Let me just preface this with saying that I am not trying to sell anything; just curious if the service exists and if it makes sense. I noticed that a couple of other fields have subscription based models; for example there are financial planners that will provide advice for a yearly fee and some doctors have started offering subscription services for routine medical care. I was wondering if there are already exists a service like that for structural engineers on the consumer level. It seems like professions that can provide ongoing value fit well into the subscription model. Every year a financial planner can help you adjust your portfolio so there is at least an incentive to continue the service. It seems like structural engineering doesn't necessarily fit into that model in the way that the service is typically consumed. Usually a customer will have a single project that they want done and hire an engineer. It seems like a structural engineer could provide ongoing value though if they could provide energy efficiency recommendations, maintenance recommendations, and a general house improvement plan that can be adjusted based on life circumstances. Do people think that the ongoing advice an engineer could provide would not be high enough to justify the cost of paying the engineer? Put another way are people under-consuming the services that structural engineers provide and would both parties if more of the service was consumed?
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Structural Engineering Subscription Service/Is Structural Engineering Under-consumed? 3
- Thread starter deyrup
- Start date
If you have occasional questions for a structural engineer, why not talk to someone local and give them a retainer. "Look I'll have the occasional question, let's say 6 per year, and they may take an hour or so to answer. If I give you $X to cover 10 hours of work would you support me ? Answers (to the questions) should email of simple text doc, not official stamped reports." As I write this I can see issues, I can see the engineer saying "I don't want anything written, just two blokes having a yarn down at pub, but I'll certainly take your money !"
another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?
another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?
It is an interesting idea. And I could see it being valuable for smaller firms - especially if they have building envelope expertise as Josh mentioned. But then, I think it would make more sense coming from a good Home Inspector. They are the "jack of all trades" folks - they know basic structure, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roofing, etc. Or, at the very least, they have a pretty good idea when something isn't quite as it should be. If they do $400 for a real estate inspection that has to be executed on short notice, I could see a "subscription" plan where they charge, say $250, and have you on the books year after year. It creates a reliable income stream, and they have more liability protections than engineers. Then, if they find something, they can refer you to an engineer, architect, etc.
As for the building sciences education - if you have a structural engineer with a degree in architectural engineering, they may be more suited to help you. Most of us have Civil Engineering degrees, though. So we study infrastructure type structures or structures in a very general sense, and learn how to apply it to vertical (building) structures during our internships/training periods.
As for the building sciences education - if you have a structural engineer with a degree in architectural engineering, they may be more suited to help you. Most of us have Civil Engineering degrees, though. So we study infrastructure type structures or structures in a very general sense, and learn how to apply it to vertical (building) structures during our internships/training periods.
I think the best way to do this would be to:
1) establish a retainer with someone for the year; (engineer knows they're already paid, so there's no collection costs on their end)
2) establish a limit of liability for all projects or consultancy; (engineer can give advice without fear of getting sued and consumer can get advice without an engineer's site visit and report)
3) ask the engineer to keep track of time in quarter hour increments. (consumer doesn't have to pay a large minimum fee for each phone call)
I have an architectural engineering degree, and after a few decades out of school you'd be surprised how little it helps with mechanical and building envelope issues. Most of what I've learned about these things has come from years of meetings with architects and mechanical engineers...and owning a house. (Although, I could also say that most of what I've learned about structural engineer came after school, too.)
1) establish a retainer with someone for the year; (engineer knows they're already paid, so there's no collection costs on their end)
2) establish a limit of liability for all projects or consultancy; (engineer can give advice without fear of getting sued and consumer can get advice without an engineer's site visit and report)
3) ask the engineer to keep track of time in quarter hour increments. (consumer doesn't have to pay a large minimum fee for each phone call)
I have an architectural engineering degree, and after a few decades out of school you'd be surprised how little it helps with mechanical and building envelope issues. Most of what I've learned about these things has come from years of meetings with architects and mechanical engineers...and owning a house. (Although, I could also say that most of what I've learned about structural engineer came after school, too.)
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- #26
NorthCivil
Civil/Environmental
The vast majority of structural engineers already work on a subscription service, they just don't realize it.
In return for a set amount of money provided every month, most engineers turn up to the same office every day and do most or all of the engineering put on their desk. This often amounts to much more work than they believed is fair, for the amount of money paid to them.
Also known as "working" for a "salary"
In return for a set amount of money provided every month, most engineers turn up to the same office every day and do most or all of the engineering put on their desk. This often amounts to much more work than they believed is fair, for the amount of money paid to them.
Also known as "working" for a "salary"
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