Choosing a Service Format That Actually Fits

When you need a foundation for a 3500-ton extrusion press or a 2-meter thick slab for a wind turbine, the service format matters as much as the structural calculation. A full engineering contract, a phased advisory role, or a one-off design review each suit different project stages. The wrong format wastes time and budget.

We work with three service formats, each defined by the level of involvement and the deliverables. The first is a complete design-and-calculate package: we take the geotechnical report, the machine specifications, and the load scenarios, and we return a detailed structural model, reinforcement drawings, and construction specifications. This format works when the client needs a turnkey solution and has limited in-house engineering capacity.

The second format is a collaborative review. The client’s structural team produces a preliminary design, and we audit it for compliance with pretensioning standards, fatigue limits, and local building codes. We issue a written report with required modifications and optional improvements. This is common for projects where the client has internal engineers but wants an independent check before pouring concrete.

The third format is a targeted consultation: a half-day or full-day session to resolve a specific problem—unexpected soil conditions, a change in machine weight, or a crack pattern that appeared during curing. We review the data on site, run quick calculations, and propose a corrective action. No extensive documentation, no long-term commitment.

Each format has a clear boundary. The complete package requires full access to all project data and a lead time of four to six weeks. The collaborative review needs the client’s design files and a two-week turnaround. The consultation works on the same day or within 48 hours, but it does not include formal stamped drawings. Knowing these limits helps you choose the right format from the start.

We have used all three formats in the last twelve months. For a hydraulic press foundation in Córdoba, the client opted for the complete package because the machine supplier changed the load data twice during design. For a wind farm in Patagonia, the developer’s engineering team handled the basic layout and asked us to review the tendon profile and the fatigue verification. For an extrusion plant in Buenos Aires, a one-day consultation resolved a differential settlement issue that had stopped production for three weeks.

The decision depends on your internal resources, the project complexity, and the timeline. If you are unsure which format fits, we can discuss your specific case in a short call. No obligation, just a clear recommendation based on the actual constraints of your project.