Building construction consultants can help you solve a variety of issues throughout the building process. Professionals are often hired to handle design, safety, renovation or new building consulting. Construction consultants are the backbone of most projects because they do the research necessary to find out where the project may run into problems. This way you can develop a plan to handle issues before they arise.

Working with construction consultants is the best way to keep a project on time and on budget without cutting corners when it comes to safety. Here are some common branches of construction consulting:

1. Design engineering consultancy, so that the building is designed for maximum safety and function, but still retains a style.

2. Residential and commercial building consultancies.

3. Project management consulting, where the consultant has the power to make decisions and get the job done according to your specifications.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose a building construction consultant for renovation projects

Many builders may think that renovation projects are simple, but renovation projects can run into a lot of problems if they are not properly managed. A construction consultant can provide you with the best information and services to complete renovations quickly and safely.

I recommend: Northwest Renovation provides advice on why you should hire a consultant for renovation projects, as well as tips on what to look for in a good consultant. Renovation Resources provides consulting services specifically tailored to those who want to renovate their properties.

Utilize portfolios and project lists to choose construction consultant services

The best way to understand how a construction consultant works is to look at their previous projects. This can quickly answer many of your questions, including the scope of the projects, how the consultant worked with the builders to get it done, and the overall quality of the design.

I recommend: K2 Construction Consultants provides examples of its previous and current projects for potential customers to view and analyze. The Duggan Rhodes Group is another consulting service that offers builders a list of references for further evaluation of its services.

Hire a construction safety consultant for your work site

Of all the topics a consultant can cover for your business, safety is usually the number one issue. You can find consultants that work specifically with safety issues, as well as consultants that offer safety consulting as one of many services.

I recommend: Phillip L. Colleran, CSP provides a list of qualifications, including experience and training, on his website. Whether or not you are ready to hire a safety consultant, knowing the Occupational Health and Safety Administration standards for construction is very important for getting the job done safely and lawfully.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As you begin your search for the right building consultancy, make sure to as for references from your colleagues in the industry to quickly narrow down your search.

Building construction consultants play a vital role in the construction process as they manage a construction project from concept through completion. A building consultant works with owners, engineers and architects to direct the planning, scheduling and implementation of your construction project, ensuring each project is completed on budget and on time. As a third party advisor, a construction project management consultant provides accurate and timely reports and value-added services that save clients money and protect property assets throughout the construction process.

Before beginning your search for a building construction consultant, it is important to define your consulting needs. Clearly identify the goal of your building consultancy services, including project scope, services needed, time frame and budget. This information will help you select the best design engineering consultancy to meet your specific needs.

When selecting a contractor consultant for your organization, research each firm and evaluate the following:

1. What kind of experience do the building construction consultants offer to ensure on-time and on-budget performance in your industry?

2. What construction management and facility operations services do building consultant firms provide to bring added value to your construction project?

3. How much should your business invest in construction consultancy services?

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Hire a building consultant who specializes in your market

Select a construction project management consultant who is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in your business or industry. Ask to see a list of past and present clients, and request references.

I recommend: ZumBrunnen specializes in construction consulting and facility assessment for the institutional, health care, hospitality, public assembly, retirement, multi-family housing, mixed use, retail, office, warehouse and industrial industries, and provides an extensive client list sorted by industry. CURA Development Services focuses on facility operations, management and construction consultancy for senior living projects. Intradel Corporation provides acquisition, rehabilitation, development and construction consultant services for multi-family communities.

Choose a building construction consultant with demonstrated skills

Assess each building consultancy firm's ability to facilitate your construction project. Evaluate the firm's services, experience, qualifications and certifications. Request successful project examples similar in scope to your construction project.

I recommend: FAI Construction Consultants offers project management, project controls, construction inspection, cost estimating, bid review, contractor selection and payment requisition review. Lovett Silverman Construction Consultants boasts a large menu of services and features a portfolio of representative projects. Donley Construction Consultants provides several diverse services to solve construction problems, including technical analysis and consulting, expert witness testimony, claims management and document management systems.

Select construction consultants that meet your budget

Most building construction consultants utilize an hourly fee structure or operate on a fixed project price. Your building consultancy cost will depend upon the scope of your services.

I recommend: Holloway Consulting Group provides construction claims consultants services on an hourly, lump-sum, cost plus a fee or not-to-exceed basis. SDC & Associates offers a free initial consultation for construction consultancy services.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure your building consultant is well equipped to handle issues pertaining to insurance claims. Find out if your construction consultancy offers insurance claims services like errors and omissions, property and casualty loss and general liability.

