45-MINUTE SESSION · NO FEE · NO OBLIGATION
Talk to a senior engineer about your project
Get clear direction on your project before committing to design or construction. In a focused 45-minute session with a senior engineer, we’ll review your site, identify risks, and outline what’s required to move forward with confidence.
50+
YEARS EXPERIENCE
20,000+
PROJECTS DELIVERED
4
NZ OFFICES
5
IN-HOUSE DISCIPLINES
COMMON ENQUIRIES
Questions we can help you answer
The session gives you clear direction before you commit further time and cost. Questions we often discuss include:
WHAT TO EXPECT
What happens during the meeting
Project overview
01
You walk us through your site, plans and objectives. We listen first, so the discussion is based on your actual situation rather than broad assumptions.
Budget and timeline
04
Where enough information is available, we provide an initial review of likely engineering costs, sequencing and programme so you can plan with less guesswork.
Site and risk review
02
You walk us through your site, plans and objectives. We listen first, so the discussion is based on your actual situation rather than broad assumptions.
Clear next steps
05
You leave with a clearer path forward, including what should happen next, what information may be needed and the order in which to approach it.
Engineering scope
03
We outline the investigations, information and design inputs your project is likely to need, helping you plan ahead and reduce surprises during detailed design or tender.
THE CASE FOR ACTING EARLY
Why early advice costs less than late surprises
Many avoidable delays and cost increases begin with engineering risks that are discovered too late: during detailed design, consenting or construction, when the available solutions are fewer and more expensive.
An early conversation can help you:
Identify ground, site and natural hazard risks before design begins
Reduce the likelihood of consent delays caused by missing information
Avoid redesign when important constraints are identified late
Focus investigations and design effort where they will add the most value
Form an early view of the likely engineering scope, costs and project sequence
Because our disciplines work together from the start, we can identify risks earlier, while there are still straightforward, cheaper options available. Left until later, the same changes could mean redesign, delay and disruption costs.
PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION
Chartered engineers across multiple disciplines
Your planning meeting is conducted by a senior engineer with professional accreditation across the relevant discipline for your project.
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IN PRACTICE
How an early meeting changed a project's direction
Cook Costello was engaged early on a commercial development in Northland. The client had already purchased the site and commissioned preliminary architectural and structural concepts, including an initial foundation approach. Reviewing the available information, our engineers identified three significant risks that had not yet been fully considered.
01 Foundation suitability
Based on local ground knowledge and experience on nearby projects, the proposed foundation concept was unlikely to be suitable without further investigation and development.
02 Structural sensitivity
The architectural and structural systems were highly sensitive to differential ground movement. If the foundation did not perform as expected, the consequences would be significant.
03 Project feasibility
Early cost estimates relied on a foundation solution that would require substantial revision before consent or construction could proceed.
THE OUTCOME
The value of the meeting was giving the client a more realistic picture of the project's technical risks. They left with the right questions to ask, a clear view of the risks that mattered, and concrete next steps, at a stage when meaningful choices were still available.
BOOK YOUR SESSION
Book your meeting with an engineer
Complete the form and a member of our team will be in touch within one business day to confirm your session and assign the appropriate senior engineer.
45-minute session with a senior engineer
Covers site feasibility, engineering scope, indicative costs, and next steps
Available in person at our Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch or Whangārei offices, or via video call
No fee. No obligation to proceed.
What to include
A short description of your site and project is all we need to get started. If available, concept plans, site sketches or photographs may also provide helpful context for the discussion.
Note: The session provides strategic advice and guidance. Any detailed assessment, site investigation or design required for your project would be set out in a separate proposal.