Fees Versus Quality

Abstract

Consultants are used for many types of planning, design and special services relating to actual construction. Negotiations by a government agency for any of these services is an important process. It requires good judgment, engineering experience, and knowledge of the business side of engineering work. This paper describes the methods used by a county public works department that has a large annual volume of construction. The paper is based on a presentation the writer made as part of a panel discussion at the 1987 ASCE National Convention in Anaheim, California.