How do firms bid/find design projects? 3

[CivilSigma]

I am really interested in learning more about how structural design firms land projects to work on?
I am working in the insurance industry where insurance providers contact our firm and give us work. I guess, my firm also has established releationships with major insurance providers.

Let's say you open a structural engineering firm tommorow. What next? How would you find jobs to work on?

I would love to learn about this from the more expeirenced members here.

Thank you,

 

[JedClampett]

It's tough. The best source are people you're working for already and know you. But your old firm is not going to take that lightly. Maybe you're good enough that these clients are going to follow you. But as Dirty Harry (Clint Eastwood) said, "Do you feel lucky, punk?" If they don't follow, what's plan B?
And talking to clients about you hanging out a shingle is, too put it lightly, sensitive.
The best way is to tell you current boss that you're restless and you want to give it a try. Maybe he's got too much work and will hand some over. Or maybe with you leaving he might offer some clients to go with you, probably because they're a pain in the butt.
It helps if you're an expert in some niche where you're well known. Steel tanks, coatings, steel tank coatings? It could be anything. I see the same guys doing every FRP tank design. Or carbon fiber repairs?

 

[msquared48]

I believe lots of information and opinions have been posted in this site on that subject in the past.

Try doing a search and see what you find.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA, HI)

 

[SoFloJoe]

Yes I agree. There have been lots of posts on this in the past.

But was has stuck (for me at least) is simple, do good work, be responsive and fair priced you will get plenty of business. WITH that it does take some time to build up a clientele and word of mouth. At the beginning be open to as much different work that you can do within your realm of expertise. Be ready to do plenty of research and learn new areas and codes (ie end up getting paid about $20 or less an hour after all said and done). Have a good mentorship backing for when you are stuck or need a 2nd opinion (this site helps with that!). And build a referral base. I have found that architects are great sources of jobs, even better if you can funnel jobs to them (makes them reciprocate) and reach out to other structural engineers if you have a certain niche and offer to take that type of work off their plates. You will be surprised how many will more than happily give you jobs (probably headache ones) but jobs none the less.

Last resort is Craigslist. This is hit or miss and usually find people trying to get free work there. But I have found a handful of decent jobs when first starting out.

Don't quit your day job, see if you can work part time with either the firm you are currently working for or another while building your base clients. BE HONEST with your employers you will be surprised how supportive they may be to help you start while still keeping you on PT. Most employers want their colleagues to succeed and you will likely be a source of work for them so why not help.

Goodluck!

 

[CivilSigma]

Thank you all for the replies. I have also checked previous similar posts. It's informative and has given me some insight.

 

[JoelTXCive]

Do you have a local commercial contractor's association? Or a residential builders group? Or architectural professional group?

I would start sponsoring their luncheons (when Covid is over); along with attending their meetings and volunteering for committees. Or, maybe a little less expensive is if any of those groups have golf outings or skeet shoots; you can sponsor a hole, etc.

Or, if you have technical knowledge; you can speak at one of their meetings or put together a webinar.

The trick is not to knock people over at meetings with your sales pitch and business cards (I regularly get that at meetings and most of those business cards land in the trashcan). The people that I have seen be successful at this earn peoples friendship and trust; and then the business just naturally starts heading their way. It's a long term continuous strategy though.

 

[Ron]

The title of your thread concerns me to some extent. You mention "bidding".
Don't bid. You're not a contractor. You're a professional. Meet with potential clients and convince them to select based on qualifications, not price.

Don't compromise your unit rates. Cut your scope if you need to lower the fee for a client. If you lower your unit rate, it will always stay low.