How we work

Join at any stage, from first study to start-up

Five engagement models, each with a defined scope, named deliverables and a clear commercial basis. Choose the one that matches where your project is today.

Engagement modelWhere it fitsStages of a project
01DefineFeasibility & options
02DevelopConcept & FEED
03EngineerDetailed design
04DeliverProcure & fabricate
05CommissionInstall & start-up
01Study & due diligenceFixed price02Engineering packageFixed price or milestone03Owner's engineerAlongside you04Equipment & modular supplyFixed price, staged05EPC & commissioning supportDay rate or milestone
CAC delivers the scopeCAC works alongside your contractor
Fixed price
01 / 05

Study & due diligence

A bounded technical question answered in writing: feasibility, technology selection, treatability testing or an independent design review.

Best when

You need a clear answer before committing capital: whether it is feasible, which technology fits and what it will cost.

You receive

  • Report and recommendation
  • Basis of design
  • Cost estimate
  • Technology comparison
Project stagesDefineDevelopEngineerDeliverCommission
Discuss this engagement
Fixed price or milestone
02 / 05

Engineering package

FEED or detailed multidisciplinary engineering for procurement, fabrication and construction.

Best when

The concept is agreed and you need a design that can be priced, procured and built.

You receive

  • PFDs and P&IDs
  • Equipment datasheets
  • 3D model and layouts
  • Specifications and MTOs
Project stagesDefineDevelopEngineerDeliverCommission
Discuss this engagement
Day rate or retainer
03 / 05

Owner's engineer

CAC on your side of the table: reviewing deliverables, comparing bids and verifying progress.

Best when

Another contractor is designing or building, and you want an independent engineer working for you.

You receive

  • Design review records
  • Bid evaluation reports
  • Progress and verification reports
  • Technical queries closed out
Project stagesDefineDevelopEngineerDeliverCommission
Discuss this engagement
Fixed price, staged
04 / 05

Equipment & modular supply

Vessels, skids and modular systems engineered by CAC and fabricated by specialist partners.

Best when

You need a vessel, skid or modular unit engineered to your process and delivered tested.

You receive

  • Fabrication drawings
  • Inspection and test plans (ITPs)
  • FAT records
  • Tested equipment
Project stagesDefineDevelopEngineerDeliverCommission
Discuss this engagement
Day rate or milestone
05 / 05

EPC & commissioning support

A defined technical scope inside your delivery team, from procurement to start-up.

Best when

Your project is in procurement, construction or start-up and needs engineers inside the team.

You receive

  • Site reports
  • Punch lists
  • Commissioning records
  • As-built mark-ups
Project stagesDefineDevelopEngineerDeliverCommission
Discuss this engagement
Process

How an engagement runs

The same six steps apply whichever model you choose, from the first email to the final handover.

01

Brief

Send the facility, the scope and your timing. An engineer replies within one business day.

02

Scoping call

We confirm the question to answer, the data available and the constraints on site.

03

Proposal

A written scope with named deliverables, programme and commercial basis.

04

Kick-off

Design basis, interfaces and review gates agreed with your team.

05

Staged delivery

Work proceeds in stages, with a review at each gate before the next one starts.

06

Handover

Deliverables issued, comments closed and the next stage scoped if you need it.

Principles

The same in every engagement

Whatever the size of the scope, these four commitments do not change.

01

One point of contact

A named lead engineer runs your scope and answers for it, from kick-off to handover.

02

One design basis

Process, mechanical, piping, electrical, civil and control engineers work from one model and one design basis.

03

Gated decisions

Work is staged with review gates, so you can stop, adjust or proceed at each decision point.

04

Written scope

Every engagement starts with a written scope, named deliverables and the commercial basis agreed up front.

Questions

Frequently asked

Not sure which model fits? Send a short brief and an engineer will reply within one business day.

Ask an engineer
Can CAC join a project that is already under way?

Yes. Owner's engineer, design review and EPC support scopes are built for projects in progress. We start from your current documents and agree what we review, produce or verify.

How are engagements priced?

Studies and engineering packages are usually fixed price or paid against milestones; owner's engineer and site support are usually day rate or retainer. Every proposal states the basis before work starts.

Can we start with a small scope?

Yes. Many projects start with a study or a design review and continue into an engineering package once the basis is agreed. Each stage can be contracted separately.

Who manufactures the equipment?

CAC engineers the equipment; fabrication is carried out by specialist fabrication partners, with inspection and factory acceptance testing to an agreed test plan.

What do you need from us to start?

A short brief: the facility, the scope and your timing. Existing drawings, data or reports help, but they are not needed for a first conversation.

Learn how CAC can help you engineer, build and run your next water, energy or industrial project.

Contact us