Testimonials

What They Tell You is Pretty Much Spot On

In this interview, Robert reflects on over a decade of experience observing Porter Consulting Engineers (PCE) problem-solve and deliver on projects in many different contexts. Here he shares his personal opinion on why PCE is so highly regarded in the sector.

I understand that you recently retired. Can you describe the role you retired from?

For the last 11 years of my working life, I was a Senior Development Manager at LandCorp, and then that became DevelopmentWA. My main responsibility was doing residential, industrial and commercial land developments within regional towns. I was working everywhere from Geraldton out to Southern Cross, and right down to the South Coast.

When did you first work with Porter Consulting Engineers, and what did you engage them to do?

At LandCorp, we were trying to deliver a number of very small and “once in a generation” projects on behalf of regional local governments and were experiencing difficulty in trying to get engineers and contractors interested in doing them. They were pretty much-considered nuisance projects.

I amalgamated a number of projects and put them out to tender in an effort to attract private sector interest. PCE was one of several engineering companies that tendered to design, cost, tender and construct that initial round of projects. PCE has been awarded contracts for other projects since 2010.

What sort of work have they done since that initial engagement?

PCE assisted us to do feasibility on developments, to design and document projects, to tender and appoint civil works contractors to construct and service the projects. Where servicing issues arose, PCE was able to negotiate with government agencies and local governments to make sure that the project was “fit for purpose”, compliant and constructible.

What is Porter Consulting Engineers’ point of difference?

PCE is considered to be a mid-tier engineering firm with sufficient in-house resources to do the work that was needed to be done. I found PCE to be very professional and responsive, focussed on delivering an outcome for the client rather than chasing billable hours. I found that for the projects I was undertaking, PCE was more responsive and better suited than some of the larger engineering firms and had the in-house capacity that the one or two-person engineering firms lacked.

Can you comment on their level of industry knowledge?

PCE are up front with clients on what projects they will and won’t take on. When they do take something on, they have the expertise and resources within the organisation to follow the project through. I had PCE engaged in project feasibility and conception, design, tendering, awarding of contracts, client superintendent of contractors and inspection at the conclusion of the maintenance liability period. PCE demonstrated they are proficient in engineering designs and documentation, contract management and delivering quality projects to a budget. It’s a well-rounded team that they’ve got and have continued to maintain over the time that I’ve dealt with them.

How would you describe the quality of the work that’s been delivered? What are the elements that have impressed you the most?

I think I’ve done something like 20 or 30 projects with them over that time. They have been very honest in terms of what the project requires and what it will cost. They’ve taken projects from concepts to detailed designs, worked with us to secure competitive construction tenders and made sure the final project is delivered. I cannot recall a project that went over budget, notwithstanding we did encounter some unforeseen issues along the way. PCE actively worked with the contractors and with us to find solutions to issues that arose, to minimise the solution’s impact on the project budget and to ensure a fit for purpose and a compliant final project.

Can you recall examples of innovative solutions that they brought to you?

I was working in multiple small country towns, producing a small number of lots in each or providing alternate development options. I’m also aware that PCE has done some very large projects in the metropolitan area for the organisation and the private sector.

In regional towns, water management, traffic solutions and construction and servicing solutions are critical. The servicing agencies and local governments have limited finances and resources to go back and fix things. PCE has assisted local governments to contain, infiltrate or conserve every drop of water that happens to fall out there. PCE has actively worked with service agencies and local governments to provide innovative servicing solutions within our projects that are easy to maintain into the future. More often than not, they’re not high-cost solutions, but they’re practical solutions that achieve the outcomes required.

Can you offer any feedback on Porter’s interest in and knowledge of sustainable solutions?

I’ve attended numerous discussions with service agencies, where PCE has promoted an alternate level of servicing for subdivision lots, rather than just accept the norm. PCE have brought their technical knowledge to meetings with Western Power on issues such as microgrids, battery storage and so on, in developments. 

PCE assisted us to talk to the Water Corporation about some of the standards for fire servicing and so on, in subdivision. PCE were prepared to get involved in those discussions and were able to provide engineering perspectives to support alternate development approaches.

PCE has high standards of ethics as a core company value. Can you describe evidence that you’ve seen in your dealings with them?

I found PCE to be a very ethical company. Where they had given us fixed price quotes to do work, they have delivered engineering solutions without cutting corners. They worked with the client and the local governments to make sure that they delivered a product that everyone was comfortable with and was fit for purpose. They dealt with all the stakeholders in a very professional and ethical way. I certainly have no problem recommending them from an ethical viewpoint.

How would you describe their planning and execution process? Were the advanced timelines accurate and were the services delivered on time?

Generally, yes. I’ll put a caveat on that in that I knew our projects were always fill-in projects for the company. So again, I worked with PCE to make sure that they had plenty of lead time so that they could do their other work as well as fit us in.

When we did need to bring a project forward, the PCE team would get together with us and give us a delivery schedule. Usually, they met their deadlines quite comfortably. So much so that we were able to pre-programme project constructions to make sure we avoided wet weather and so on. PCE also understood that we had internal approval and financing processes that needed to be accommodated before we got final sign-offs.

What about the budget setting? Were the quotes accurate? Were any changes well communicated?

Yes, very much so. If PCE gave me an estimate of what a project was worth, I could rely upon that. When we did get to tenders, generally, the tender prices were close to what was quoted by PCE. During construction, they managed the construction phase to make sure that we remained within budget and there was no cost overrun. So, from a financial viewpoint, I was very pleased with what PCE did for us.

In terms of communication, what are they like to deal with as a company in terms of communication?

You could pick up the phone and talk to the staff within PCE at any time. I felt that they were never too busy that they wouldn’t get back to you and sort out a problem with you. I found they were also prepared to give us engineering advice even if it wasn’t a project that was on their books or it was something that was a “once off”. I never felt concerned when I contacted them on an issue or one of our officers needed an opinion on what seemed a menial issue. They were always extremely helpful and certainly gave their time to us quite willingly, and provided good quality advice.

The PCE approach is based on a high level of personal service?

Yes and more importantly, when you do catch up with them, they introduce you to the people that are doing the job. You know who you’re dealing with. After that initial meeting, emails go backwards and forwards very quickly. In that sense, it’s very much a personalised service that they provide.

There were instances where we did feasibilities for local governments, but did not proceed with the project. We put PCE in contact with the relevant local governments, and there were instances where those local governments independently engaged PCE to do a project. We encouraged the local governments to engage with PCE and ourselves as we developed the projects.

What do you nominate as their point of difference?

I think the point of difference is that PCE is a mid-tier engineering firm with competent and motivated people engaged to do the work. When they take you on as a client, you feel like you’re being treated as a valued client, and they are committed to assisting you to get your project up and running.

If you were speaking to someone looking for a reputable Perth civil engineering company, what would you tell them?

I’d suggest that if you are looking for civil engineering firms to undertake a project, you include PCE in your list. They are worthy of a phone call or email.

I have also had an association with PCE through my JDAP and local government employment for more than 30 years, and appreciate David Porter and his team’s capacity to deliver professional traffic and engineering advice. David was able to communicate detailed engineering concepts to laypeople in a manner that they could quite clearly understand what was going on. That ability to explain things has certainly rubbed off on the rest of the PCE team. You never feel like you are asking a stupid question of them, and they don’t treat any question as being stupid. They will always give you an answer. The PCE team are well respected, and what they tell you is pretty much spot on and can be treated with high regard.