Survey highlights consultant perceptions

A significant proportion of consultants in the building-services industry generally have a progressive view of the future, according to research commissioned by the organisers of the exhibition H&V 05 at the NEC from 1 to 3 March. 75% subscribe to the ethos of partnering in construction projects. Overall, 25% are seeking to locate appropriate partners in the next five years, whilst 64% are not. 34% are likely to locate appropriate partners in the next five years, whilst 52% are not. Partnering has been beneficial for many consultants. 49% report increased profitability as a result of partnering, and 76% achieved improved product quality. A dominant 86% reported positive experience. Of the 163 consulting engineers in large and small practices across the UK, 83% reported that their clients care about energy efficiency and raised the issue on 53% of projects. 64% expect this figure to increase. Off-site fabrication is growing in significance. 48% of respondents use OSP on an average of 20% of their projects. Of these respondents, 63% expect the amount to increase in the next five years. A significant change in the role of consulting engineers in the next five years is expected by 32% of respondents. Of these consultants, 42% believe that consultants will have more involvement and responsibility for building design as a result of new laws relating to green issues. A much smaller proportion, 19%, believed that consultants will become less autonomous and increasingly directly employed by contractors and clients. The importance of legisation is expected to increase. 70% of respondents have clients who raise questions about the implications of new and impending legislation, raising the issue on an average of 73% of their projects. 56% expect this figure to increase. The research was jointly sponsored by Royair and Systemair.