Prices
Structural engineer cost in Canberra: our prices
Every published price is below, ex GST with the inc GST figure beside. Prices start from $390 + GST ($429 inc GST), and your quote is fixed before we start.
How much does a structural engineer cost in Canberra?
From $390 + GST ($429 inc GST) for a desktop review with no visit, up to $1,290 + GST ($1,419 inc GST) for a building defect report. These are from prices for a typical house.
| Service | What you get | From, ex GST | Inc GST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reviews, site visits and letters | |||
| Desktop review or second opinion on a repair quote | We review the photos, plans, reports or quote you send and give written advice. No site visit. | $390 + GST | $429 |
| Engineer's letter or certificate | A letter about one specific structure or element, such as an existing deck or the roof framing under new solar panels. | $450 + GST | $495 |
| Site visit with a letter of advice | An engineer visits, looks at the specific issue and gives a written letter of advice. | $650 + GST | $715 |
| Inspections and reports | |||
| Unapproved structure assessment | An assessment of a deck, pergola, carport, garage conversion or extension built without approval. | $690 + GST | $759 |
| Dilapidation report | A dated, photographed record of a building's condition before nearby works. | $750 + GST | $825 |
| Pre-purchase structural inspection | An engineer inspects the home you're buying and gives a written report: findings, likely cause and what to do next. | $790 + GST | $869 |
| Structural inspection and report | An engineer visits, inspects and gives a written report with findings, the likely cause and what to do next. | $1,090 + GST | $1,199 |
| Cracks and footing movement report | A full inspection report on cracks and movement: the cause found and what to do next. | $1,090 + GST | $1,199 |
| Building defect report | Structural defects found, documented and explained in a written report. | $1,290 + GST | $1,419 |
| Design | |||
| Carport, pergola or deck engineering | Calculations and drawings or specifications your certifier and builder can use. | $590 + GST | $649 |
| Building near a sewer or stormwater main | Footing design near the main, or a stormwater plan, documented for your certifier and builder. | $790 + GST | $869 |
| Wall removal and beam design | Beam, post and footing design with drawings your certifier and builder can use. | $890 + GST | $979 |
| Retaining wall engineering | Wall design with calculations and drawings for your certifier and builder. | $890 + GST | $979 |
| Pool engineering | Shell design and checks for pools on slopes, near the house or near a main. | $990 + GST | $1,089 |
| Footings, slabs and site classification | Site classification and footing or slab design. The soil test is arranged and passed on at cost. | $1,290 + GST | $1,419 |
From prices for a typical house. Your fixed quote confirms the price before we start. For design jobs, your fixed quote says if a site visit is needed.
Which work is priced by fixed quote?
Extensions, knock-down rebuilds, granny flats and dual occupancies, older and heritage homes, and all commercial and multi-unit work. No two of these jobs need the same engineering, so we price yours from your plans or photos.
| Work | What sets the quote | Priced parts you can check |
|---|---|---|
| Extensions and renovations | Size, number of storeys, the existing structure, and how many drawings your certifier needs | Wall removal and beams from $890 + GST ($979 inc GST) |
| Knock-down rebuilds | House size and storeys, slope, soil, and the drawings for building approval | Footings and site classification from $1,290 + GST ($1,419 inc GST) |
| Granny flats and dual occupancies | Size, storeys, slope, soil, and any sewer or stormwater main nearby | Footing design near a main from $790 + GST ($869 inc GST) |
| Older and heritage homes | The existing structure and what the job is: an assessment, an alteration or new design | Structural inspection and report from $1,090 + GST ($1,199 inc GST) |
| Commercial and multi-unit | Floor area and levels, the existing structure, and the documents your certifier needs | Fixed quote per project, ex GST |
What do our prices cover, and what don't they?
They cover the engineering: the inspection, review, report, letter or design in the table. They don't cover the building work, because we don't do it, or fees other people charge.
Included
- The engineering for the service you're quoted
- Your written advice, report, letter or drawings
- A fixed price, confirmed before we start
- Advice on what to do next, with no repair to sell you
Not included
- The repair or the build. We're engineers only and never sell the fix
- Your certifier's fees and any development or building approval fees
- Icon Water's fees and approvals for work near its mains
- The soil test itself, which we pass on at cost
Homeowners usually compare the inc GST figure. Builders and designers usually compare ex GST. That's why every price shows both.
Site visits cost the same across every Canberra district, plus Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra and Googong. Desktop reviews of photos and plans work anywhere in the region. Further out, ask us for a fixed quote.
Want the list by problem instead of by price? See all our structural engineering services.
How do I get a fixed quote?
Send a few photos or your plans and a line about the job. We reply with a fixed quote in under 20 minutes on average, during business hours.
- Photos of the problem, close up and from further back
- Plans or drawings, if the job is new work or an alteration
- Any report or quote you already have, such as the seller's report or a repair quote
- The suburb and one sentence about what you need
- Up to 5 files through the quote form
Send photos or plans
Use the quote form or email info@canberrastructuralengineers.com.au.
Get a fixed quote
In under 20 minutes on average, during business hours. The price is set before anything is booked.
Inspection, design or report
We inspect, review or design, then send your report, drawings or letter. How it works covers each step.
Structural engineer cost: questions
Something else on your mind? Call 02 6189 9876, email info@canberrastructuralengineers.com.au or send photos for a fixed quote.
How much does it cost to have a structural engineer inspect a house in Canberra?
$790 + GST ($869 inc GST) for a pre-purchase structural inspection, and $1,090 + GST ($1,199 inc GST) for a structural inspection and full report. If one issue needs looking at, a site visit with a letter of advice is $650 + GST ($715 inc GST).
Do you charge by the hour?
No. We price by the job. You get a fixed quote before we start, so you know the cost before anything is booked.
Do prices change for Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra or Googong?
No. The same prices apply there as in every Canberra district. NSW rules apply to approvals on that side of the border.
Does the footing design price include the soil test?
No. Footings, slabs and site classification start from $1,290 + GST ($1,419 inc GST). When the design needs a soil test, we arrange it and pass on its cost at cost.