions you may have.
In addition to the technical skills that commercial engineers provide, they offer something else that’s just as valuable:
Peace of mind.
Commercial construction projects are often massive undertakings, so you need a team member who understands every step of the project from beginning to end.
The best commercial engineers are also excellent at project management and have great leadership skills. Because they work closely with both architects and construction contractors, they have the unique ability to turn an architectural design into a reality.
When construction issues arise, an experienced commercial engineer will find practical solutions, steer the project in the right direction, and manage the details of your build.
When Should You Hire a Commercial Engineer?
You should hire a commercial engineer any time you begin a new commercial construction project.
To make your project run as smoothly as possible, it’s best to bring in a commercial engineer during the early stages of the project. They can assess the feasibility of the project, gauge the soundness of the build, and ensure that, when completed, your project will meet all code and safety standards.
No matter what type of structure you’re building, you’ll need to secure permits from your local government or municipality before you can begin construction. Applying for permits with an architectural blueprint isn’t enough — you’ll also need an engineer to sign off on those plans to confirm that they meet safety standards and code requirements.
Because commercial engineers often have experience in civil or structural engineering as well as business, they are the perfect go-to for commercial construction projects.
Commercial engineers aren’t just important when building a new project; they’re also important when redesigning or making alterations to an existing structure.
From corroded pipes and inefficient HVAC systems to electrical wiring that doesn’t meet current safety standards, a commercial engineer can analyze various systems within an existing structure to address safety, health, and environmental concerns.
What to Look for in a Commercial Engineer
It’s important to know what skills and experience to look for before hiring a commercial engineer.
It can be tempting to hire the consultant that offers the lowest bid, but you must make sure the candidate has the proper education, experience, and integrity to do the job.
The Right Education
The first step in one’s commercial engineer career is completing a four-year engineering program at an accredited university and earning a bachelor’s degree. Most commercial engineers hold a BA in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, or a similar engineering discipline.
Unlike physicians and attorneys, graduate-level education is not a requirement for engineers. Engineers are not obligated to get a master’s degree or doctorate, but they do have to work for four years under a professional engineer to become licensed. This four-year period serves as a graduate degree of sorts.
In addition to a bachelor’s degree and four years of professional supervision, an engineer must pass two competency exams and apply for a license through their state licensure board in order to become a “professional engineer.”
Passing state board examinations is the only way to receive a PE seal, which is necessary in order to submit, prepare, sign, and seal engineering plans for permits.
When interviewing potential commercial engineers for your project, always make sure they are licensed to work in your state.
Relevant Skills
It’s a given that commercial engineers need superior math skills and excellent mechanical skills, but they need to be creative, as well.
Building issues require creative solutions, and the best commercial engineers are highly skilled in solving problems.
Listening skills are equally as important, as it’s the job of the commercial engineer to ensure that the final build meets the clients’ needs, whatever those needs may be.
Ethical Integrity
The National Society of Professional Engineers has a code of ethics that all engineers must follow. This code of ethics states that engineers must commit themselves to these practices:
Maintaining the safety, health, and welfare of the public
Acting as faithful agents or trustees to their clients and/or employers
Striving to serve the public interest
Practicing strictly within their area of expertise
Because engineers are licensed, any deviation from the code of ethics can result in licensure suspension.
How to Find a Commercial Engineer
Many commercial engineers work as consultants and operate as self-employed independent contractors. Others work as employees of architecture firms or construction companies.
If you’ve already chosen an architecture firm, ask if they also provide engineering services. If you haven’t yet selected an architect, it can be beneficial to look for one with a commercial engineer on staff.
Should you choose an architect that doesn’t have a commercial engineer on staff, don’t worry. It’s likely that they work closely with one or two skilled engineers, so they should be able to recommend or refer you to one who they know can handle the job.
General contractors also use engineering services on a regular basis, so your contractor may be able to provide you with additional referrals.
If your architect or general contractor refers you to a specific commercial engineer, it’s because they know their capabilities and have a good working relationship with that person.
Of course, you aren’t required to hire the engineer your contractor or architect refers you to. You always have the option to choose any engineer you want.
Can Your Architect Decide Which Commercial Engineer You Use?
Letting your architect choose your commercial engineer can save you the time of searching for one. But it’s your right to find your own if you’d prefer to do so.
When searching for a commercial engineer, a simple Google search such as “commercial engineers in [my town]” is a good place to start.
Look for online reviews. Do your due diligence to ensure that they’re licensed. Before choosing one, ask your architect or building contractor if they have ever worked with that engineer before.
Assembling a team that already has a good working relationship can make your project run smoother.
Conclusion
When starting a new construction project, you’ll need more than a pretty set of architectural plans.
Whether you’re working on a small-scale or large-scale project, a commercial engineer is an important part of every building project management team, and your project won’t even get off the ground without one.
If you’re in the Mountain States, contact ZP Architects in Denver. ZP Architects is a full-service design firm with architects, structural engineers, civil engineers, and project management professionals under one roof in their corporate office.
