Engineering Evaluatiions 1

[Numberseven]

When engaged by a client to evaluate special engineering conditions providing explanations or repair methods, time can be spent in acquiring knowledge and information not yet possessed by the Engineer. The Engineer's expertise goes to being diligent and economical in obtaining such added knowledge for the benefit of the client. However, his base of knowledge also increases, which will be helpful in future work. Often it is necessary to buy new materials such as computer programs and literature (these items, depending how specialized, should be probably be considered part of the cost of doing business). Since charges for evaluation work can exceed the client's expectations and become hard to explain, I wonder what are the colleague's opinions on the subject, with the idea of collecting adequately and keeping a happy client.

 

[GregLamberson]

You can do a couple of things. If you think you will use the software and knowledge for future clients, then you may not neccesarily want to include all of the related costs in your proposal.

However, if it is a one-off type deal where chances are you will never use it again, I would include it as a 100% write off in the proposal.

Keep in mind, the associated costs are tax deductions (granted not dollar for dollar, but a deduction none the less). If you are concerned about being competitive, see what the deduction will mean to you and include the difference in your proposal.

Greg Lamberson, BS, MBA
Consultant - Upstream Energy
Website:

http://www.oil-gas-consulting.com

 

[DonPhillips]

I would agree. If you have to buy a current code, that is the cost of doing business. If you have to buy a really old code to determine what was code at the time of design, you could charge your client, but when I was an owner's rep and someone (usually a contractor) charged me for a tool, I asked for it at the end of the job. I tended to not get full costs of tools in proposed change orders after making that request.

Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[csd72]

Numberseven,

An up front fee would resolve all this.

If you quote a fee that covers your time and research costs then they will either accept the fee or look elsewhere.

Better to be up front about the expected costs than to argue about it later.

csd