Browse Forums Building Standards; Getting It Right! 1 Jun 24, 2014 5:54 pm Hi all, Another retaining wall question.. our neighbour cut, our builder filled. Basically to bring our yard to level we need a 1.4m retaining wall over about 20m. Due to height, we need council approval and drawings apparently (brisbane). Despite my googling I can't work out what type of person I need to draw up the retaining wall plans? Is it a civil engineer? Also wall quote based on what the retaining wall builder estimates an engineer would spec is 7k for hardwood rather than treated pine. Does this seem reasonable? Thanks for your thoughts! Re: Design of retaining wall - civil engineer? 2Jun 24, 2014 5:56 pm Yes a civil engineer is what you need, Sorry can't help with the costs. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Design of retaining wall - civil engineer? 3Jun 24, 2014 6:51 pm I had this exact same problem a few months ago. Took me forever to work out who to contact!! I got one engineer quote me $2500!!! Eventually found a firm in Brisbane who did it for me called DEQ engineering. I think it was about $250 including site visit and all necessarypaperwork. I was very happy with that and they were pretty speedy. Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: Design of retaining wall - civil engineer? 4Jun 24, 2014 6:53 pm P.s. Price sounds roughly ballpark right. If you intend to stay long term consider using galvanised steel posts instead of timber posts. You can still use timber sleepers but it means when they deteriorate in 10-15 years replacing them is a breeze. Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: Design of retaining wall - civil engineer? 6Jun 24, 2014 9:33 pm The $2.5k quote I got was from my only response on service seeking too! Indian type name from memory. Perhaps the same guy - he might have adjusted his prices a bit since I told him I found a reputable firm who did it for 10x less! Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: Design of retaining wall - civil engineer? 7Jun 25, 2014 7:17 am As for the cost of the wall itself with steel the costs are about 2500 + labour. You can construct the wall yourself it just must be designed and constructed to the engineered design specs. Re: Design of retaining wall - civil engineer? 8Jun 27, 2014 9:00 am EmyN I had this exact same problem a few months ago. Took me forever to work out who to contact!! I got one engineer quote me $2500!!! Eventually found a firm in Brisbane who did it for me called DEQ engineering. I think it was about $250 including site visit and all necessarypaperwork. I was very happy with that and they were pretty speedy. Quick question EmyN - other than DEQs work, did you have to do anything with council to get their sign off or such? I understand in brisbane a wall over 1m requires design and approval, but it's unclear whether an engineer would do "everything" ready to go from them. Re: Design of retaining wall - civil engineer? 9Jun 27, 2014 9:46 am Ummm from memory DEQ gave me the form I needed to get the council approval but I just passed that form on to my builder who submitted everything together for approval. So I'm not sure how to do it if you don't have a builder organising certificates etc for you. I imagine it would be fairly simple to call the council to ask. Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 3 6402 Thank you again Simeon.. I will call my certifier for that. Have a good day 4 5179 The engineering is the engineering. It's irrelevant how much material you have. Unless it fits the requirements of your design the engineer can't "make"it work. You might… 7 9687 |