Who is a consultant?Here is a common definition and rightly so; Consultants in general are licensed professionals in the privates sector who provide design services and expertise to both public and private entities. 
What are the advantages of seeking the services of consultants?
Here are two of what you intend to gain from a consultant/consulting Engineers
1.Additional skills:You get access to some of their skills that are scarce or non-existence within you reach. for example not everyone can design a functional, efficient Electrical system for a particular Building.
2. Intelligent advice: They ask good questions ,gather information about problems and giving advice based on experience and observations…For example they would give you views on choice of material and their impacts on your budget in the short term and long run thus you would come up with a choice that’s within your financial capabilities…..Stay here for more.
Roles of Consulting/Consultants Engineers
(a) Schematic Design
During the schematic design stage, the consultant determines the feasibility of the
project. The consultant considers and proposes the preliminary concept and estimated cost of the
the project
(b) Design Development
It is during this stage that the consultant moves forward with concept approval. It
is likely that he or she will take a more in depth look at some of the items considered during the
schematic design stage, and coordinate and develop the actual design of the project. If not
already done during the schematic design stage, the consultant will review the building code, and
make a development permit submission. In some cases, the consultant may be responsible for or
involved with additional tasks like interior design development, promotional presentations,
rezoning variance submissions, geotechnical and/or civil design development, and special studies
reports (such as planning tenant or rental spaces).
(c) Construction Documents
The consultant is responsible for the specifications, plans and drawings related to
a project. Unless timelines are specifically accounted for in a contract, the consultant is under an
implied obligation to provide the owner with the specifications, plans and drawings within a
reasonable time.8 The specifications are a detailed and precise written description of the project,
while the plans and drawings are detailed images of the same.
THE ROLE OF THE CONSULTANT DURING BIDDING AND NEGOTIATIONS
The consultant represents the owner and acts as the owner’s agent in the preparation,
issuance and supervision of tender documents. The consultant also prepares, or co-ordinates and
issues the tender documents, if needed. Once bids have been received, the
consultant evaluates them and consults with the owner about them. While the consultant is
responsible for a considerable amount of the tender process, the owner can have some
involvement with it……stay tuned here for more.
