Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Oct 21, 2013 10:04 pm Hi All, I am in the process of contracting a structural engineer for two houses next to each other. I have architectural and hydraulic plans and the D.A. will be assessed by Council in November. I would love advice on the questions I should be asking the prospective structural engineer. I am also interested to know what kind tips you have for working with engineers? What are inclusions I can push for in the engineered plans? What structural aspect of your home were you SO glad that you incorporated? What else do you know that is worth knowing? Thanks in advance. I have included some extracts from the engineers fee letter; Thank you for the invitation to provide quotation for our services as consulting structural engineers for the above. We have reviewed the Architectural drawings and propose that we provide the service set out below, based on the presumed requirements by Council and/or Accredited Certifier and your Builder. a/. Initial Site Visit • Visit to the site in company of the Architect or Client or Project Manager for visual assessment of the existing conditions in view of the proposed development, consultation on site on the structural feasibility of the proposed works. Our proposed fee for the above service is $350.00 + GST b/. Consultation and Concept Design before Documentation • Attending on further meeting(s) during design stage if and when required. • Liaising on structural requirements, assisting to decide on alternative solutions, providing preliminary sketch design if required. We provide the above service on hourly rates if and as required. To our understanding for this project the above stage most probably will not be required, or will be limited. c/. Structural Design and Documentation for C.C Submission & Construction • Structural design and documentation of the foundation of new walls/piers and any required underpinning if applicable, based on the assumption that the foundation material will be approved for the nominated perimeters during construction by a structural or a geotechnical engineer. (Geotechnical engineer’s approval is required only if questionable quality foundation material is found, or stability of permanent or temporary ground formations are in question.) • Structural design and documentation of the reinforced concrete slabs for the basement rumpus rooms and ground floors including garages for both dwellings. • Structural design and documentation of retaining walls around the basements and concrete stairs. • Structural design and documentation of the timber/steel floor framing diagram for the proposed upper floors and roof framing diagram for both buildings, including steel connection details. (Timber connections and details shall be done in accordance with the timber framing code or as shown on the architect's drawings). • Structural design and documentation of pavement thickness, ground preparation criteria and jointing requirements for the driveway apron. Levels and dimensional set-out and drainage being shown on the Architect's drawings and/or Hydraulic Consultant's drawings. (Cross over, if required, to be built to Council’s details and supervised by the Council’s engineer). Our design will be based on the dimensional information provided on the architectural drawings. Waterproofing and stormwater drainage details, stormwater management and silt control during construction if required, shall be included in the Architect's and/or Hydraulic Consultant’s documentation. For water retention, if required, design and documentation shall be provided by the Hydraulic consultant. Our proposed fee for the design and documentation as described above is $6900.00 + GST d/. Site Inspections and Office Work During Construction • We would visit the site during construction, when notified, in accordance with accepted engineering practice for similar projects and as requested by local Councils and Accredited Certifiers. We inspect reinforcement before concrete pour, steel and timber framing against the structural documentation. We instruct the builder if necessary at the time of our inspection. We would provide such service for $300 + GST per visit, including time on site, travelling time and expenses, site instructions to builder. Office work during construction, related to unexpected site conditions, builder's problems, checking of shop-drawings, certificate if required by Council or the Accredited Certifier on the inspected work, Architect's or Client's additional requests etc. would be charged for on an hourly rate bases detailed below. Please note that only inspected work can be certified to be built in accordance with the structural documentation. Hourly Rates: Principal Engineer's work: $200/hour + GST Detail Engineer's work: $150/hour + GST Draughtsman's work: $100/hour + GST The above offer for lump sum fees and hourly rates will stay in force for 6 month from the date of this letter. Hourly rates and inspection rates are subject of review and change at 1st July each year. Our appointment would be in accordance with the Association of Consulting Engineers, Australia Guideline Terms of Engagement (Revised February 1991). Short version of the document is available on request from our office; full document can be viewed at or purchased from the ACEA office. Printing: disbursement cost of commercial rates would apply for all prints and scans. Should additional work be required, not specified above or should later changes result in redesign or reworking of material already designed and drawn, we reserve the right to re-assess our fee. Additional work would be invoiced for on the hourly rates above. Work would commence after the client accepts our proposal by signing and returning a copy. (E-mail confirmation is also accepted.) We trust that this proposal meets with your approval and look forward to working with you. Should you require more information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Re: Contracting a Structural Engineer for New Builds 2Aug 03, 2014 3:36 pm I generally get asked what is the best solution (design Optimization) for basements...that is before we go to DA IMO Engineers earn their fees and take a lot of risk for what they do. Fee % of Contract Engineers 1-2%, Designers/Archtect 3-10%, Builders 10-20% HTH Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Hi, We are looking for a builder that can build a small home (smaller length) on a sloping site. We came across Mojo's Zephyr design 10.6 m wide and 11.5 m length. Does… 0 23031 3 6420 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 9700 |