Engineering is a complex practice area because many of the branches overlap or mix with each other. Residential engineering is a good example of these fuzzy boundaries because it is a very complex undertaking and involves a variety of areas of knowledge, practical skills, and sensitivity to client 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 home buyers, 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 include the following:
– Site selection: Before any project can begin, the people who finance it must choose the right location. This involves consideration of the surrounding areas, roads, potential zoning issues, costs, and other factors that vary from project to project.
– Topography: Topography is the process that determines 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 taken into account in the early stages of the project.
– Permits and rezoning: In many regions, there are zoning restrictions that can hinder 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 proper permits.
– Water: Whether it’s planning for stormwater or ensuring there is enough clean water for people moving into a development, water resources and planning are a major concern.
– Administration construction: Residential engineers are not limited 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, and it requires a great deal of knowledge and skills 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 indeed handle your project in a way that meets the individual needs of their clients in a timely manner.