Builders, designers and certifiers
Structural engineering for builders, designers and certifiers in Canberra
Footing, slab, beam, retaining wall and outdoor structure engineering, documented for what an ACT certifier lodges. Published prices ex GST, and a fixed quote from your plans.
- Published prices ex GST, with the inc GST figure beside
- Fixed quote in under 20 minutes on average, during business hours
- AF2025-18 footing, slab and framing details for the certifier's lodgement
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.
- Published prices, ex GSTFooting and slab design from $1,290 + GST ($1,419 inc GST).
- 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
We provide structural engineering for builders, designers and certifiers in Canberra, documented for ACT building approval. Our footing and slab details state the founding depth and founding material that form AF2025-18 asks for, and our drawings suit the footing and frame inspections. Prices are published ex GST: footing and slab design from $1,290 + GST ($1,419 inc GST). Bigger projects get a fixed quote from your plans.
- Lodgement
- Footing, slab, retaining, masonry and framing details to AF2025-18
- NCC
- NCC 2022 or NCC 2025 until 30 April 2027; one edition per project
- Prices
- Published ex GST, from $450 + GST
- Quote
- Fixed, in under 20 minutes on average, during business hours
- Soil test
- Arranged for footing design and passed on at cost
- We don't
- BAL assessments, certification or building work
What engineering does a certifier lodge for a class 1 or 10 building approval?
Form AF2025-18 lists the minimum documents. It was approved on 15 September 2025 and replaced AF2016-78, and an incomplete lodgement fails the completeness check.
| Element | What AF2025-18 lists | What our drawings give you |
|---|---|---|
| Footings and slab | Dimensioned plans, the nominated founding depth and description of founding material, reinforcement and cover, slab preparation, concrete strength | Footing and slab design for the site's classification, with founding depth and founding material stated |
| Retaining walls | Drainage, founding levels, backfill | Wall design with drainage, founding levels and backfill, and the height of the earth cut |
| Masonry | Masonry details | Lintel and bearing details where our beams sit on masonry |
| Framing | Framing and bracing, tie-downs and fixings | Beams, posts, bracing, tie-downs and fixings for the members we design |
Form AF2025-18, minimum documentation for class 1 and 10 building approvals, ACT Legislation Register, checked 6 November 2026.
The form says that if the footing and slab details are on the plans from the engineer, the certifier must note "Engineering Plans" on the checklist. Our footing and slab details sit on our engineering drawings, so the certifier can record them that way. The form itself is on the ACT Legislation Register.
For class 2 to 9 buildings, certifiers work from the 2019 minimum documentation guide instead; that work is on our commercial structural engineering page.
Retaining wall height means the earth cut
Access Canberra Construction Note 005/2021 treats a retaining wall's height as the actual earth cut being retained, and asks engineer plans to show that height clearly. Ours do. The approval limits are in our guide to retaining wall rules in the ACT.
Which stage inspections do the details need to suit?
The footing inspection before the pour and, for class 1 and 10 buildings, the frame inspection before lining. The details on site need to answer the certifier's questions at each.
Footings
After excavation, with formwork and steel in place, before the concrete is poured. Our drawings state the founding depth and material for this stage.
Concrete members
Formwork and steel for any reinforced concrete member, before the pour.
Structural frame
For class 1 and 10 buildings, before the internal lining goes on. Beam, post, bracing and tie-down details need to be on site.
Completion
The final inspection once the work is finished.
Prescribed inspection stages, Building (General) Regulation 2008 section 33.
Which NCC edition and ACT Appendix apply in 2026?
Until 30 April 2027, the project nominates NCC 2022 or NCC 2025, each with its own ACT Appendix, and can't mix them. NCC 2025 becomes mandatory on 1 May 2027.
| Building approval lodged | Edition |
|---|---|
| 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027 | NCC 2022 with the ACT 2022 Appendix, or NCC 2025 with the ACT 2025 Appendix. One, not a mix. |
| From 1 May 2027 | NCC 2025 |
| Project with a DA or works approval application lodged before 1 November 2026 | Either edition, until the DA expires |
The current ACT Appendix is DI2026-56, in force since 1 May 2026. The 2023 Appendix, DI2023-304, is repealed, although the ACT's NCC page still lists it. Variations that matter on houses include Part G10 on building over drains and Part H6 on energy efficiency for alterations and additions.
