Architects are often required to commission the services and fee proposals from geotechnical engineers. As we are not experts in this field it is prudent to ask the structural and or civil engineer to detail what geotechnical input they require for the specific project, or to directly commission the services. The geotechnical engineer needs to understand the project brief, complexity and scope to enable them to use their professional experience and knowledge to determine and identify relevant geotechnical risks and opportunities and how these may be appropriately addressed in their scope.