Engineering is a complex practice area because many of the branches overlap or blend with each other. Residential engineering is a good example of these blurred boundaries because it is a very complex task, involving a variety of areas of knowledge, practical skills, and sensitivity to customer needs in order to be successful.
Start with a definition
The practice of residential engineering involves taking engineering resources and applying them to work for clients that may include homebuyers, homeowners, lenders, realtors, and contractors. This work may involve a single home or a large community that will include thousands of homes, as well as schools, parks, and other features.
Look at the examples you see every day
Unless you live in complete isolation, chances are you’ve seen the projects created by these engineers. Large golf course communities, lakefront developments or even homes in downtown areas are within the reach of these professionals.
Some of the services they provide are:
– Website selection: Before any project can begin, the people who finance it must choose the right location. This involves consideration of surrounding areas, roads, potential zoning concerns, costs, and other factors that vary from project to project.
– surveying: Surveying is the process of determining the exact location and height of certain boundaries and structures that will play a role in positioning infrastructure and even property lines.
– Architectural Planning and Design: While not all companies offer architectural planning, it is an important part of the process because it takes into account all aspects of the project, from site selection to housing requirements. Also, depending on where you are building, there may be structural codes that must be adhered to and should be considered in the early stages of the project.
– Permits and rezoning: In many regions, there are zoning restrictions that may prevent a residential engineering project or the permits required to undertake certain types of development. A residential engineer must understand the process for rezoning a given area and obtaining the correct permits.
– Water: Whether it’s stormwater planning or ensuring there will be enough drinking water for people moving into a development, water resources and planning are a major concern.
– Building Management: Residential engineers are not restricted to the early stages of a project. In some cases, they also play an active role during the construction process, ensuring that structures are built according to plans.
Residential engineering is an exciting field because it is challenging and rewarding, requiring a great deal of knowledge and skill to create a product that will affect the lives of residents every day.
However, it is worth noting that many companies do not like to work in this area for various reasons; so be sure to ask any potential companies or groups if they can in fact handle your project in a way that meets the needs of their individual clients in a timely manner.
