Complex projects occasionally arise that require large amounts of engineering time for concept preparation, review, design, development, prototype construction and testing.  In such instances a project, for a fee, may be proposed as a non-recurring engineering expense. 

The conduct of such projects identifies and isolates these costs as opposed to including them within the quotation for an end product.  With an approved concept, a bill of materials can be prepared that leads to a relatively accurate estimation of the product's cost and its price.  The company and the client are thus spared the associated risks of under or over estimations.  

Typically, the assigned project engineer travels to the client's site, meets with appropriate personnel, observes, measures, exchanges views and ideas.  Consensus is obtained on the project's objectives and approaches to the solution of the problems that gave rise to the project.  The engineer returns to the shop and prepares conceptual drawings for review, modification and approval.  The fixed fee includes a standard engineering billing rate and related travel expenses.  Alum-A-Lift is the only known company in its business that provides this service.  

Projects have been successfully conducted on behalf of such organizations as Lawrence Livermore Laboratories, Hewlett Packard, Lockheed, Raytheon, Intel, Texas Instruments and Sikorsky to mention a sampling.