Key Questions to Ask When Hiring a Cannabis Engineer for Your Next Project
Hiring the right cannabis engineer for your facility is critical to ensuring efficient operations, minimizing costly mistakes, and reducing maintenance challenges. Unlike traditional engineering projects, cannabis facility design requires specialized knowledge that combines horticulture, plant biology, and the technical demands of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Cannabis Engineer
To make sure you hire the best engineer for your cannabis project, ask the following key questions:
Do They Have Experience in the Cannabis Industry?
When hiring a cannabis engineer, it's essential to verify their experience within the cannabis space. Cannabis facilities have unique requirements, such as precise temperature and humidity control, specialized lighting, and advanced HVACD systems designed to support plant growth. Does the engineering firm do other building types or only cannabis.Make sure to ask for case studies and project examples to confirm their familiarity with these controlled environments and infused product manufacturing.
How Much On-Site Construction Experience Do They Have?
Hiring a cannabis engineer with on-site tool belt wearing construction experience can be a game changer. While design is important, real-world challenges often arise during the construction phase. Engineers who have hands-on experience will better anticipate issues and offer practical solutions. Ask about their involvement in past projects to ensure they’ve managed construction-related challenges effectively.
Can They Integrate Horticultural Science with Engineering?
A skilled cannabis engineer understands that designing systems for a cultivation facility isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about supporting the biological needs of the plants. The integration of horticulture and engineering is crucial, as systems like HVACD must be designed to foster optimal growth conditions. When hiring a cannabis engineer, ensure they can demonstrate their knowledge of how plant biology impacts their design choices.
Do They Understand Your ROI Needs?
A cannabis facility is a significant investment, so your engineer needs to understand your return on investment (ROI) goals. Whether you're prioritizing a cost-effective solution or focusing on long-term profitability, the right cannabis engineer will align their designs with your financial objectives. Ask for examples of how they’ve helped other clients improve ROI through their cannabis engineering solutions.
Are Their Systems Easy to Maintain?
Complex or hard-to-maintain systems can lead to frequent breakdowns, higher operational costs, and unnecessary downtime. When hiring a cannabis engineer, ask how they ensure their systems are not only effective but also easy to maintain. A well-designed MEP system should be user-friendly, helping to streamline operations and reduce maintenance efforts.
Will They Advise You on Critical Decisions?
Hiring a cannabis engineer means bringing on a trusted advisor who can guide you through the project. You need someone who will give you honest feedback, even if it challenges your original ideas. Whether you’re deciding on materials, system designs, or budgetary constraints, they should be able to counsel you on how each decision impacts your overall project and ROI.
Do They Have a History of Creative Solutions?
Cannabis is a fast-evolving industry with shifting timelines and budgets. When hiring a cannabis engineer, look for someone who has a track record of creative problem-solving. Ask for examples of how they’ve handled tight budgets or fast-tracked projects to ensure you’re getting someone who can adapt to your project’s unique challenges.
How Responsive Are They?
Responsiveness is key when hiring a cannabis engineer. Facility issues don’t always follow a 9-to-5 schedule, so it's important to work with someone who is accessible when problems arise. Check testimonials or ask for examples of how they’ve handled urgent situations for previous clients to ensure they’re available when you need them.
Can They Provide Solid References?
Finally, when hiring a cannabis engineer, always ask for references. Speaking with previous clients is one of the best ways to gauge their work ethic, reliability, and the quality of their designs. Good references will confirm that the engineer has a solid track record of delivering successful cannabis projects.
By asking these questions, you'll have a better sense of the cannabis engineer’s expertise, reliability, and how well they align with your project’s goals.
Why Partner With Anvil Agrinomics
At Anvil Agrinomics, we specialize in designing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems for the cannabis industry. Our team of cannabis engineers understands the unique demands of controlled cultivation environments and infused product manufacturing. We’re committed to creating designs that are easy to maintain, aligned with your financial goals, and optimized for the success of your facility.
About the Author: Jim Megerson, PE, LEED AP
With a career dedicated to engineering excellence, Jim Megerson’s work at Anvil Agrinomics has culminated in the successful delivery of nearly 40 projects across 15 states, encompassing about 1 million sqft of cannabis cultivation and manufacturing spaces. His team's expertise in creating cost-effective solutions has been pivotal in supporting customers to thrive in the emerging markets of medical and recreational cannabis, as well as future organic indoor agricultural farming. The goal is always to optimize plant propagation through precision in temperature and moisture control.
Passionate about sustainability, he applies creativity and innovation to every project, aiming to minimize the impact of built spaces on the natural environment. His commitment to sustainable design and operations reflects in the work he does, ensuring functional spaces that are conducive to not just living and working, but also to the growth and health of plant life.
