Source: Manual of Professional Practice for Civil Engineers by Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc.

CLASSIFICATION OF ENGINEERING SERVICES

Services provided by Civil Engineers can be grouped into seven broad categories:
A. Consultations, research, investigations, and reports
B. Design services for construction projects
C. Construction services
D. Special services for construction projects
E. Engineering support services
F. Academic services
G. Services as Employee

A. CONSULTATIONS, RESEARCH, INVESTIGATIONS AND REPORTS

This services deal primarily with collecting, interpreting, and reporting information, together
with formulating conclusions and making recommendations. Typical services in this category are:

A1. Preliminary and Feasibility Investigations and Reports

These services usually precede the authorization of a capital project and may involve
extensive investigations, analyses of conditions, and comparison of several possible plans. These
studies may include the impact of a project upon the environment, sustainable development,
operating costs, life-cycle costs, financing considerations, and expected revenues as bases for
conclusions and recommendations regarding the advisability of undertaking a project.

A2. Planning Studies

These services may include the broad areas of developing the engineering requirements of
master plans for long-range capital improvement programs; preparation of preliminary engineering of
land development plans, urban plans, and regional plans; and the investigation of environmental
conditions and preparation of environmental impact studies with subsequent engineering planning to
improve or maintain existing conditions. Such planning often requires coordination of the work of
many engineering and other disciplines.

A3. Appraisals, Valuations and Rate Studies

These services may include investigations and analyses of existing conditions; capital and
operating costs; overhead costs and costs of financing; and revenues as needed to evaluate a
property or to recommend establishment of prospective rates.

A4. Assistance in Financial Matters

The Civil Engineer may be engaged by a client who is planning to issue bonds, particularly
revenue bonds, to finance a capital project. The scope of services may include an evaluation of
capabilities of existing or proposed facilities to meet present and future needs, statements of probable
construction cost, and an estimate of annual revenue requirements, with a determination of
appropriate rates to provide this income.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that
you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” - Colossians 3:23-24
Source: Manual of Professional Practice for Civil Engineers by Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc.

A5. Materials Engineering and Equipment Tests

These services include tests of materials and equipment under established codes and
standards, specialized examination of equipment and materials used in construction and industry,
and other inspections and monitoring required by a client.

A6. Direct Personal Services

This includes services such as assistance in preparation for legal proceedings. Appearances
before courts or commissions to render expert opinions and conclusions, and investigations of
technical matters where specialized civil engineering knowledge, experience, and judgment is
required.

A7. Research and Development

Research is a specialized investigation and gathering of data from existing resources or
through laboratory works and processes related to the purpose and object of the research. Research
and development may cover the following:

(a)Development of new construction materials and methods from concept to commercialization

(b)Improvement of construction materials and methods through exhaustive studies to reduce total
construction cost and at the same time improve quality

A8. Special Services

These services can vary to suit special needs of the client and can include such diverse
activities as:
 Value Engineering
 Appraisal and valuation
 Load testing
 Environmental evaluations
 Traffic engineering
 Forensic engineering for structural and other failures
 Operational assistance
 Materials design process
 Pilot studies
 Computer modelling
 Safety engineering
 Topographic, sounding and boundary survey engineering
 Toxic and hazardous waste evaluation
 Permit and application services
 Sales and marketing service
 Expert witness
 Representation of municipal or private entities in projects proposed for privatization

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that
you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” - Colossians 3:23-24
Source: Manual of Professional Practice for Civil Engineers by Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc.

B. DESIGN SERVICES FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Civil engineering services are required for each of the six typical phases of a construction
project. All services are preferably furnished by the same Civil Engineer for consistency and
efficiency, although at times services in various phases are furnished by different engineers or by the
client. The services are supplemented by special services which may be provided by the client, a
specialized engineer, or another Civil Engineer.

