WHAT IS A CONSULTING ENGINEER?

n Consulting engineers are individuals who, because of training in one or more engineering specialties, are licensed professional engineers in private practice.

n They serve private and public clients in ways ranging from brief consultations to complete design and coordination of a project. They are often the technical liaison between architects, process specialists, contractors, suppliers and the client.

n A consulting engineer's specialty may be anywhere in the broad spectrum of engineering technology, including the fields of civil, electrical, structural, mechanical, chemical, metallurgical, geotechnical and highway engineering. A firm may also concentrate in specific fields such as soil mechanics, sanitation, hydrology or petroleum.

n A consulting engineer can provide general consultation, feasibility reports, design, cost estimates, rate studies, project development, patent assistance and preparation of environmental impact statements.

n Locating the best available consulting engineer and negotiating the fairest fee requires research, organization, evaluation and responsible decision making. Engineering value is obtained when the most qualified firm--engaged for a fair and equitable cost--develops a design which best serves the client by holding down present and future costs.