4 Key Checklist Items to Consider When Selecting an Environmental Consultancy

The world that we are living in today is a lot different from what it used to be earlier. There has been more physical infrastructure built in the last few decades, than perhaps in the whole history of mankind. Similarly, industries are sprouting up all over the world. With the increased consumption of goods, this is not a surprise. There is also a spurt in real estate development in many places globally. All this rapid development has also raised concerns about damage to the economy. However, there is also a lot of good news filtering in from different parts of the world. Governments are doing a lot to improve the situation. Take the case of Australia, one of the leading economies globally. The country has got its own set of stipulations that need to be followed by project developers for getting their projects approved. There is a specific set of assessments that need to be completed. However, a project developer doesn’t need to know about these assessments. For example, an Effluent Disposal Report is something that a project developer may struggle to understand. Similarly, the 5 Part Test of Significance could sound Greek and Latin to a project developer. So, what do they do? Yes, you are right, seek professional help. There are many good environmental consultancies available around Australia, whose help can be sought. Here are a few tips on how to choose a good consultancy.

Seek opinions

You must immediately get in touch with those having business similar to yours. Some of them may have already hired the services of a consultancy. Find out about their experience. How did they choose a consultancy? What about the assessments? How much did they spend on the assessments? You can get clarification to all such questions from them.

Online help

This tip is rather easy to understand. It is well known to everyone that leading consultancies will have their websites. Note down their web addresses and start browsing for details. What is written on their website? What are the types of services that they are offering? What is the educational qualification of their team members? You can find answers to all such questions on their websites. Make sure that you are noting down their contact details.

Reviews help

Online reviews are another excellent way to find out about consultancies. There is nothing to beat user experience. Find out what others think about different environmental consultancies. What was their experience all about? Were they satisfied with the services of a consultancy? Online reviews are also a good way to find out about the leading environmental consultancies in your city. It will also help you to get an idea about the fees that are typically charged by the consultancies.

Budget Details

The other key decision that you need to make is on your budget. It will again depend on the various assessments that you are supposed to submit. For example, what is it that a consultant would charge for SEPP 55 Contamination Assessment? Similarly, if you want a Vegetation Management Plan, how long would it take and what would it cost? Being clear about your budget will help you make other decisions quickly.