The six standard phases of a construction project and the engineering services needed for
each are:

B1. Study and Report Phase

This phase involves determination of project scope and economic and technical evaluation of
feasible alternatives. The services performed during this phase may include:

1. Reviewing available data and consulting with the client to clarify and define the client’s
requirements for the project.
2. Advising the client as to the necessity of providing or obtaining from other additional data or
services and assisting the client in obtaining such data and services. These additional services may
include photogrammetry, reconnaissance surveys, property surveys, topographic surveys,
geotechnical investigations and consultations, seismicity studies, compilation of hydrologic data,
traffic studies, materials engineering, assembly of zoning, deed and other restrictive land use
information, and environmental assessments and impact statements.
3. Identifying and analysing requirements of governmental authorities having jurisdiction to approve
the design of the project and participating in consultations with such authorities.
4. Providing analyses of the clients’ needs, planning surveys, comparative evaluations of prospective
sites and solutions.
5. Providing a general economic analysis of the client’s requirements applicable to various
alternatives.
6. Preparing a report and presenting alternative solutions available to the client with the Civil
Engineer’s findings and recommendations. The report may contain schematic layouts, sketches,
conceptual design criteria with appropriate exhibits to indicate clearly the considerations involved
(including applicable requirements of governmental authorities having jurisdiction) and the Civil
Engineers conceptual opinion of probable costs for the project.

B2. Preliminary Design Phase

This phase involves the establishment of the general size and scope of the project and its
location on the selected site. The preliminary design services may include:

1. Consulting with the client, reviewing preliminary reports, clarifying and defining the project
requirements, reviewing available data, and discussing general scheduling. Conferences may also be
required with approving and regulatory governmental agencies and applicable utilities.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that
you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” - Colossians 3:23-24
Source: Manual of Professional Practice for Civil Engineers by Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc.

2. Advising the client as to whether additional data or services of the type described under the study
and report phase above are required and assisting the client in obtaining such data and services.
3. Preparing preliminary design documents consisting of final design criteria, preliminary drawings,
outline specifications, and written descriptions of the project.
4. Preparing revised estimates of probable total project costs.
5. Providing periodic status reports.

B3. Final Design Phase

This phase of project development is usually undertaken only after the client has approved the
preliminary design phase material. The basic services for the final design phase may include:

1. Preparing construction drawings and specifications showing the character and extent of the project
based on the accepted preliminary design documents.
2. Preparing and furnishing to the client a revised estimate of probable total project costs based on
the final drawings and specifications.
3. Furnishing the necessary engineering data and assisting in the application for regulatory permits
from local or national authorities. This is distinguished from and does not include detailed applications
and supporting documents for government grants-in-aid or planning grants that would be furnished as
additional services described later in this section.
4. Preparing design documents related to construction contracts for review and approval by the client
(and the client’s legal and other advisors). These may include contract agreement forms, general
conditions and supplementary conditions, invitations to bid, instructions to bidders, insurance and
bonding requirements, and other contract-related documents.
5. Furnishing to the client specified number of copies of drawings, specifications and other contract
documents.
6. Providing final design and construction services for design-build contracts. The engineer generally
serves as a subcontractor to a general contractor during the initial planning and design phases.
Services provided by the engineer may extend through construction phase, as appropriate.
7. Providing periodic status reports.

B4. Bidding and Negotiating Phase

Services under this phase may include:

1. Assisting the client in advertising for and obtaining bids or negotiating proposals for each separate
prime construction contract, maintaining a record of prospective bidders to whom bidding documents
have been issued, attending pre-bid conferences, and receiving and processing deposits for bidding
documents.
2. Issuing addenda as appropriate to interpret, clarify, expand or amend the bidding documents.
3. Assisting the client in determining the qualifications and acceptability of prospective contractors,
subcontractors and materials suppliers.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that
you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” - Colossians 3:23-24
Source: Manual of Professional Practice for Civil Engineers by Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc.

4. Consulting with and advising the client as to the acceptability of alternative materials and
equipment proposed by the prospective constructors when substitution prior to the award of contracts
is allowed by the bidding documents.
5. Attending the bid opening, preparing bid tabulation sheets and providing assistance to the client in
evaluating bids or proposals and in assembling and awarding contracts for construction, materials,
equipment and services.

