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How much does hiring a Structural Engineer cost on average?

Average Price
$300 - $15,000 (per project)

How much will I pay for a Structural Engineer?

Wondering how much a structural engineer will set you back? Read our handy guide to find out how much you’ll pay for a structural engineer in Australia.

What are the responsibilities of a Structural Engineer?

A structural engineer is responsible for the designing, planning, and construction of new infrastructural establishments such as buildings and bridges. They are also sometimes involved in alteration and extension work on existing structures and properties. 

A structural engineer is responsible for the infrastructural growth of a town, city, or country, so it’s a complex and highly skilled profession!

They can also provide consultancy services to architects and contractors by calculating different types of loads and suggesting which materials and structural systems can be used in the construction process for a particular project.

Why do you need a Structural Engineer?

If you’re planning on making home renovations or are looking to build a property from scratch, there is a strong chance that you will need the services of a structural engineer. During the process of home improvement, if you are working with a structure that involves potentially changing its stability, a structural engineer must be consulted.

A structural engineer will make calculations to help define parameters that the architect and the contractor will have to adhere to. These calculations and analyses might also have to be shared with your building’s administration for you to get the clearance to go ahead with renovations. Here’s a quick look at a few examples of household projects that you will need to employ a structural engineer for: 

  • Removal or renovation of any internal walls

  • Changing doors and windows

  • Building an extension for the house

  • Underpinning floors

  • Fitting solar panels

If you see any sort of cracked walls within your house, you should contact a structural engineer and schedule a structural inspection of the premises as soon as possible. The structural engineer would be able to investigate appropriately and alert you regarding the seriousness of the situation. They would also identify potential causes for this sort of damage, how to fix it, and guide you on what not to do to avoid such damage in the future.  

How much do Structural Engineers charge in Australia?

Structural engineers can charge you either per project, per hour, or per percentage of construction. The amounts they charge are different in every region of Australia due to a variety of factors. Here’s a quick and very basic look at how much you can expect to  spend on hiring a structural engineer:

Average cost of a Structural Engineer
Rate type Average cost
Per project$300 - $15,000
Per hour$100 - $250
Percentage of construction5% - 12%

What affects the price of hiring a Structural Engineer in Australia?

The price of hiring a structural engineer can differ on a case by case basis. You will often find structural engineer hiring costs fluctuating based on several different factors. These factors include but are not limited to: 

  • Project complexity 

  • Size of the project

  • Size of current property 

  • Nature of job 

  • Professional’s experience 

Project complexity 

The technical requirements of the job can significantly change the price in either direction. Structural engineer hiring costs can vary based on the level of complexity involved in finishing a job. For an average household project, you can expect the costs to vary between $300 and $15,000.

Size of the project

Naturally, more extensive projects such as house extensions will tend to run much higher than simple renovation jobs such as window removals and replacements. Depending on how much time the structural engineer will need to dedicate to a specific job, the hiring costs will vary accordingly. 

Size of current property

The cost of a structural engineer will also vary depending on the size of the property. Simple routine jobs such as inspecting a small flat for its structural integrity will cost significantly less than doing the same job for a larger house.

Nature of the job

Depending on how much you are asking for a structural engineer to provide in terms of their services, each project will vary in cost. As structural engineers cover a vast variety of different jobs, they have set costs for different types of projects. For example, the inspection of a structure will likely be cheaper than the planning and execution of a large renovation plan.

Level of experience of the Structural Engineer

The more experience a structural engineer has behind his/her back, the more likely it will be that they will charge you higher rates than what most others would for the same job. This is because experienced structural engineers are much more likely to complete a job error-free, in a relatively limited amount of time, compared with a relatively inexperienced structural engineer.

If the property in question has expensive fixtures and fittings, you should go for a more experienced structural engineer than opting for a slightly cheaper alternative. 

Is hiring a Structural Engineer worth the cost? 

When it comes to building a property or designing a renovation, structural engineers are essential. They can make the difference between a poorly constructed property that will require plenty of long-term maintenance and a building that will last for years to come - a worthwhile investment in anyone’s books! 

Find the perfect Structural Engineer for your building project on Bark. 

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