Top 10 Essential Tips for Hiring Dedicated Architects for your Projects

In today’s competitive digital landscape, hiring dedicated architects and MEP engineers is a transformational move to ensure project success. Dedicated hiring has been gaining momentum in the AEC industry for the past few years, allowing firms to hire global talent for working on specific projects.

“Dedicated Resource” is a term especially used by business owners who want to get their work done by other dedicated professionals with accomplished experience immediately and within reasonable costs. The dedicated hiring model enables company owners to develop meaningful partnerships with other AEC professionals and leverage multiple benefits.

Whether you're a small-scale venture with limited resources or an established company willing to expand the project teams, finding and hiring the top dedicated architects and MEP engineers can be daunting.

This article provides ten essential tips to navigate through the hiring process and make informed choices.

Success Story : Construction Firm Expands Team by 30 Architects & Engineers in 2 Months

Essential Tips for Hiring Dedicated Architects and MEP Engineers

In this guide, let's walk through 10 essential tips for hiring dedicated remote architects and MEP engineers for efficient and accurate workflows.

Enlist Project Requirements

A document before starting a hiring process is a well-developed project brief, outlining the scope of work, deadlines, and required skill set.

A detailed brief regarding architectural design or MEP services ensures remote employees are acquainted with all the project requirements and other specific nuances.

Emphasize Expertise and Specialized Skill Set

AEC projects require expertise and technical proficiency, especially in unexplored niches such as sustainable design, BIM, or energy-efficient MEP systems.

While employing dedicated remote architects or MEP engineers, it is crucial to find candidates well-equipped with the knowledge of the required niche for the project's success.

For instance, if the project requires an advanced HVAC system, the firm needs an MEP engineer with a proven track record in that particular domain.

Prioritize Communication Skills

Communication is the essence of project management, especially in the case of remote working. Clarity of thoughts, the constant communication of updates, and providing detailed feedback facilitate seamless continuation of workflow.

The firms should prefer hiring dedicated architects and MEP engineers proficient with tools such as Slack, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams and offer flexibility for working across various time zones or are willing to overlap hours with a global team in urgent situations.

Read More : Hiring In-House Architect vs Dedicated Remote Architect

Evaluate Portfolio and Previous Work

A portfolio reflects the expertise and experience of an AEC professional. While hiring dedicated architects or MEP engineers, examine the previous projects explicitly to gain a better understanding of the candidate's skill set.

The portfolio displays not only the designs or blueprints but also elaborate explanations of the candidate's role in the project, the challenges, and how they were solved. Evaluating portfolios will help examine the candidate's skills that align with the project requirements.

Analyze Familiarity with AEC Software

Project designing and modeling in the AEC industry involves various software including AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, Navisworks, and many others.

Remote employees should be familiar with all these software and the multiple tools required for the desired results. In addition, they should be aware of collaboration platforms like BIM 360 or Asite for real-time coordination.

Conduct Technical Assessments

While portfolio evaluation is relevant, technical assessment sheds light on the candidate's field knowledge. The detailed analysis validates the competency and expertise of the remote architect or MEP engineer, assuring that they are a suitable choice for the desired role.

A few practical tests can involve solving real-life design problems or analyzing their approach to dealing with situations in the AEC industry.

Read More : 8 Common Mistakes to Avoid in AEC Outsourcing

Consider Cultural Fit and Collaborative Talent

For streamlined teamwork and efficient workflows, especially in dispersed environments, cultural fit is a considerable quality while hiring dedicated resources. The firms should ensure the dedicated hires share a collective set of values and work ethics that align with the company's objectives and work culture.

Good teamwork and collaboration are essential for sophisticated AEC projects. Hire candidates who can easily collaborate with the existing in-house team and comfortably work with other stakeholders to create a cohesive workflow.

Yearn for Flexibility and Adaptability

Remote working in the AEC industry typically requires flexibility and adaptability as scope of work shift suddenly, challenges emerge, and client expectations and demands change.

