Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does HarkerWize actually do? A: We sit alongside owners and design teams on tunnelling and trenchless projects from feasibility through delivery, bringing forty years of hands-on building experience into the rooms where the design is being shaped — so the scheme that goes to tender is one a contractor can build, at a price the funder can defend.

Q: Do you only work with consultants, or directly with asset owners? A: Both. About half our work is engaged directly by asset owners and scheme funders — three waters utilities, road controlling authorities, mining operators, and infrastructure agencies. The other half comes through Tier 1 consultancies that need a specialist in the team. The work is the same; only the contracting party differs.

Q: When should we engage HarkerWize? A: As early as you can. Pre-feasibility and concept are where the biggest decisions get made and our input has the most leverage. We engage at any stage — including dispute resolution and expert witness work after the fact. Earlier is cheaper.

Q: What types of projects do you work on? A: Underground, trenchless, and broader infrastructure projects of all types. Our value comes from understanding the complete picture — what a project needs technically, commercially, and operationally to be a success, whatever the delivery method

Q: Are you independent? A: Yes. We don't tender for build work. We don't have a parent contractor. We don't take referrals from contractors looking for inside-track. The advice you get is the advice we believe in — not the advice that wins someone else a job.

Q: What does an engagement look like, and how do you charge? A: Scope and duration vary. A focused feasibility review might be two weeks. A constructability review across design gates might run six months. Mobilisation assurance might be a focused two-month engagement. We scope to fit. We're moving toward outcome-based pricing — charging for deliverables rather than hours, on the basis that digital tools have made the work faster and the value is in the knowledge, not the time. Specifics are best discussed face-to-face.

Q: Do you provide project management services? A: We provide programme assurance and owner's-side delivery support — not contractor-style construction management. If you need someone to sit on your side of the table and pressure-test programme, methodology, and risk through delivery, that's us. If you need a builder to run the works, that's not what HarkerWize does.

Q: Will you sign an NDA? A: Yes. Standard practice. We work on commercially and politically sensitive projects regularly.

Q: Do your digital tools replace specialist advice? A: No. The TrenchlessIQ apps narrow options and accelerate decisions. The AI-Enabled Platform makes project knowledge accessible. Neither makes the call. The consulting work is where the calls get made.

Q: How do I trial the apps? A: Access the apps via the button in the Digital section for a 14-day trial of Planner or Monte Carlo. Subscription details are on the TrenchlessIQ platform. The AI-Enabled Project IQ Platform is configured per project — book a scoping call.

Q: How do you help reduce project risk and carbon? A: We surface trenchless and tunnelling risks early — ground baseline gaps, method-driven claim exposure, contract clauses that don't fit the work — and put mitigations in front of people who can act on them. WorkSafe Tunnelling HHU compliance is integrated from design. For carbon: the TrenchlessIQ Planner app surfaces CO₂e comparisons between alternative alignments and methods so the lower-carbon option can be chosen before the design locks.

Q: Do you work with NZS 3910, 3916, NEC, and FIDIC contracts? A: Yes — across all four. Pre-bid contract review, clause risk advice during negotiation, and dispute support if the contract is in flight.

Q: Do you provide expert witness or dispute resolution support? A: Yes. Independent technical opinions on method-driven claims, design adequacy, and contract administration disputes. Engaged through counsel or directly by either party.