Commercial and multi-unit
Commercial structural engineering in Canberra
Fit-outs, mezzanines, new openings, roof plant, townhouses and condition reports. We engineer small commercial and multi-unit projects and price each one by fixed quote, ex GST, from your drawings.
- Fixed quote per project, from your photos or plans
- Fixed quote in under 20 minutes on average, during business hours
- Documented for your builder and certifier
Prefer to talk? Call 02 6189 9876
Or email info@canberrastructuralengineers.com.au
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm
- Engineering onlyWe never sell the repair or the build.
- Fixed quote per projectPriced from your photos or plans before we start.
- Fixed quote in under 20 minutes on averageDuring business hours, Monday to Friday.
- Canberra and the Queanbeyan sideEvery district, plus Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra and Googong.
In short
Commercial structural engineering from us means small commercial and multi-unit work in Canberra: fit-outs, mezzanines, new openings, roof plant, townhouses, and condition and defect reports. Homes are most of what we do, so this lane stays small. Every project is a fixed quote, ex GST, from your drawings or photos. We design and report; we never build or repair.
- Fee
- Fixed quote per project, ex GST with inc GST beside
- Quote
- Fixed, in under 20 minutes on average, during business hours
- You receive
- Calculations, drawings or a report for your certifier and builder
What commercial work do we take on?
Small projects where the structure changes or needs checking: a new floor level, a new opening, new loads on a roof, a row of townhouses, or a building that needs a structural report.
Fit-outs & mezzanines
Mezzanine floors, new openings, roof plant and fit-out loads for shops, offices and warehouses.
Fixed quotefrom your photos or plans See the service
Townhouses & multi-unit
Structural design for duplexes, townhouses and small multi-unit projects, including Missing Middle housing on RZ1 and RZ2 blocks.
Fixed quotefrom your photos or plans See the service
Commercial inspections & defects
Structural condition, defect and change-of-use reports for commercial buildings and apartments.
Fixed quotefrom your photos or plans See the serviceWe do
- Design for mezzanines, new openings, beams, columns and footings
- Roof framing checks for new plant and solar panels
- Structural design for townhouses and small multi-unit projects
- Condition, defect and change-of-use reports
- Dilapidation reports before nearby works
We don't
- Building work or repairs, or recommending who does them
- Building approval or certification: that's your certifier
- Fire safety or waterproofing certification
- BAL (bushfire attack level) assessments
Building houses rather than shops? Our page for builders, designers and certifiers lists the footing, beam and retaining wall engineering they use most, with published prices.
Which ACT rules shape a commercial project?
Most structural commercial work needs building approval from a licensed certifier, and some also needs development approval. These five rules come up most often.
| Rule | What it says | What it means for your project |
|---|---|---|
| Internal alterations: development approval | DA-exempt only if the building class doesn't change and, for a non-residential building, there's no increase in gross floor area | A mezzanine adds floor area, so it usually also needs development approval; your certifier confirms. See fit-out and mezzanine engineering. |
| Internal alterations: building approval | Exempt only if the class doesn't change and the structure isn't affected | A structural fit-out or a mezzanine needs building approval. |
| NCC edition | Building approvals from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027 can use NCC 2022 or NCC 2025; NCC 2025 is mandatory from 1 May 2027 | NCC 2025 brings commercial energy and fire changes. The project nominates one edition and can't mix them. |
| Class 2 to 9 documents | Certifiers work from the 2019 minimum documentation guide for class 2 to 9 building approvals | We prepare the structural drawings and calculations your certifier lodges. |
| Property developer licence | Needed since 1 October 2026 for projects of 3 or more dwellings; the Registrar can order serious defects fixed up to 10 years after completion | Matters for townhouse and apartment projects. See townhouse and multi-unit engineering. |
From the ACT planning website and the ACT Legislation Register, checked 6 November 2026. Your certifier confirms what applies to your building.
How does a commercial fixed quote work?
You send drawings, a floor plan or photos, and we reply with a fixed price for the engineering, ex GST with the inc GST figure beside.
The quote depends on the floor area and number of levels, what the structure has to carry, the existing building and whether you have its original drawings, and how many drawings and documents your certifier needs. Our home services have published prices; commercial work doesn't, because no two projects are alike.
We're engineers only. We don't build, sell the fit-out or recommend builders, so the design isn't tied to anyone's contract. On the Queanbeyan side, NSW rules apply and we work with QPRC and your certifier.
Send drawings or photos
Use the form above or email info@canberrastructuralengineers.com.au. Add up to 5 files.
Get a fixed quote
In under 20 minutes on average, during business hours. The price is set before anything is booked.
Design or report
We design, inspect or assess, then send drawings, calculations or a report for your certifier and builder.
Also useful on a commercial project
Engineering documents for builders and designers, how building approval works in the ACT, and when a project needs a structural engineer.
For builders, designers & certifiers
Footing, slab, beam, retaining wall and outdoor structure engineering, documented for ACT building approval, with published prices ex GST.
$450 + GST($495 inc GST) See the serviceBuilding approval in the ACT
Development approval comes from the Territory Planning Authority, building approval from a licensed certifier you appoint. What needs which, what's exempt and what happens after approval.
Read the guide
Do I need a structural engineer?
Who does what in the ACT: the structural engineer, the licensed certifier, the Registrar and the building inspector, and which one to call first.
Read the guideCommercial engineering questions
Something else on your mind? Call 02 6189 9876, email info@canberrastructuralengineers.com.au or send photos for a fixed quote.
What size of commercial project do you take on?
Small commercial and multi-unit work. Fit-outs, mezzanines, new openings, roof plant, townhouses and condition or defect reports. Send the drawings and we reply with a fixed quote, or tell you if the project isn't one for us.
Do you approve or certify commercial building work?
No. A licensed certifier gives building approval. We provide the structural design, assessments and letters your certifier asks for.
Which NCC applies to a commercial building approval?
Until 30 April 2027 a project can nominate NCC 2022 or NCC 2025, each with its ACT Appendix, but can't mix them. From 1 May 2027 NCC 2025 is mandatory, except for projects with a DA or works approval application lodged before 1 November 2026.
Do you work on commercial projects in Queanbeyan?
Yes. NSW rules apply in Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra and Googong. We work with QPRC and your certifier.