The Top 3 Questions to Ask a Potential Technical Advisor

Reading Time: 12 minutes
Key Takeaway: Choosing the right technical advisor starts with asking the right questions—and these three will quickly reveal their true capability.

Introduction (PAS Framework, ~120 words)

If you’re planning an energy project, solar installation, or EPC upgrade, you already know how risky things can get without proper guidance. The wrong advisor gives vague answers, misses red flags, and leaves you to deal with delays, extra costs, or disputes. That’s the problem many building owners face.

The agitation comes when you realise most advisors sound good on paper—but only a few can truly protect your interests. So how do you tell the difference?

In this article, “The Top 3 Questions to Ask a Potential Technical Advisor,” you’ll learn the simple but powerful questions that reveal whether an advisor is experienced, trustworthy, and capable of supporting your project from start to finish.

Summary Box

Title: The Top 3 Questions to Ask a Potential Technical Advisor
What You’ll Learn:

The three questions that instantly reveal a technical advisor’s real skill
How these questions protect you from costly EPC or energy project mistakes
Red flags that tell you when an advisor is not suitable
What a qualified advisor should confidently explain
How to choose someone who will defend your interests, not the contractor’s

Main Section (Eighth-Grade Reading Level, 2400 Words, Exact Keyword Included)

Choosing the right technical advisor is one of the most important steps when planning an energy project, EPC project, or any major upgrade to your building. The advisor you choose will guide your decisions, check technical details, protect your budget, and make sure you get what you paid for. This is why you must know “The Top 3 Questions to Ask a Potential Technical Advisor.” These questions help you quickly see if the advisor is honest, skilled, and ready to support you.

In this article, we will go through each question one by one. We will explain why the question is important, what a good advisor should answer, and what red flags you should look out for. By the end, you will feel confident when selecting someone to guide your project. You will also know how to avoid the wrong advisor—because choosing the wrong one can cost you far more money than hiring a good one.

Section 1: Why Choosing the Right Advisor Matters

Before discussing “The Top 3 Questions to Ask a Potential Technical Advisor,” it is important to understand why the advisor plays a key role in your project success. Many building owners think a technical advisor is just an “extra consultant,” but this is not true. A technical advisor acts as your personal protector throughout the project. They look at your project from your point of view—not from the contractor’s view.

A good advisor helps you:

Understand your EPC proposal
Check energy savings claims
Confirm that the equipment selected is suitable
Verify that contractors are following standards
Review drawings and calculations
Inspect installation work
Ensure commissioning is done properly
Verify cost, timeline, and technical accuracy
Protect your long-term return on investment

If your advisor is weak or silent, your project might face:

Delays
Cost overruns
Wrong system sizing
Low-quality installation
Poor energy performance
Disputes between you and the contractor
Contracts that favour the contractor instead of you

This is why asking the right questions helps you avoid problems early.

Section 2: The Top 3 Questions to Ask a Potential Technical Advisor

Now, let’s look at “The Top 3 Questions to Ask a Potential Technical Advisor.” These questions will help you understand the advisor’s real experience, technical strength, and professionalism. Make sure you ask these questions during your first meeting, whether it is online or face-to-face.

Question 1: “Can you show me actual examples of problems you’ve solved for clients?”

This is the first and most important question. Many advisors will say they have a lot of experience. But experience is not about how many years they worked—it is about how many problems they have actually solved.

A good advisor should be able to give real examples. They should explain:

What the problem was
How they discovered it
What steps they took to solve it
What the final result was
How the solution helped the client

They should also explain in simple terms, not with complicated technical jargon.

What a good advisor will say:

“We found errors in the EPC proposal and corrected the calculations.”
“We identified equipment that was oversized or undersized.”
“We helped the client avoid unnecessary costs.”
“We verified actual energy performance before final payment.”
“We helped resolve a dispute between the client and contractor.”

Red flags to watch for:

They only talk about theory
They give very vague answers
They cannot explain past work clearly
They change the topic
They only talk about what the contractor did, not what they did
They have no proof or examples

Why this question works:

It forces the advisor to show real experience, not just superficial knowledge.

Question 2: “Are you independent from any contractor, ESCO, or supplier?”

The second question in “The Top 3 Questions to Ask a Potential Technical Advisor” helps you understand if the advisor truly works for you. Some advisors quietly work with contractors or suppliers. When this happens, they cannot give you unbiased advice. They might hide problems or avoid pointing out mistakes because they want to protect their contractor friends.

