Explain the term ' consultants' in a construction project. Elaborate the roles of consultants involve directly in the development process.
Answer:
Consultant render specialist advice and professional services in the capacity of advisory roles as appointed by the clients then roles and scope of services can either be peutral comprehensive, depuiding on the clients requirements. At various stages of a project, then role can either be primary, secondary or mere inputs. As a general rule the type of consultants to be appointed will depend very much on the size, type and complexity of the project. It is important to note that only consultants who have relevant experiences in projects of similar nature are qualified to be appointed.
The various consultant include:
1. Project Consultant
The objective of appointing the relevant project consultant, whether in the from of an external Project Consultant or in-house project manager is the coordinator and implementation of planning and controlling all related services for the design and construction of a project under the optimum combination of the three parameters of best qualify, lower cost and shortest time. Clients have 2 options to consider prior to appointing them in managing their projects.
The disadvantage is that an in-house project manager is a single person from only one technical discipline companed to an external project consultant who employs a cross section of professionals who are are experts on vvarious technical disciplines. The criteria to consider when deciding on this aspect depends on the size, types, complexity and cost of the projects being built. A simple housing schema or a point block high-rise tower, engaging an in house project manager would economically prudent. On the other hand for massive projects such as airports, hospitals, integrated high-use complexes, large scale industrial/residential/commercial townships, it would be more appropriate to appoint an experienced and qualified project consultant, whatever the decision appointing either an in house project manager, or external project consultant is necessary for the smooth implementation, satisfactory progress and success of the project.
2. Surveyors
They can advise on property strategy based upon their knowledge of prices and availability of building whether to ?? or extend existign premises or build new ones
3. Architects
They can propose idea about how buildings may be organized or reorganized in ways that best meet then clients requirements. Using their imagimative and communication skills in the coordination of information and ideas. They are required to ?? architectural design, general pre and post contract administration. Upon finalization of the concept with the client, the architects can then look into the details and authorities approvals before actual implementation.
4. Civil & Structure Engineers (CTS)
They are responsible for designing the structural framework of the building before the architectural finished lend their aesthetic effect. The Civil & structural Engineer has the responsibility for the structural design of both. The substructure and superstructure of the building. Thus, no completed building can stand firmly on the ground, if not for the services of the civil & structural engineer. He is also responsible for the design, supervisor and construction of ??oods, chains senienage and ??ata reticulation and other civil works. The advice and recommendations on structural pants often involve complex scientific calculations.
5. Mechamical & Electical Engineers (MTE)
For a completed building to function efficiently, various services like air-conditioning, mechamicel ventilaon??, lifts, electical services line-lighting, building automation system, plumbing and sanitory and many other serces need to be provided. The MTE engineer is entrusted with the task of designing the above services consistent with the type and requirements ofthe building. He will also need to look into the external infrastructure services to facilitate the easy availability of public utilities to the development.
6. Quantity surveyors
They advice on all aspect of construction costs, based upon then measurement of the materials and work required in particular schemes. For every project to be implemented, there is a development budget. The QA is likened to the 'Financial Controller' whose responsibility is to maintain cost control during the full duration of the project. His other job functions are to prepare Bills of Quantities for the contra???, to call and award tenders to contractors prior to actual commercement of physical works. It is not mandatory but certain clients may insist on submission of a pre-tender estimate to be unveiled during tender opening for certain work packages.
7. Land Surveyors
When a client has acquired a piece of property, the services of a land surveyor will be required to map out the actual site/lot boundary for the purpose of preparation of architectural layout plan. Subsequently when the relevant planning approval is achieved he will be required to carry out a survey plan for issuance of individual qualified totces by the land office. Eventually when building is completed, the Land Surveyor will have to ascertam and quality the all buildings are built within the lot boundaries before the iscuanle of the certificate of fitness (CF) by authenticates.
8. Specialist Consultants
Other specialist consultants are appointed as and when the need arises and include amongst others, geotecnical consultants, environmental specialists, land scape planners, traffic planners, interior designers, accoustic experts, economists, gociologists, behavioral scientists, statisticaians, reserach agencies, values, real estate agents, tax consultants, accounts, financials researches, public relations expects and others that the project consultant can tap on qualitatively in implementation of the project.
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