Building construction consultants aid in every stage of the building and home construction process, from planning to budgeting to legal assistance — as in the case of construction claims consultants. Because construction consultant services are so varied, the education and training for residential construction consultants must be equally diverse. And, the training they undertake throughout their careers is just as important as any degrees or certifications they receive when getting started.

You have a number of options when it comes to training resources. Construction consultants education and training resources include:

1. An undergraduate or graduate degree relevant to construction
2. Training or certification in construction consultancy services
3. Certification as a construction project management consultant
   

Action Steps
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Obtain an undergraduate or graduate degree relevant to design engineering consultancy

Because a building consultant oversees nearly every aspect of the building process, from safety to workforce management, a college degree is essential. Many building consultancy professionals have degrees in engineering or similar fields.

I recommend: At WorldwideLearn, find out what you can do with a degree in construction management. Many technical schools offer undergraduate degrees in construction management, including ITT Tech, which has campuses across the United States.

Strengthen your skills through continuing education and online courses for construction consultants

No matter how experienced you are, you can still benefit from continuing education throughout your career. These courses help you keep up with changes in trends and methods, and may make you more attractive to potential clients. Many of these programs are available online or in other methods that allow you to study at your own pace, while still maintaining your current workload.

I recommend: The National Business Institute offers continuing education seminars on construction topics in several formats, including on-demand, mp3, live seminar, live teleconference and others. The National Association of Home Builders offers several continuing education courses for professionals.

Seek certification as a construction project management consultant

Project management is a key component of construction consultancy, and a degree or certification in this field can help you better oversee building projects. A general project management training program, combined with construction education, can help you successfully manage any building project. Or, you can opt for a project management program specifically for construction professionals.

I recommend: The American Institute of Contractors, 4PM and the Construction Management Association of America offer training and certification specifically in construction project management.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're preparing to obtain a degree in construction consultancy, evaluate the school's job placement office in addition to its degree program. Make sure the school offers the assistance you'll need to find a job when you graduate.
• •  If you're already a building consultant and seeking certification or continuing education, ask if the firm you work will help pay part of the cost of your training.

If your business is involved in construction projects, you will most likely use the services of construction consultants. However, construction consultants have a wide range of services, and it's helpful to seek out those consultants who offer services tailored for your needs. With an understanding of key terms associated with construction consultants, such as "claims consulting" and "due diligence," you'll be able to quickly find the firms that can help you with your specific business needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Project management

In construction consultancy terms, project management refers to the oversight of an entire project, from inception to completion. Elements of construction project management can include obtaining contracts, planning the project, scheduling contractors and ensuring the project adheres to the timeline. Most all-service construction consultants offer project management services.

I recommend: JPM Construction Consultants defines what its project management service entails, and why project management is important. The firm also details the other construction consultancy services it offers.

Construction safety consulting

Construction safety consulting focuses on ensuring the safety of all phases of your construction project, with an emphasis on safety evaluations before your project begins. It can include consulting on topics like site safety and best safety practices.

I recommend: Read more about construction safety consulting at the website of Philip L. Colleran, CSP, a consultant who specializes in construction safety.

Claims consulting

In the construction industry, claims consulting services are for businesses involved in a construction-project-related lawsuit or potential lawsuit, whether as plaintiff or defendant. Claims consultants can investigate the construction project problem and also provide litigation support, including expert testimony.

I recommend: Sadaka offers an overview of services that commonly comprise claims consulting and litigation support.

Earned Value Management, or EVA

EVA is an effective technique that a construction consultant may use when providing project management services. Under an EVA system, the consultant will create a project plan that lists all necessary work; a Budgeted Cost of Work Scheduled (BCWS) document, which notes the cost of the necessary work; and a set of metrics to determine the Budgeted Cost of Work Perfomed (BCWP). Beyond these basics, different construction consultancies offer a range of additional elements.

I recommend: Visit K2 Construction Consultants to view a list of services that fall under the firm's Earned Value Manangement systems.

Due diligence

In the field of construction consulting, due diligence generally refers to a pre-construction -- and often pre-purchase -- examination of potential risks associated with both the site and the project itself. Due diligence includes defining the scope of required work, examining any environmental issues that may impact the project, and creating an analysis of the project budget.

I recommend: The Spire Consulting Group provides an overview of their due diligence services.

Design-Build, or D-B

D-B is a contract in which the contractor is responsible for both the design of the project and the actual construction. This approach can save you both time and money, and it can be worth it to locate a construction consultant who familiar with this approach.

I recommend: Read Frank McDonough's article about Design-Build, including its advantages and potential disadvantages, at McDonough Bolyard Peck.