LOW ENGINEERING FEES
As
I read through my weekly emails, I came across this interesting article
from CROSS (Safety Report 951) on the collapse of large commercial
roadside signage. While it serves as a stark reminder of what can happen
when structures are not correctly designed, installed, or maintained,
it also highlights what happens if insufficient attention is paid to
factors like wind loading, material selection, or installation
practices, which likely played a role in the failure.
What made it stand out was that it related to my experience while back when a client requested a design for a large billboard at a ridiculously low fixed-rate fee. Naturally, I declined to undertake the project as it was not possible to design the structure safely for the rates the client had in mind.
Declining to undertake a design project at an unreasonably low fee is not just about business—it’s about upholding professional integrity and public safety.
As engineers, we are responsible for ensuring that our work adheres to the highest design, safety, and ethics standards.
Cutting corners or accepting fees that do not allow for thorough design and review can have catastrophic consequences.
Key Takeaways for Young Engineers:
Understand Your Worth
Engineering is a profession that requires expertise, precision, and responsibility. Your work impacts lives and infrastructure. Accepting projects at fees that undervalue your skills diminishes your professional standing and can limit your ability to deliver quality work.
Prioritise Safety Over Cost
Public safety must always come first. Please make sure your designs account for all relevant factors, including extreme weather conditions, material performance, and long-term maintenance.
Avoid "Bare Minimum" Designs
When budgets are tight, there's often pressure to cut corners. Resist the temptation. Undertaking subpar work under financial duress can lead to legal liabilities, damage to your reputation, and, most importantly, risk to human lives.
Educate Clients on Standards
Clients may not always understand the intricacies of engineering. Take the time to explain the importance of proper design, compliance with standards, and the potential risks of underfunded projects.
Stand Firm on Ethics
Declining a project when the fee does not allow for proper engineering practice is a mark of integrity.
By holding firm to these principles, you not only protect your career but also contribute to the broader goal of engineering excellence. Cases like the CROSS report highlight the dangers of shortcuts, reminding us why every calculation, every design decision, and every review matters.
Always strive to design for the long-term safety and benefit of the public.
https://lnkd.in/dSmwAMAu
What made it stand out was that it related to my experience while back when a client requested a design for a large billboard at a ridiculously low fixed-rate fee. Naturally, I declined to undertake the project as it was not possible to design the structure safely for the rates the client had in mind.
Declining to undertake a design project at an unreasonably low fee is not just about business—it’s about upholding professional integrity and public safety.
As engineers, we are responsible for ensuring that our work adheres to the highest design, safety, and ethics standards.
Cutting corners or accepting fees that do not allow for thorough design and review can have catastrophic consequences.
Key Takeaways for Young Engineers:
Understand Your Worth
Engineering is a profession that requires expertise, precision, and responsibility. Your work impacts lives and infrastructure. Accepting projects at fees that undervalue your skills diminishes your professional standing and can limit your ability to deliver quality work.
Prioritise Safety Over Cost
Public safety must always come first. Please make sure your designs account for all relevant factors, including extreme weather conditions, material performance, and long-term maintenance.
Avoid "Bare Minimum" Designs
When budgets are tight, there's often pressure to cut corners. Resist the temptation. Undertaking subpar work under financial duress can lead to legal liabilities, damage to your reputation, and, most importantly, risk to human lives.
Educate Clients on Standards
Clients may not always understand the intricacies of engineering. Take the time to explain the importance of proper design, compliance with standards, and the potential risks of underfunded projects.
Stand Firm on Ethics
Declining a project when the fee does not allow for proper engineering practice is a mark of integrity.
By holding firm to these principles, you not only protect your career but also contribute to the broader goal of engineering excellence. Cases like the CROSS report highlight the dangers of shortcuts, reminding us why every calculation, every design decision, and every review matters.
Always strive to design for the long-term safety and benefit of the public.
https://lnkd.in/dSmwAMAu
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