13/08/2026
Important advice to clients
1)Do not choose contractors based only on the cheapest price. Low initial cost can lead to poor materials, delays, maintenance problems, and higher final costs.
2)Demand proper planning before construction. Architectural drawings, structural designs, soil investigation, quantities, estimates, and a realistic budget should come before major construction work.
3)Use qualified professionals. Clients should engage competent engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, and contractors and ensure that responsibilities are clearly defined.
3)Avoid constant changes during construction. Changes without proper communication and cost assessment often cause disputes, delays, and budget overruns.
Insist on quality materials and workmanship. Saving money by compromising critical materials is not a true economy.
4)Maintain transparent communication. Every major instruction, variation, payment, and agreement should be documented.
Think long-term. A building is an investment; safety, durability, functionality, and sustainability should be more important than appearance alone.
Advice to the engineering society
The engineering profession should promote ethics, competence, accountability, innovation, and public safety. Engineers should not compromise professional standards because of pressure from clients, contractors, politics, or financial interests.
I would especially emphasize that engineers must educate clients, not simply execute whatever a client requests. A good professional should be able to explain why a particular design, material, method, or budget is necessary.
A strong message for today
âOur responsibility as professionals is not simply to construct buildings, but to create safe, durable, economical and sustainable infrastructure that serves society. Let us encourage clients to invest in quality, and let us as engineers remain committed to integrity and professional standards. The cheapest project is not always the most economical project; the best project is one
