Schemmer in the News: Matt Sutton on Choosing an Engineer

Matt Sutton, P.E., LEED AP was recently featured in the December 14, 2012 issue of the Midlands Business Journal. The article, titled "How to Choose an Engineer", focuses on the items that should be a priority when choosing an engineering partner for a project.

While cost is a valid concern, especially in tough economic times, local A/E/C leadership highly recommend using a Qualifications Based Selection process. This process will give the engineering partner the flexibility to design and build in efficient solutions that may cost more up front but save money in the long run. "Owners need to be aware that the design will influence the entire project, not only construction costs, but also operating and maintenance costs for the life of the project," Sutton said. "It is strongly recommended that owners focus on selecting a design professional that is most qualified for the project."

The article also stresses the importance of choosing a firm based on competence, previous performance, availability and history/success. While there are many factors that can help in the decision making process, references are a great resource in the information gathering stage. They can provide information on the engineer's process, ability to handle design changes, cost control and construction conflicts. In addition, references can provide insight as to what types of projects the engineering firm has worked on in the past, the areas in which they excelled and those areas where they may have struggled.

To read the entire article, please see the December 14, 2012 issue of the Midlands Business Journal. The article, titled "How to Choose an Engineer", can be found on pages 35-38.