How to Get the Most from Your Consultant POSTED ON NOVEMBER 11, 2011 POSTED IN: ALL BLOG If I were to hire me, here are a few things that I would keep in mind. Most engineers accumulate charges on an hourly basis. Sucessful project budgets typically have a reasonable time line, and not a lot of delays or drawn out schedule. More time usually equals more charges. Who do you interact best with in your social circle? People that treat each other the way they would like to be treated typically receive the best services. Everyone is excited to work with clients that are fair, understanding, pay on time, and generally a pleasure to spend time with. More importantly, when good clients are in a bind, you can be sure their engineer/scientist will do all they can to help out in a time of need! The cheapest labor rate staff aren’t necessarily the most efficient. If it takes a $90/hr junior scientist 4 hours to do what a $160/hr scientist could do in 2 hours, it costs more…..and the $160/hr scientist probably still has to spend time helping the young engineer. There are good people everywhere. The biggest and smallest of companies have exceptional and not-so-exceptional people, and different folks appreciate different people characteristics. Who are the people that you will be working with, regardless of the company? Property access agreements can be done by anyone. It isn’t necessarily the best use of budget to have an engineer or scientist negotiate property access. Anything that can be done to allow and engineering/scientist to focus more quickly on what they do best, typically will reduce project time (and budget). How engaged do I need to be? Do meetings or status reports every day or week add value or just run up the budget and delay progress? What are the key elements that need to be reviewed prior to proceeding? Many times the best technical people aren’t the most practical or efficient people. Maybe I am correct, maybe not. These are just some things I have learned from people smarter than me, or based on my own experience. TAGGED TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE Post navigation PREVIOUS NEXT Explore More from GeoEngineers Recent Stories for You New US 21 Bridge is Vital Link to South Carolina Barrier Islands November 24, 2021 Alicia Sellers Becomes ASCE Nashville Secretary November 12, 2021 GEOSTRATA Features Unique Wings Over Washington Project October 13, 2021 Partnership with Downtown On The Go Lights Up Tacoma October 8, 2021 Port of Alaska Modernization Wins PDCA Project of the Year October 6, 2021 Categories ALL BLOG NEWS FEED VIDEOS Archives Archives SELECT MONTH NOVEMBER 2021 OCTOBER 2021 SEPTEMBER 2021 AUGUST 2021 JULY 2021 JUNE 2021 MAY 2021 APRIL 2021 MARCH 2021 FEBRUARY 2021 JANUARY 2021 DECEMBER 2020 NOVEMBER 2020 OCTOBER 2020 SEPTEMBER 2020 AUGUST 2020 JULY 2020 JUNE 2020 MAY 2020 APRIL 2020 JANUARY 2020 DECEMBER 2019 OCTOBER 2019 SEPTEMBER 2019 JULY 2019 JUNE 2019 MAY 2019 APRIL 2019 MARCH 2019 FEBRUARY 2019 JANUARY 2019 DECEMBER 2018 NOVEMBER 2018 OCTOBER 2018 SEPTEMBER 2018 AUGUST 2018 JUNE 2018 MAY 2018 APRIL 2018 MARCH 2018 FEBRUARY 2018 JANUARY 2018 DECEMBER 2017 AUGUST 2017 MAY 2017 APRIL 2017 MARCH 2017 JANUARY 2017 DECEMBER 2016 NOVEMBER 2016 SEPTEMBER 2016 AUGUST 2016 JUNE 2016 MAY 2016 APRIL 2016 MARCH 2016 FEBRUARY 2016 JANUARY 2016 DECEMBER 2015 NOVEMBER 2015 OCTOBER 2015 SEPTEMBER 2015 AUGUST 2015 JUNE 2015 MAY 2015 APRIL 2015 FEBRUARY 2015 JANUARY 2015 NOVEMBER 2014 OCTOBER 2014 AUGUST 2014 JULY 2014 JUNE 2014 MAY 2014 APRIL 2014 MARCH 2014 FEBRUARY 2014 JANUARY 2014 DECEMBER 2013 NOVEMBER 2013 OCTOBER 2013 SEPTEMBER 2013 AUGUST 2013 JULY 2013 JUNE 2013 MAY 2013 APRIL 2013 MARCH 2013 FEBRUARY 2013 JANUARY 2013 DECEMBER 2012 NOVEMBER 2012 OCTOBER 2012 SEPTEMBER 2012 AUGUST 2012 JULY 2012 JUNE 2012 MAY 2012 APRIL 2012 MARCH 2012 FEBRUARY 2012 JANUARY 2012 NOVEMBER 2011 AUGUST 2011 JULY 2011 JUNE 2011 MAY 2011 APRIL 2011 MARCH 2011 FEBRUARY 2011 JANUARY 2011 NOVEMBER 2010 Tags COMMUNITY SAFETY SUSTAINABILITY TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE We're driven by our values. SEE WHAT DEFINES US LEGAL/PRIVACY POLICY TEAM WITH US STAFF LOGIN COMPANY CAREERS CURIOUS? CONTACT PRACTICE AREAS EXPERTISE Copyright © 2021 GeoEngineers. All Rights Reserved. - Site by CMA