B5. Construction Phase

Services under this phase involve consulting with and advising the client during construction
and are usually those associated with service as the client’s representative. Most Civil Engineers are
not willing to assume the responsibilities associated with construction phase services without
providing resident project representative services at the site. The construction phase services may
include:

1. Reviewing, for compliance with design concepts, shop and erection drawing submitted by the
constructors.
2. Reviewing laboratory, shop, and mill test reports on materials and equipment.
3. Visiting the project site at appropriate intervals as construction proceeds to observe and report on
the progress and the quality of the executed work.
4. Providing services during construction by a full-time resident project representative, and by
supporting staff as required, to enable construction to be accomplished in conformance to the
construction drawings, specifications, and other contract documents.
5. Issuing instructions from the client to the contractors, issuing necessary interpretations and
clarifications of contract documents, preparing change orders, requiring special inspections and
testing of the work, and making recommendations as to the acceptability of the work.
6. Making recommendations to the client on corrective actions or contractual measures that may be
exercised by the owner.
7. Preparing sketches required to resolve problems due to actual field conditions encountered.
8. Determining amounts of progress payments due, based on degree of completion of the work, and
recommending issuance of such payments by the client.
9. Observing and assisting performance test and initial operation of the project.
10. Preparing record drawings from information submitted by the contractor.
11. Making a final inspection and reporting on completion of the project, including recommendations
concerning final payments to contractors and release of retained percentages.

B6. Operation Phase

At the completion of construction, the Civil Engineer may as a basic service, assist in the start-
up of project operations. The Civil Engineer may be commissioned to prepare a manual for both
operation and maintenance requirements, and may also provide assistance in adjusting and
balancing equipment, identifying deficiencies and assisting in obtaining corrections, and performing
inspections prior to the end of the project warranty period. The Civil Engineer may assist in operator

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that
you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” - Colossians 3:23-24
Source: Manual of Professional Practice for Civil Engineers by Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc.

training, setting up job classifications and salaries, organizing the purchase of supplies, developing
charts for recording operational data, and observing and reporting on project operations.

C. CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

 A registered Civil Engineer may engage in construction contracting after being licensed as a
contractor by the Contractors Accreditation Board. It is considered unethical for a civil engineer
to allow his license to be used by any other construction company except his own.
 A registered Civil Engineer may provide the services of a supporting technical employee as
required of a construction company. He shall however, be paid the professional fees, in
addition to his regular salary, for any design work he performs for which he signs as
professional Civil Engineer and/or engineer on record.
 A Civil Engineer may be employed as a construction engineer, resident Civil Engineer, project
engineer, quality control engineer, cost engineer or engineer inspector in a project. In
accordance with section 23 of RA544, only registered Civil Engineer can take charge or
supervise construction or alteration of any building or structure and any other civil engineering
works mentioned in Section 2 of the mentioned Republic Act. The Civil Engineer when
employed is similarly required to comply with the code of ethics of the profession as the
consulting Civil Engineer.

D. SPECIAL SERVICES FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Special Services required during the study, design, construction, and operation phases of a
construction project may include investigations, reports, and activities beyond the scope of the basic
services. These services, many of which are also listed earlier in this section under the category
“Consultations, Investigations, and Reports”, may relate to the clients decisions as to the feasibility
scope, and location of the project. The research, compilation of engineering data, and acquisition of
property may involve professional specialists in engineering and other fields.

Special Services that may be provided by the Civil Engineer or negotiated with other firms or
sub-consultants by the Civil Engineer acting on behalf of the client could include:

1. Geotechnical engineering – including test borings, sampling and analysis, and recommendations.
2. Special studies, tests, and process determinations to establish design criteria or demonstrate
compliance.
3. Land surveys, establishment of boundaries and monuments, preparation of easement descriptions,
and related computations and drawings.
4. Engineering and topographic surveys for design and construction.
5. Mill, shop, or laboratory inspections of the materials and equipment.
6. Additional copies of reports, construction drawings, specifications, and other documents as
required for bidding and construction beyond the number specified in the Basic Services agreement.
7. Extra travel and subsistence as defined by the agreement for engineering services.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that
you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” - Colossians 3:23-24
Source: Manual of Professional Practice for Civil Engineers by Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc.