Ideal candidates should be not only technically capable but adaptive to switching priorities. Flexibility ensures remote teams pivot when necessary and thus avoid project delays.

Negotiate a Transparent Contract

Ensure the contract is explicit and inclusive before making a decision for dedicated remote hiring. The contract should indicate payment terms, deliverables, timelines, and confidentiality agreements.

A transparent contract avoids miscommunication and makes room for the involvement of both parties before a mutual agreement on final terms & conditions.

Read More : Top 7 Revit Tips for Innovative AEC Design

Establish a Strong Project Management Framework

Invest in a robust project management framework emphasizing key milestones, regular check-ins, and consistent progress tracking. The AEC firms can use different platforms to establish a seamless discourse with remote employees and stay updated with the nuances of working on the assigned project.

Appoint project managers to closely manage deadlines and act as liaisons between clients and the remote team to eliminate delayed deadlines.

Hiring Dedicated Architects and MEP Engineers with DRM Solutions

Dedicated Resource Model(DRM) is a specially designed recruitment model by Virtual Building Studios to facilitate hassle-free hiring from the global pool of top 1% of architects and engineers.

The AEC firms can connect with 200+ trained professionals who can instantly boost project efficiency and are even equipped with the US-based working model.

Key Benefits of Hiring dedicated MEP engineers and architects with DRM solutions

• Employees shortlisted from the pool of top 1% of architects and engineers
• Save significant time and money
• Round-the-clock working on a project
• Dedicated resource offers specialized expertise
• Cultural-Fit resources with a proven track record
• Onboard the suitable employee within 3 days
• Immediate amendments and implementation of solutions
• Qualified and fully trained professionals
• No long-term commitments or lock-in periods for hiring
• Timely updates regarding work progress
• Emphasis on client requirements and company's objectives
• Commitment to quality-driven and tailored services

How to Access DRM Solutions for your projects?

Here’s a quick 3-step process to enjoy a streamlined recruitment and onboarding process

• Make a discovery call and connect with team VBS to share business details and desired project goals.
• Get the most suitable resource from the shortlisted pool of global talent within 3 days.
• Onboard and start working on the project instantly with extremely efficient professionals and expand as and when required.

Successfully Hiring Dedicated Professionals with DRM Solutions

Tesla expanded their team of architects and engineers from 1 to 5 with an average onboarding time of 3 days for Space planning and Scan to BIM services.

Hiring dedicated professionals eradicated the hassle of obtaining and evaluating multiple quotes, simplifying the workflow for the company. Tesla adopted DRM solutions for around 15 projects, two of which are elucidated below:

A Manufacturing Facility - California

• The project scope entailed Scan to BIM services for an 80,000 sq ft area with LOD350 in architectural and structural regard.

Office Space - California

• This project was approached from an architectural aspect for Space planning services. The dedicated hires delivered the project with LOD 350 for a total area of 146,350 sq ft.

The DRM solutions saved significant completion time and offered three times cost savings while maintaining the quality standards of the company.

Conclusion

The AEC industry is experiencing the transition towards the remote hiring culture with rising demand for employing worldwide talent. Hiring dedicated remote architects and MEP engineers provides easy access to a global talent pool, enabling the firm to hire beyond geographical constraints and engage global expertise for successful project execution.

Hiring dedicated architects and MEP engineers can bring immense value to the projects, but it requires a thoughtful approach. By focusing on industry-specific experience, strong communication skills, technical proficiency, and cultural fitting, the firms can ensure that the new hires contribute effectively to company growth.

Another simplified approach for the AEC firms can be leveraging DRM solutions for a tailored hiring process and access global talent that aligns with the project requirements, integrating seamlessly within the team dynamics. Hiring dedicated and skilled resources is a strategic move to transform your ideas into reality and enhance your development capabilities concurrently.

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