The American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii (ACECH) “What We Do Is All Around You”
Our Organization
The American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii (ACECH) is an association of consulting engineering firms serving private- and public-sector clients. We are dedicated to the advancement of consulting engineering, while enhancing the health, safety and welfare of the public. We are a business organization devoted to improving the business climate and management practices of Hawaii’s consulting-engineering firms. Through our annual Engineering Excellence Awards program, ACECH recognizes the outstanding work of the consulting-engineering community.
Consulting Engineers
Consulting engineers are licensed professional engineers in private practice. They provide a wide range of services, from brief consultations to the complete design and coordination of a project. They are often the technical liaisons among architects, process specialists, contractors, suppliers and the client. Consulting engineers respond to various challenges by providing unique and innovative solutions to today’s complex problems. Their areas of expertise may be anywhere on the broad spectrum of engineering technology, including the fields of civil, electrical, environmental, mechanical, metallurgical, geotechnical, structural and highway engineering. A firm may also concentrate on specific fields such as soil mechanics, surveying and mapping, sanitation and hydrology. Consulting engineers can provide general consultation, feasibility reports, design, cost estimates, rate studies, project development, patent assistance, construction drawing and environmental impact statements.
How to Find Us
Locating the best available consulting engineers and negotiating the fairest fees require research, organization, evaluation and responsible decision-making. Technical competence, managerial ability and professional integrity are among the most important criteria to consider when selecting an engineer, and these factors can best be determined through a process known as qualification-based selection (QBS). The QBS process helps clients find the
most qualified engineering consultant. It is a time-proven method used by savvy clients who want to partner with an engineer or a team of engineers to obtain the best value.
Factors to Consider
Following the QBS method, engineering consultants are selected, first, based on competence, creativity and performance and, second, on negotiation of a fair and reasonable price.
Keep in mind that selecting a consulting engineer based solely on price limits the professional’s ability to undertake a thorough analysis of a problem and to search for innovative solutions. It also denies access to the most valuable assets the professional has to offer: creativity and professional judgment. The bottom line: Cheap design is expensive. Your investment in quality design will enable the most qualified consultant to apply technical knowledge and relevant project experience to develop a functional, cost-effective design to meet your needs for the life of the project or facility.
Hiring a Consulting Engineer
The following guidelines can help you select the most qualified consulting engineer for your project: 1. Prepare a description of the proposed project and request qualifications from a select list of firms. 2. Evaluate the firms’ submitted qualifications in light of your needs, and select three to five firms that appear to be the most qualified to interview. 3. Contact recent clients and conduct interviews with the firms. Rank firms based on both their qualifications and the interview. 4. Select the highest rated firm for detailed negotiation of scope of service, contractual terms and compensation. If an agreement cannot be reached with the selected firm, formally conclude negotiations and proceed to the next highest ranked firm for negotiation.