Self employed doing precast consulting engineering 1

[johnjaundice]

Hi folks,

I've have about 6 years of precast experience and most recently doing consulting for several producers. I have done major projects in parking, retail, residential, and medical for 5 different producers and am familiar with drafters, engineers, project managers, and production staff at all of these clients. I've also done some small one-off stuff for other producers.

The company I currently work at usually does the engineering and drafting in-house, but the last two projects I've done they were engineering only and drafting was done by someone at the producer.

This really got me thinking that being self employed as a sub-contractor for producers could be a real possibility. My fees would be less since I'd be working out of a home office.

Does anybody have any idea if anyone is doing this? How could I gather some information to see if this is possible with producers? I want to be respectful of my current company, but also I need to know what's possible.

Any thoughts are much appreciated!

 

[dik]

Don't short change yourself...

Dik

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

If you've been the main/sole designer for the producers then they'll likely follow you if you split. I'd say it's a reasonable venture.

Ian Riley, PE, SE
Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanConcrete/

 

[KootK]

Does anybody have any idea if anyone is doing this?

I am doing this. Currently, precast work is about 30% of my business and about 70% of my profits. I find it very interesting as well. Some things that I think I've learned:

1) I do the shop drawings as well as the calculations and, so far, prefer that. Much of the fee volume seems to be tied up in the drawing. As long as you can get it done economically, it's nice to have as part of the revenue stream.

2) There are a number of folks in developing countries offering this service. You'll likely not enjoy trying to compete with them. I think that you really have to work aspects of this that benefit someone local. A lot of what I do is stick handling my client's clients. They like that and it's something that I can offer that folks on the other side of the world really can't.

3) I've found that many precasters are only receptive to this kind of arrangement if I'm not simultaneously working for any of their local competitors. As a result, I've been trying to establish relationships with folks in different regional markets. Other precast specialists seem to in fact work for regional competitors concurrently. How they're managing that, I do not yet know.



I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[darthsoilsguy2]

It seems to me that the majority of Engineers in the Contractor supply chain, no matter what trade, are low-overhead operations.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

I am doing this. Currently, precast work is about 30% of my business and about 70% of my profits. I find it very interesting as well.

It's definitely an expanding market as I see more and more engineers delegating design to precasters.

On that note; KootK, can you contact me (my linkedin is in my profile); I have a possible opportunity related to precast design I would like to discuss with you.

Ian Riley, PE, SE
Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanConcrete/