choosing consultants for a project
Hello all, I am studying for PjM and I always have a problem with any questions asking about assembling a team. I always miss one consultant or more who shouldn't be on the team. Is there any resource I can use to improve this issue?
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You need to Study the architecture profesional book this will help you understand PcM or PJM the consultant will be as basic services so the Architect or the owner consult with
the Architect hire the consultant C401 between architect and the consultant contact
Agreement
So the architect always has the authority to deal directly with design decisions including MEP . You have to understand the five phases in B101 standards form agreement between owners and architect
And A201 standards form agreement between owner and contractor -
For PjM “assemble the team” questions, the trick is to stop thinking in terms of a memorized list and instead match consultants to (1) scope, (2) site, and (3) risk/complexity. Think like a a Project Manager. Here’s a reliable way to avoid missing (or adding unnecessary) consultants.
A simple 3-step method that works on most ARE questions:
1) Start with the “always-likely” core team (most buildings)
- Architect (prime)
- Structural
- Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing (MEP)
- Civil (especially if any site work, utilities, grading, stormwater)
- Landscape (if exterior work is part of scope)
If the question mentions a tight budget or early phase, you may not hire every specialty up front, but you still identify them as “needed.”
2) Then scan the prompt for triggers (keywords → consultant)
Site / legal / due diligence
- Property lines, easements, topo → Survey
- Soil bearing, groundwater, unknown fill → Geotechnical
- Wetlands, contamination, Phase I/II → Environmental
- Traffic impacts, curb cuts, parking counts → Traffic/Transportation
- Floodplain / drainage issues → Civil / hydrology (often under civil)
Building performance / enclosure
- Persistent leaks, high humidity, recladding → Building envelope / facade consultant
- Acoustic/privacy, theaters, classrooms → Acoustical
- Daylighting, glare, lighting power compliance → Lighting designer
- Energy targets, certifications → Sustainability / energy modeler
- Commissioning required → Commissioning authority (CxA)
Program-specific
- Commercial kitchen → Foodservice / kitchen
- Healthcare → Medical equipment planner
- Lab / clean room → Lab planner
- Data center / heavy IT → IT/telecom
- Performance venues → Theater/AV
- High-security facilities → Security
- Historic building / landmark district → Historic preservation
Codes / life safety
- Complex occupancy separation, unusual egress, performance-based approach → Code / life safety consultant
- Fire alarm/sprinkler complexity (sometimes under MEP) → Fire protection engineer (common specialty add)
Cost / schedule
- Fast-track, GMP, high cost risk → Cost estimator (or CM’s precon team)
3) Finally, apply the “don’t add extras” filter (who should NOT be on the team?)
On the ARE, the wrong answers often include consultants that are:
- Too early for the current phase (e.g., niche specialty before programming unless risk is explicitly flagged)
- Duplicative (e.g., adding both “MEP” and multiple unrelated MEP sub-consultants when the scenario is simple)
Resources:
- AIA Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice has solid guidance on consultant roles and assembling the team.
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