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Recent content by mwest

  1. mwest

    Load Testing for Concrete Bridges

    I am looking for a method or peice of equipment to use to determine whether or not an existing concrete bridge (built in 1921) will carry up to 40,000 lbs. Any ideas? Thanks, Doug
  2. mwest

    Tomorrow's Engineer: Why Are We A Commodity?

    Wow! Before I read the replies to this submittal I didn't realize I should be depressed. I didn't know I was being "commoditized". Since when doesn't any profession or industry have to compete in this society? In 7 years I have only lost one job because I gave a higher price than the other...
  3. mwest

    Starting a Consulting Firm in CA

    cah2oeng: I just realized that you posted your question in May. Hopefully by now you are up and running and successful. I did exactly the same thing in 1997. I spent the first two years doing work on the side while working my other job building a client base and MORE IMPORTANTLY, building...
  4. mwest

    Inc. Verses LLC or Nothing

    kvillebasser: I started out as a one man firm asking the same question you are. I studied the hell out of california corporation and LLC law (as best I could) and what it came down to was the same question that any other businessman would ask himself - Is anything other than sole...
  5. mwest

    Health Insurance

    After my COBRA expired I converted my plan to a Blue Shield group coverage. I had only one employee at the time and the group plan was actually cheaper than a family plan even though I paid my employee's premium. My employee left and I do not offer health coverage to my current employees. I...
  6. mwest

    Bidding Lump Sum Civil Engineering Job

    For the 7 years I've been in business as a consulting engineering (primarily land development and civil design in northern California) I've never been able to develop a good procedure for bidding on a lump sum design job (e.g., all civil plans and spec's, plus drainage report and other misc...

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