In our previous blog post on House Bill 14 (HB14), we briefly touched on the importance of having a knowledgeable firm that can provide a quality submittal. In this blog post, we'll delve deeper into this subject and offer some valuable insights on what to look for and discuss with your design consultant to ensure your goals align.

There's no shortage of engineering firms in the metroplex, ranging from international giants to regional and local players. They all have the potential to meet developers' needs, but one common objective unites them: delivering a top-notch design at a fair price, efficiently. Time is money in the world of construction, and it's essential to keep project costs in check.

From my experience as a developer, I've witnessed how construction costs can quickly escalate, even after a contract has been signed with the contractor. Rising material costs due to factors like fuel and freight can lead to attempts to pass these increases on to you. Equally critical are the ever-changing interest rates and the stringent policies of many lenders. With Q4 of 2023 and the next 12-18 months looming, having a project that minimizes monthly interest costs and getting your project from design to construction with plans that are easily understood by contractors with minimal RFI’s will be vital.

All of this might sound like common sense, but how does it translate into selecting the right firm for the job? It's important to remember that bigger doesn't always mean better, and opting for the cheapest option can often result in higher expenses down the line. To help you make an informed decision, here are some key considerations to keep in mind when searching for your next civil design firm, or even when assessing your current one.

Assess Their City-Specific Experience

One common misconception is assuming that a well-known firm with a track record of projects everywhere will smoothly navigate the specific processes of your project's city. It's essential to ask questions like:

- Who on their team has successfully handled projects in this particular city?

- Is the project manager and design team the same as those who will handle your project?

- How recently have they completed projects in this city?

- Can they provide specific insights about the city's approval processes?

Applying the standards of one city to another often doesn't yield the desired results. Look for firms that learn from each round of comments and continuously improve their work, making their submittals more efficient.

Understanding the Team Behind the Work

Different firms operate in different ways. Some may have seasoned principals or senior project leaders who communicate your project needs but delegate the work to junior engineers. Others are fully integrated and personally review each design before it reaches the city. On the flip side, some firms might use your project as a training ground for junior engineers, potentially resulting in multiple review iterations. Clarify the team structure and expectations to ensure a smooth process.

Average Turnaround Time Matters

While cities can sometimes take weeks or months to review plans and provide comments, it's equally important to understand the turnaround time on the design engineer's side. Questions like:

- How quickly do they submit to the city?

- What's the typical time to resubmit after receiving comments?

- How many rounds of revisions are typical with this firm?

- What's their average project cycle time with the city?

This information can help you set realistic expectations for your project's schedule and budget.

While I’m not suggesting that this is the only criteria you should use in finding the right civil engineer for your project, we hope these can be discussion points to explore with your design engineers. These topics shouldn't be taboo; in fact, open discussions can lead to stronger relationships with your consultants.

At LMA, we believe in transparency and post our metrics on our website. Our numbers may vary, but we're committed to transparency and using them as a driving force for continuous improvement. In tough times and great times - the old adage remains true, time is still money. While we have the honor of being approved by the City of Dallas for 3rd party review with respect to HB14, for us, getting your project through the finish line quickly while providing a trusted design helps our bottom line as well as yours and build trust with the City. More importantly, it is a standard and reputation that we strive for.