Tell us the edition when you send plans, and we design to it. For how the approval steps fit together, see our guide to building approval in the ACT.
Bushfire attack level (BAL)
We don't do BAL assessments. The BAL comes from a bushfire consultant's site assessment, a condition on the DA, or the district development controls for DA-exempt homes. We design to the BAL you give us.
What do builders and designers pay?
The published prices, ex GST with the inc GST figure beside. Bigger or unusual jobs get a fixed quote from your plans.
| Service | What you get | From, ex GST | Inc GST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Footings, slabs & site classification | Site classification and footing or slab design with founding depth and material. Soil test arranged at cost. | $1,290 + GST | $1,419 |
| Wall removal & beam design | Beam, post, connection and footing design for the new point loads. | $890 + GST | $979 |
| Retaining walls | Wall design with drainage, founding levels, backfill and the earth-cut height shown. | $890 + GST | $979 |
| Carports, pergolas & decks | Footings, beams, posts, tie-downs and fixings, and the connection to the house. | $590 + GST | $649 |
| Building near sewer & stormwater mains | Footing design near the main, or a stormwater plan. | $790 + GST | $869 |
| Engineer's letters & certificates | A letter about one specific structure or element, when your certifier asks for one. | $450 + GST | $495 |
| Fixed quote from your plans | |||
| Extensions & second storeys | Footings, frames, beams and checks of the existing structure | Fixed quote, ex GST | |
| Knock-down rebuilds | Site classification after demolition, then footing, slab and frame design | Fixed quote, ex GST | |
| Townhouses & multi-unit | Footings, shared walls, retaining and frames for the whole project | Fixed quote, ex GST | |
From prices for a typical house. For design jobs, your fixed quote says if a site visit is needed. The same prices apply in every Canberra district and in Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra and Googong (see areas we cover). Every price is on our prices page.
What happens next?
Three steps, and you know the price before anything is booked.
Send plans
Use the form above or email info@canberrastructuralengineers.com.au. Plans or a sketch, the suburb and the NCC edition. Add up to 5 files.
Get a fixed quote
We reply with a fixed quote in under 20 minutes on average, during business hours, ex GST with the inc GST figure beside.
Design and drawings
We design and send drawings and calculations ready for the certifier's lodgement.
We're not a certifier, a building designer or a drafting service, and we don't build or recommend trades. We do the structural engineering, so the design isn't tied to anyone's contract.
Get a fixed quoteUsed most by builders and designers
Every service is quoted at a fixed price before we start. Send photos or plans and we reply in under 20 minutes on average, during business hours.
Footings, slabs & site classification
Site classification and footing or slab design for new homes, rebuilds, granny flats and extensions, with the soil test at cost.
$1,290 + GST($1,419 inc GST) See the service
Retaining walls
Walls for sloping blocks and cut-and-fill sites, with drawings that show the earth cut your certifier checks.
$890 + GST($979 inc GST) See the service
When does a retaining wall need approval in the ACT?
Two separate tests apply: building approval from 1.2 m, and a planning limit as low as 0.4 m near boundaries. How height is measured, fences on walls, and who pays between neighbours.
Read the guideQuestions from builders, designers and certifiers
Something else on your mind? Call 02 6189 9876, email info@canberrastructuralengineers.com.au or send photos for a fixed quote.
Can a builder or designer engage you directly?
Yes. Builders, designers and owners all send us projects. Tell us who the quote is for and who the drawings go to.
What does form AF2025-18 need from the engineer?
Footing and slab details with the nominated founding depth and description of founding material, reinforcement and cover, slab preparation and concrete strength, plus retaining wall, masonry, framing, bracing, tie-down and fixing details where they apply.
Which NCC edition do you design to?
The one your project nominates. For building approvals from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027 that's NCC 2022 or NCC 2025, each with its ACT Appendix. From 1 May 2027 it's NCC 2025, except projects with a DA or works approval application lodged before 1 November 2026.
Do you do BAL assessments?
No. A bushfire consultant assesses the BAL, or a DA condition or the district development controls set it. We design to the BAL you give us.
Do builders get trade pricing?
Builders and designers pay the published prices, shown ex GST with the inc GST figure beside. Footing and slab design starts from $1,290 + GST ($1,419 inc GST).
Do you arrange the soil test for a site classification?
Yes. When the footing design needs a soil test, we arrange it and pass on its cost at cost.