Structural assessments and forensic engineering

Concerns we're asked to look at

• Cracking in brickwork, plaster, slabs or paving
• Foundation movement and settlement
• Sloping floors and sticking doors or windows
• Leaning, bulging or cracked retaining walls
• Sagging beams, lintels or roof framing
• Concerns after alterations, such as a removed wall
• Suspected defects in new construction
• Damage after an event, such as a leak or excavation next door

How we investigate

Good forensic engineering is methodical. We start with the history: when the problem was first noticed, whether it's changing, and what has happened to the building and the site. Then we inspect, record crack patterns and widths, take relative floor levels where movement is suspected, and review any drawings, soil reports and permits.

From the evidence, we identify the likely causes. In Melbourne these often involve reactive clay responding to changes in moisture from leaking pipes, poor drainage or trees. Where an investigation needs more than an engineer's inspection, such as a geotechnical investigation, a plumber's leak test or materials testing, we'll recommend it and can coordinate it. Those specialists do that work; we don't.

Insurance, disputes and expert evidence

Our reports are written to be clear, factual and independent, so they're useful to owners, builders and insurers alike. We can't promise that an insurer will accept a claim or that a dispute will resolve a particular way; those decisions sit with others.

Acting as an expert witness in legal proceedings carries specific duties to the court. If that's what you need, we'll discuss it with you and your lawyer before agreeing to a separate engagement.

This service covers structural engineering. It doesn't include fire or explosion investigation, plumbing CCTV inspections, pest inspections or general building condition reports.

What an assessment includes

• Background information and history of the problem
• Visual inspection of the affected structure and surroundings
• Crack mapping and measurement
• Relative floor level survey, where movement is suspected
• Review of drawings, soil reports and permit documents
• Assessment of the likely causes and the urgency
• Recommendations for repair, monitoring or further investigation
• Remedial design, if you engage us for it

What you receive

• Assessment reportObservations, photos, measurements, likely causes, urgency and recommendations.
• Monitoring planWhere movement may be ongoing, what to measure and for how long.
• Remedial designWhere engaged, drawings and specifications for the repair.
• Repair inspectionWhere engaged, an inspection of the repair work.

Scope, fee and programme are confirmed in a written proposal for your project before any engineering starts.

How it works

1. Tell us about the concernSend photos and a short history. We'll confirm whether an engineer is the right first step.
2. ProposalWe agree the scope of the assessment and what the report will cover.
3. Inspection and investigationWe inspect, measure and review the documents.
4. Report and next stepsYou receive the report. If you need a repair designed, that follows as a separate stage.

Who does what

Where a project needs another specialist, we can recommend one and coordinate with them. We make it clear who is responsible for each part.

Questions