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13/07/2021

What is the difference between Civil Engineering and Site Engineering?

There is a common misconception that Civil and Site Engineering are the same jobs, however this is not the case. It is important to separate the two so that Civil or Site Engineers are not put under pressure to complete an activity that is not a part of their job description. Below we have outlined the difference between what Civil and Site Engineers provide and how their job differs in varying parts of the project development.

What is Civil Engineering?

Simply put, Civil Engineering is made up of the buildings you see around you. Civil Engineers create structures such as bridges, schools, power supplies, offices and so on. They design to ensure that the towns and cities we live in are accessible to us all. 

There is more to Civil Engineering than meets the surface. Civil Engineers work on projects that shape the world, not only for now but for generations to come, their designs need to be created to withstand the weather and environment changes. This is maintained by attending meetings to discuss and present findings to an intricate level so that nothing is overlooked. 

What is Site Engineering?

Construction Site Engineering is another phrase used to describe Site Engineering.

They are responsible for administration and quality control of the work, this is from the design throughout to the completion.

Site Engineers work as part of the construction team, they assume the supervisory position and guide and advise their crew members along the way to ensure that the project reaches completion. Some of their job responsibilities include making sure the site is safe, negotiating with suppliers to ensure the best outcome and providing feedback to the team.

Site Engineers are essential to the success of a build, they are the first point of contact for giving advice and ensuring that the project runs smoothly. Think of them as the glue that holds everything together. Without them the site is more likely to fall apart, and as we know, a well managed site makes for a well structured build. A building is a legacy that will speak for itself long after all involved are gone, so it is important that the right supervision is provided.

What are the differences when working?

Although both Civil and Site Engineers go through the same categories to complete the build, the way they go about them is slightly different. These differences are crucial to make sure the final project is completed in time and on budget.

Project: 

Civil Engineers investigate the site and make sure the land is feasible for the construction. They then design and calculate the specificities of the build all before the construction can get under way.

Site engineers make sure the development is advancing according to the construction plan. They plan and create schedules for the team and undertake surveys to make sure the land titles are transferred correctly. Site Engineers have first hand experience in changing 

Documentation:

Keeping in contact with the client is the job of the Civil Engineer. They must discuss how the project is going and must also liaise with architects and other relevant job titles to gather their professional opinions on the build and make changes where appropriate.

Likewise Site Engineers will also be required to liaise with others, however they are instead in contact with the contractors/subcontractors. They must monitor the performance of these contractors to ensure that they are maintaining a high quality of performance throughout the build.

Budgeting and Project Completion:

Managing the resources and budgets is the job of the Civil Engineer. They should ensure that the project remains within budget and is finished within the timeframe.

Site Engineers have to make sure that the project is meeting the budget throughout the build, by taking the lead when purchasing the materials or supplies needed. The small details that they provide help to make sure the project is completed at the highest quality. 
Although it might seem that some of the jobs both Civil and Site Engineers have to ensure are completed sound very similar, there are slight differences that stand them apart. These differences mean that without one the other cannot operate to their fullest so it is important to ensure that both types of engineers communicate accordingly. Here at East Anglian Site Engineering we provide high quality Site Engineers with experience across multi disciplines to make sure your site runs efficiently and smoothly. The road to success is always under construction, so let us help you build your road, for more information on our Engineers contact us on 016032 11808 or email us today at info@easeltd.co.uk

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