Hot Topics

·        Sustainability, though green building codes, continues to dominate public and private construction. Energy savings coupled with healthier environmental benefits have lead 22 states to mandate public buildings obtain certain levels of LEED certification. Also, federal, state, and local agencies allow green building codes to mandate sustainable design and construction procedures.

·        As the industry continues its slow improvement, the Consulting Estimators Round Table has developed guidelines for AEC firms on hiring a CE. Due to the recent economic downward spiral, many “start-ups” CE firms now dot the country. This makes it critical that the understanding of certain criteria occurs before signing a contract.

The criteria include:

o   References from years of experience and the continuous business from repeat clients

o   Credentials in the form of certification or organizational validations

o   Match a project’s size to an estimator’s skills.

o   How is a firm respected in the local community and among its peers.

o   Lower rates often do not reflect a consistent consultant in time or experience

o   A respected professional develops an on-going relationship

o   References always count.