While it is obvious that a new build will require a mechanical engineer to oversee the project, there are also many reasons why expansions and remodels of existing buildings also benefit from the oversight of an expert engineer.
If you are planning to expand or remodel your commercial building, here are a few reasons you should hire a professional mechanical engineer to get the job done.It is no surprise that the construction industry is not exempt from “Murphy’s Law” (i.e. anything that can go wrong, will go wrong). One of the best things that you can proactively do to avert problems before they arise is to have an expert on hand from the beginning to prevent a problem, not wait until one has already occurred.
Hiring a professional mechanical engineer is a good idea even for a seemingly simple remodel. It is quite literally their job to look at things in a different way than the average building owner, fitter, or anyone else would. A mechanical engineer knows how to look at the big picture while understanding how each piece must function and fit together. This kind of oversight is instrumental for a well run project.
With a professional on staff to plan and execute your remodel or expansion, you are sure to avert a myriad of disasters that may have befallen the project without them.
Per the previous point, there will always be things that go awry when you are putting together something as complex as a commercial building. Chances are that the initial construction of your building came with at least a few quirks or perhaps even a potential problem just waiting for their moment to burst onto the scene.
In addition to creating an overarching plan for the building, a professional mechanical engineer is also there to act as a creative problem solver at a moment’s notice. If an underlying issue is uncovered that will compromise the integrity of your project, it is best to already have the right person around to resolve the problem quickly and efficiently.
Potential problems and hazards aside, there is more than one safe and effective way to put together a commercial building, and the industry has continued to develop and learn as technology and time marches on. With an existing building that is more than a few years old, there are always going to be advances in systems that were not available at the time of the initial construction.
Again, it is the job of a professional mechanical engineer to see things differently. While your goal for the remodel or expansion is to transform the space, the engineer will see all of the ways that it could be made more efficient, and what better time is there to make those types of improvements than when you are already undergoing a remodel anyway?
Any remodel or expansion project, large or small, can benefit from the keen eye of a professional mechanical engineer to avoid problems, quickly resolve any that arise, and to capitalize on opportunities for system improvements.