This is very dangerous for you as a building owner.

A good advisor should:

Confirm they do not receive commissions from contractors
Confirm they do not work for an ESCO
Confirm they are not tied to any equipment supplier
Explain how they remain neutral
Share their code of ethics

A poor advisor may:

Avoid answering the question directly
Say things like “We work together with contractors very closely”
Show unclear links with suppliers
Have suspicious ties to certain brands
Promote a specific contractor without reason

Why independence matters:

An independent advisor will:

Protect you if there is a dispute
Give honest feedback
Review proposals fairly
Reject low-quality work
Help negotiate contract terms
Prevent hidden costs

If your advisor is not independent, then their advice may not protect you.

Question 3: “How will you communicate and report progress throughout the project?”

The third part of “The Top 3 Questions to Ask a Potential Technical Advisor” focuses on communication. Many projects fail not because of technical issues, but because nobody communicates clearly. You need an advisor who will update you regularly, explain what is happening, and highlight risks early.

A qualified advisor will:

Provide weekly or bi-weekly progress reports
Share photos and inspection notes
Summarise risks clearly
Provide recommended solutions
Track whether the contractor is following the schedule
Confirm if testing and commissioning is done correctly
Highlight safety concerns
Update you before problems get bigger

Red flags:

“We will update you as needed.” (This means they may disappear.)
“We do not have a fixed reporting format.”
“We usually give verbal updates only.”
“We wait for the contractor to inform us.”

Why this question matters:

You need visibility. You must know what the contractor is doing at every stage. Proper reporting also gives you written proof if there is a dispute later.

Section 3: Additional Questions You Can Also Ask

Although the article focuses on “The Top 3 Questions to Ask a Potential Technical Advisor,” here are more questions that can help you make a stronger decision.

Additional questions:

“Can you explain your technical review process?”
“How do you check energy savings claims?”
“Do you verify drawings and calculations?”
“What is your role during commissioning?”
“How do you ensure safety standards are followed?”
“Can you support dispute resolution if needed?”
“What is your inspection checklist?”
“How do you ensure project quality stays consistent?”

These questions help you understand how detailed, careful, and structured the advisor is.

Section 4: What a Good Technical Advisor Looks Like

If you want to see whether the advisor is truly reliable, here are the signs of a strong technical advisor.

Qualities of a good advisor:

Clear communication
Honest about risks
Independent from all contractors
Strong technical knowledge
Can explain things in simple terms
Uses checklists and structured processes
Pays attention to details
Always on-site when needed
Protects your interests
Helps prevent disputes
Supports the project from start to finish

Signs the advisor is not suitable:

Talks too generally
Cannot show proof of past work
Tries to impress you with complicated jargon
Avoids discussing problems they solved
Acts like a salesperson
Works too closely with a single contractor
Gives unrealistic promises

The goal is to hire someone who acts like your shield—not a silent bystander.

Section 5: How These Questions Protect Your Project

Asking “The Top 3 Questions to Ask a Potential Technical Advisor” protects your project in many ways. These questions help you choose someone who is reliable, skilled, and transparent. They also help you avoid an advisor who might cause problems later.

Here is how these questions protect your project:

1. They reveal real experience

Many people claim to be experts, but only those with real case studies can answer confidently.

2. They confirm independence

You avoid advisors who may be biased or influenced by contractors.

3. They show how the advisor communicates

Good communication means fewer surprises, fewer mistakes, and fewer disputes.

4. They prevent future disputes

A strong advisor will detect early errors, reduce risks, and manage documentation properly.

5. They save you money

Avoiding mistakes is cheaper than fixing them.

6. They ensure your contract protects you

Advisors help review agreements, clarify responsibilities, and safeguard your ROI.

7. They give you peace of mind

When you know someone is watching over your project, you can focus on running your business.

Conclusion + Call to Action

Choosing the right technical advisor can decide whether your project succeeds smoothly or becomes stressful and expensive. By asking “The Top 3 Questions to Ask a Potential Technical Advisor,” you can quickly identify who is truly experienced, independent, and capable of protecting your interests. These questions help you avoid advisors who are vague, unclear, or biased. A good advisor will guide your decisions, check technical work, monitor contractors, and prevent costly mistakes.

If you want an advisor who will protect your project from start to finish, WhatsApp or call 0133006284 today. The right technical advisor will save you money, reduce your risks, and make your entire project smoother from day one.

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