Frequently Asked Questions

DO YOU DO SMALL JOBS?

We are happy to quote on any small structural job.

HOW LONG WILL MY JOB TAKE?

As a general rule, for standard small jobs we will endeavour to finish the job within one week from the job being booked in or where we need to complete an inspection, one week from the date of the inspection. Please note that these times are just a guideline. If you do have specific time frames to meet, please discuss this with us prior to booking your project in.

I NEED AN ENGINEER TO DO A STRUCTURAL INSPECTION, HOW MUCH ADVANCE NOTICE DO YOU NEED?

We will generally be able to book an inspection at your property within 1 or 2 days.

DO YOU DO JOBS OUTSIDE OF THE PERTH METRO AREA?

Yes. We cover all metro Perth from Yanchep to Mandurah. Should your project be outside of these areas, please give us a call and we will let you know if we are able to travel to your area.

WHAT DO I NEED TO PROVIDE FOR YOU TO GIVE ME A FIRM QUOTE?

This is dependent on the type of project.

All Projects – Client Name, Client Address, Client Phone Number, Client Email Address, Type of project (ie, wall removal), Job Address, Building Type (house, single or double storey).

Extensions / New Builds / Fences – We require architectural drawings.

Wall Removal – Whether the wall to be removed is internal or external wall, number of walls to be removed and are they in the same area of the house.

Unauthorised Works – Plans of the work done if they are available.

You can call us or email us to give us the project details.

CAN YOU PROVIDE CERTIFICATION FOR UNAUTHORISED / RETROSPECTIVE WORKS?

Yes. The first step towards structural certification of unauthorised works is for one of our engineers to attend site to view and measure up the unauthorised works area. They will then come back to the office and calculate whether the works are structurally adequate or not. If further works need to be done to bring the works up to standard, we will provide you with recommendations to do this. Once the works are deemed structurally adequate, we will provide a letter of structural certification.

As a general rule, all unauthorised work must also be certified by a building surveyor. The building surveyor must sign off either a BA3 (Certificate of design compliance), BA17(Certificate of construction compliance) or BA18(Certificate of building compliance) certificate so that you can lodge an application for building approval with your council.

Varies by complexity. Extra inspections or investigations may add cost.

Any limitations

We cannot take responsibility for hidden work or incomplete information.

Retrospective Approval Client Checklist

Before we can assess your retrospective works, please provide:

1. Basic Information

Your name and contact details
Site address
Description of the work completed

2. Evidence of Construction

Photos taken during construction
Photos before walls/linings were closed
Any sketches or drawings
Material receipts or supplier documents
Builder statements or declarations

3. Access Requirements

Confirm if the area is accessible
Advise if any linings need to be removed
Provide safe access (ladder, clear space, etc.)

4. Regulatory Documents (If Applicable)

Building surveyor request
Council correspondence
Previous engineering documents

5. After Assessment

Be prepared to arrange rectification if required
Provide updated photos or access for re‑inspection

We can organise the building surveyor sign off for you through WABCA/BASIC APPROVALS Consultants.

DO I NEED COUNCIL APPROVAL TO REMOVE A WALL IN MY HOUSE?

We believe that you should gain council approval for any wall removal as you are structurally altering the property, however this is up to the individual home owner/builder.

DO YOU SUBMIT TO COUNCIL ON MY BEHALF?

No. We do not submit documents to council however, we will provide you with everything you need to enable you to fill in the forms to submit to council.

Shop Detailing Review – How the Process Works

Shop drawings are detailed fabrication drawings prepared by the builder, fabricator, or supplier. Our role is to review these drawings to confirm they align with the engineering design intent — not to redesign or take responsibility for fabrication accuracy. Here’s how the process works.

1. Submit Your Shop Drawings

Send us the shop drawings prepared by your fabricator or supplier. These should include:

Member sizes
Connection details
Dimensions
Materials
Fixings and brackets
Any manufacturer specifications

The more complete the drawings, the faster the review.

2. We Review for Engineering Compliance

We check the shop drawings against our engineering design intent, including:

Structural adequacy
Compliance with our engineering documentation
Compatibility with the approved design
Any obvious inconsistencies or omissions

We do not verify fabrication accuracy, site measurements, or builder coordination.

3. Clarifications or Amendments

If something doesn’t match the engineering design, we will:

Provide comments
Request amendments
Ask for additional information

Your fabricator will then revise the drawings and resubmit them if needed.

4. Final Review

Once the drawings meet the engineering intent, we issue a shop drawing review confirmation. This is not a certification of fabrication or installation — it simply confirms the drawings align with the engineering design.

5. Client Responsibilities

To avoid delays or errors, the client must:

Confirm all dimensions on site
Ensure drawings match the actual construction method
Check that details suit the intended installation
Contact us if anything appears unclear

We cannot take responsibility for incorrect measurements, fabrication errors, or builder coordination issues.

6. What’s Not Included

Our review does not cover:

Fabrication accuracy
Site measurements
Installation sequencing
Builder or supplier errors
Hidden conditions or site constraints

These remain the responsibility of the builder, fabricator, or client.