Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Structural Engineer causes problems. What can I do? 4Nov 02, 2008 10:11 pm Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves. - Dale Carnegie Re: Structural Engineer causes problems. What can I do? 7Nov 03, 2008 7:21 pm Hi, this guy should be reported to the state engineer registering authority, and the tax department. His behaviour is unethical, unprofessional and illegal (everyone else pays taxes, why shouldn't he?). If he has * to you, who says he hasn't * to get registered? With these ethics, who says he hasn't been a slap-happy with the engineering calculations?
Garn. Re: Structural Engineer causes problems. What can I do? 8Nov 03, 2008 7:31 pm orange I paid by cash. Today I checked, he is registered because he has an ABN number on his letterhead email. That is a relief. At least now I know that his work is correct. I don't trust him, that is why I really don't want him to finish off the job. The only way I would consider going back to him and get it finished off would be if another engineer were to greatly overcharge me. Even then, I would not be happy about going back to him, who knows what he is thinking to do to me. I would rather pay the rest ($1,500) to an honest engineer worker, at least I will be sure that they will do the job correctly and completely with no troubles. Just hope the next engineer I find is more honest and less troublesome. But all of this is normal. It would be sort of a miracle if an owner builder were to have absolutely no problems, not even a small one. Also, he won't give me a computer (CD) copy (Autocad DWG File). He said "I don't do that". He said he just gives out paper copies only. (I have 4 copies). Are they enough for an owner builder? Isn't the cd copy supposed to be part of the price? It would be easier if he gave me a cd copy as I can make more copies when the subcontractors need them. Now I am going to get another quote from another company to finish off the job. orange, The fact that he has an ABN does not mean he is registered as a Certified Practicing Engineer (CPEng). Check him out on https://fwas.engineersaustralia.org.au/ ... h/home.jsp. Let us know if he's registered. Cheers, Casa Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Structural Engineer causes problems. What can I do? 9Nov 03, 2008 7:37 pm If your project is in melbourne then the engineer will need to supply a certificate of compliance for the building permit. If he hasn't then he is operating illegally and must be reported to building commission, don't know much about other states but could be similar conditions
Anyway its not nomal to provide CAD drawings to clients because they can change things without the engineer knowing, but normally if yourve engaged another engineer to "finish/redo' the engineering its common for the new engineer to ask a copy of cad drawings directly from the old engineer to speed and reduce the costs of starting all over again etc. 4 copies is bit slim, 6 usually is more common, but then again since you didn't get a quote in the first place that would of stated how many copies he would of given he now probably just did the bare minimum, hate to see how bad his drawings could be but then again I'm just being abit negative and his drawings could be quite good. Lets hope so for you. Hope he helps the new engineer and subsequently helps you. Re: Structural Engineer causes problems. What can I do? 10Nov 03, 2008 10:38 pm Casa2 The fact that he has an ABN does not mean he is registered as a Certified Practicing Engineer (CPEng). Check him out on https://fwas.engineersaustralia.org.au/ ... h/home.jsp. Let us know if he's registered. The fact that the engineer is a CPEng (Chartered Professional Engineer) is insufficient. CPEng status simply means that you are keeping your qualifications up to date by regular education, seminars, etc....that is sufficient points/hours to prove to the Institute of Engineers that you kept up to date in the year being tested. I have CPEng status but I cannot undertake "building work" because I am not a Registered Building Practioner...I have other post nominals so that I can work in the field of engineering I do work in. Whilst I can and have done structural engineering computations (in non "building work") any work I do for "building work" would need to be verified by an RBP. RBP's are recognised by the Building Commission and are insured. Which is why I wouldn't touch domestic work with a six foot barge pole....suffice to say I know enough to be dangerous... From the Building Commission.... http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/re ... FINAL2.pdf The Building Regulations 2006 outline the various categories and classes of building practitioners. Suitability for registration is based upon the nature and extent of qualifications and experience. The following categories and classes of building practitioners are currently required to be registered with the BPB: • Building surveyor • Building inspector (Unlimited/Limited) • Quantity surveyor • Engineer (Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Fire Safety) • Draftsperson (Building design – architectural, interior, services) • Builder (Commercial builder – unlimited/limited) • Builder (Domestic builder – unlimited/limited/manager) • Builder (Demolisher – low rise buildings/medium rise buildings/unlimited) • Erector or supervisor (temporary structures – Class 1 and 2). Engineers are also supposed to follow a Code of Ethics from the Institute of Engineers, Australia...I'm sure Dakis similarly has one from the Institute of Architects. Certainly the behavior described by orange is unethical when tested against this code. mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Structural Engineer causes problems. What can I do? 11Nov 04, 2008 7:35 pm Anyway, I did as suggested and yes he is registered on the national engineers registration board until June 2009, but I don't know about the quality of his work. I'll show the engineer plans to the bricklayer before I start anything and see what he has to say, but if the subcontractors say that the engineer plans are faulty, I would definitely go to his place to demand my money back. And I would'nt leave until he gave me a full refund. But this is only if his work is faulty. Rather than making things easier for me (one complete plan, one payment) he has made them more difficult by splitting it up in two parts.
I know why he started the job without my permission. So I would not be able to get quotes from other engineers, and possibly me going to them instead. I had a talk with another structural/hydraulics engineer. I asked him to finish off the unfinished engineers job, but he said it wasn't a good idea. He said it was better for the original engineer who started the job to finish it off, and getting two was not a good idea. I was wondering why. Does it have something to do with the inspections? Garn says: self::bbcode_second_pass_code_cb I think you are right, so yes I am worried about that. just ask a carpenter/ builder, if they are unsure they will get the engineer to advise. 1 3096 3 7190 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 10220 |