8. Value engineering – including review of the work of other engineers, either within the same
organization or in other firms to determine whether a proposed solution is optimum and, if not, to
suggest a better approach for meeting the project’s functional and financial criteria.
9. Redesign to reflect changes requested by the client or necessitated by the client’s acceptance of
substitutions proposed by the contractor.
10. Assistance to the client as an expert witness in litigation in connection with the project or in
hearings before approving and regulatory agencies.
11. Final investigations involving detailed consideration of operation, maintenance, and overhead
expenses; preparation of final rate schedules, and earning and expense statements; appraisals,
valuations, and material audits or inventories required for certification of force account construction
performed by the client or for extra work done by the contactor.
12. Preparation of detailed applications and supporting documents, grants or advances for public
works projects.
13. Plotting, computing, and filling of subdivision plans, staking of lots, and other land planning and
partitioning activities.
14. Preparation of environmental assessment and impact statements and other assistance to the
client in connection with public hearings.
15. Additional studied and design efforts to meet special conditions encountered during construction.
16. Assistance to the client in the selection and engagement of architects, other engineers,
contractors and subcontractors, and observation and approval of their services or work; contacts with
governmental agencies to obtain permits and documents; and other services related to the project
development.
17. Assessment of a completed project’s ability to meet its design intent relative to capacity,
maintainability, operability, or reliability.
18. Computer simulation and modelling.

E. ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES

The professional services described above often require engineering support services.
Geotechnical engineering, for example, frequently requires services such as taking soil and rock
borings, excavating test pits sampling and identifying soil and earth materials, field and laboratory
tests and geophysical measurements and observations. The engineering support services in general
civil engineering practice may involve drafting, land and construction surveying, and other data
gathering activities for specialized purposes. Although persons who are not Civil Engineers
sometimes accomplish some of these tasks, the procurement of adequate and correct data usually
requires professional Civil Engineering judgment and guidance. Since soundness of any engineering
decision is dependent upon the accuracy and suitability of data obtained in field and laboratory
investigations these supporting services must be under the guidance of the Civil Engineer whose
decisions will be based upon those data.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that
you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” - Colossians 3:23-24
Source: Manual of Professional Practice for Civil Engineers by Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc.

F. ACADEMIC SERVICES

These services involve full or part time teaching or training of prospective professionals and
also the upgrading of knowledge and skills of fellow professionals. Academic services may include:

a. Teaching of civil engineering courses in engineering colleges/universities on part/full time basis. As

per RA8981, all subjects for licensure examinations shall be taught by persons who are holders of
valid certificates of registration/professional licenses and professional identification cards, or special
temporary permits, or a valid certificate of competency for the profession issued by the Commission,
and who comply with the other requirements of the CHED.
b. Lecturing in civil engineering courses designed by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers for
practicing engineers who want to obtain CPD credits.
c. Conducting tutorials/refresher courses on civil engineering concepts and related subjects
d. Serving as a Resource Speaker in Technical Session.
e. Writing technical articles and pamphlets.

G. SERVICES AS EMPLOYEE

This is a condition when a Civil Engineer engages to perform work or fulfil duties regularly for
wages or salary being paid by an employer.

 A Civil Engineer may be employed for any position or function in any commercial or
institutional organization. Where he is performing civil engineering functions, he is required to
follow the code of ethics for Civil Engineers and comply with the standards and guidelines of
PICE manual. A licensed Civil Engineer may not allow his license to be used by the company
that employs him without proper agreement for his professional services. Where the firm he is
working for uses his license to sign and seal the plans, specifications and contract document,
the Civil Engineer must charge the professional fee for said services.
 A Civil Engineer in part time employment with a firm is considered to be an employee and the
same time a consultant of the firm. The standards for an employee and an individual
consultant as defined in the PICE manual apply to this Civil Engineer.
 Any Civil Engineer employed as an individual consultant of any firm, whether the firm is
performing engineering, commercial, administrative, management or financial services is
required to comply with the requirements and the standards herein established for a consulting
Civil Engineering firm or consulting Civil Engineer.
 All Government Civil Engineers employed by the instrumentalities of the Government e.g.
national and local, shall be governed by the pertinent existing laws and regularities and
particularly to those prescribed by the Civil Service Commission. In case of any conflict with
any of the provisions of the Manual of Practice, such pertinent laws and regulations shall take
precedence and shall govern.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that
you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” - Colossians 3:23-24