Be ready with your project brief
As with any project, before you get to choose the right supplier, you will have to be clear first on what you really need. Before seeking out potential environmental consultants, it is best to have your project brief ready first.
At its very basic form, your project brief should have bullet points on what document, process or infrastructure are you planning to build, when do you need it done by (timeline), how much are you willing to spend for it (budget) and how would you like your chosen environmental consultant to help you (deliverables).
Cost is always a critical area, so be advised that while it is an important factor, it shouldn’t be the determining factor. If you are lucky enough to find a consultant that will be able to deliver your needs excellently, within timeline and with utmost professionalism, then they’ll probably be worth a little extra– considering that they will also probably be able to save you from unprecedented costs in the future as a result of misjudgments.
Look into their track record
Every brand and organization will say the best things about themselves whether online or offline, but it is really only by the fruits that you will recognize their true caliber. Take time to browse their portfolio, and if possible, visit at least one or two of their past project sites.
Past implementations that are very similar to your vision would be a plus, too. Select your consultant as you would select a doctor. You wouldn’t hire the best cardiologist to treat your bone problems.
Check their credentials
When you are seeking a consultant, you are primarily looking for professionals and experts to give you the best advice and implement your vision with the right knowledge and skills.
Together with your request for proposal, you will also want to ask for the credentials of the team that will be assigned to your project– what are their individual educational backgrounds, licenses and certifications. You will also need to ask the consulting firm’s accreditation with the government, licenses and permits to conduct the undertaking that you are outsourcing to them.
Determine the scope of work
Ideally, your project brief should already have a segment that enlists the scope and limitation of work areas to be assigned to the environmental consultants. If you are unsure about your project needs and what work needs to be done for you, it will be wise to seek professional advice. The consultant that you are speaking with should have ample expertise when it comes to technical and even legal areas of your project and be able to assist you with determining your scope of work.
Request a Proposal
It will be best to obtain at least three (3) proposals before selecting the best possible consultant for your project. When requesting for proposals, make sure to ask them to include client references that you can call to verify the success of their past projects and their level of professionalism.
Everything you have learned about each environmental consulting firm through their submitted proposal, reference checks and the interview should provide enough information for you to select the right consultant for your project.
When you are done with the due diligence items outlined above, you are now at your best possible take-off stance. If you ever need help along the way, #TeamGreenDev will always be just an email or conference call away.
: If you are looking for the best environmental consultants and engineers in the Philippines, try GreenDev Solutions.
Click the SET APPOINTMENT button below to schedule your free assessment call with our consultants.