Consumer Education: Due Diligence Questions Before Engaging An Engineer
Critical Questions Consumers should ask Engineers before engaging them.
In this guide, we want to inform and educate the consumer on 7 critical questions to ask an engineer when dealing with cracks in walls, floors or other areas that may require foundation investigation in a residential property, why, and education on how to address this situation. This is intended to empower consumers with necessary due diligence questions to have all the facts at hand to make an informed decision.
In this article you will find:
Section 1: The need for consumer education on this topic;
Section 2: The critical questions to ask an Engineer before you engage them;
Section 3: Checklist to ask what will be included in the report;
Section 4: Consider the small print in a report or quote;
Section 5: Obtain another opinion - ask us;
Section 6: What Does the Law say;
Section 7: Further information resources and articles.
SECTION 1
The Need For Consumer Education On This Topic:
Unfortunately, there are a lot of cowboys and misinformation in the industry cashing in to get consumer’s hard-earned money, but not providing quality reporting. We have made the decision as a leader in the industry to inform you, the consumer, about these issues.
An engineer wanting to undertake professional engineering services in Queensland is legally required to register as an RPEQ. Not all the people who call themselves an engineer, a forensic engineer, an underpinning engineer or a foundation expert and offering site inspections are registered. The below critical questions will help you to determine who you are working with.
It is always a good idea to take a moment to check out anyone offering advice or working on your property that they are registered to do so. For foundation investigations, we recommend you only use RPEQ (Registered Professional Engineers Queensland) Structural Engineer as this distinguishes between professional engineers and ‘pretend-gineers”
SECTION 2
Here are the 7 Critical Questions Consumers need to ask an Engineer before you engage them:-
1. Are you an RPEQ registered engineer?
Tip: Engineering services are governed by law, The PE Act, to ensure engineering services are provided by a registered professional engineer (RPEQ) to maintain public confidence in the standard of services provided. Read more below in section 6.
2. What is your registration number?
Tip: It should be a five digit number you can check at:
https://portal.bpeq.qld.gov.au/BPEQPortal/RPEQ_Directory
3. Will I get an RPEQ Engineer doing the actual site inspection, or do you send someone else, like a non-RPEQ engineer, manager, sales person, technician or consultant?
Tip: Ensure the person responsible for the report or job visits the site themselves and sees the problem firsthand. After all, you're paying for the expertise of an RPEQ Engineer, not just a ‘pretend-gineer’, technician or salesperson.
4. If the person visiting is not a RPEQ Engineer, do you have an RPEQ Engineer sign off on your report which is different to person doing the inspecting/site visit?
Tip: If a RPEQ Engineer is signing off on a report, and is relying on someone else to handle the site inspection, you may risk paying for a report that lacks the firsthand insight and expertise of the RPEQ Engineer.
5. Is your report for ‘my own use’ or can I share it with other engineers and/or contractors for review or rectification works?
Tip: Proceed very carefully if any report is marked as "for your own use" and not intended for reliance or distribution, as they may lack the necessary validity and accountability required in your situation.
6. Do you take floor slab levels?
Tip: Floor Slab levels are a critical element to assessing home foundation performance, the extent of any damage and also the remedy required. An Engineer uses Table 4.1 of the Australian Standards 2870-2011 to determine whether a residential property has or has not exceeded the expected performance of the slab, and the best course for action required.
7. If floor slab levels are taken, will the report include floor slab levels with contours and curvatures of the slab and report on differential of the slab, or will it be either (i) an extract only or for my ‘own use’, or (ii) an overlay onto a floor plan without the full details; or (iii) will I have to pay additional fees for the full levels report?
Tip: Find out this information upfront as it gives you an indication of your real costs or the level of expertise being delivered. Be aware that full details of floor slab levels, contours, and curvatures in relation to the property are essential to identify differentiation in the slab. Differentiation refers to the uneven movement or settlement of different parts of the slab, eg sink (subsidence) or raise (heave), which occurs when the soil beneath shifts or settles unevenly, causing parts of the slab to sink or rise at different rates. Failure to address this can lead to significant structural issues.
A RPEQ structural engineer is cognisant of the Building codes and tables required to extensively and properly assess signs of differentiation taking into consideration the construction of the residence and and also assess contributing factors such as soil conditions, trees, drainage, landscaping, effects of weather patterns, slope failure and more.
SECTION 3
Ensure Your Report Contains These Items:-
When you use a RPEQ Engineer, your report will typically include the below. Ask the Engineer what their report will include, and check against this list:
1. Introduction and scope;
2. Detailed inspection findings – exterior and interior and underneath if applicable;
3. Differentiation details: Full details of slab levels, contours and curvatures in relation to the property that show the differentiation in the slab. “Differentiation" refers to the uneven movement or settlement of different parts of the slab, leading to differential settlement. This occurs when the soil beneath the slab shifts or settles unevenly, causing parts of the slab to sink or rise at different rates.
4. Findings of damage categories as per AS2870 Appendix C of the Standards;
5. Causes of damages;
6. Notes of concern – whether it is an ongoing problem or not;
7. Recommendations;
8. Who to trust if a next step is required and where to get a locked price quote to secure your home with reliable industry leading guarantees if needed;
Tip: We recognise that some engineers have their own referral partners, that may be a close knit circle of friends, long standing associates or those that give them referral fees, rather than based on merit or what is best for you. This practice can limit your options and may not always result in the best outcome for your needs. It is important to seek out a range of quotes and opinions, like from Foundation Solutions, to ensure you are getting the most appropriate and fair service. Above all, the client's needs should be the top priority.
9. A statement that the report can be relied upon by other engineers, external contractors and for underpinning design where required.
SECTION 4
Consider the small print in a report or quote:
A qualified RPEQ Engineer adheres to a strict code of ethics and performance guidelines, ensuring their reports are reliable, comprehensive, and can be used by others, such as for designing rectification works.
It is important to be aware of the limited scope of reports, quotes, services, and guarantees or warranties. Consumers are encouraged to carefully review the small print to ensure that the information provided is reliable, comprehensive, and compliant with building codes. Be mindful that some providers will ask for additional costs for the consumer to obtain full disclosure reports.
SECTION 5
Obtain Another Opinion - Ask Us
There are a lot of questions to ask - we know. It can be a difficult and distressing process to navigate and understand. Especially when it involves one of most people’s biggest investment in life. Further, the small print and exclusions that can make the consumer liable or have shortfalls that do not protect them can be hard to detect.
Of course, we believe the best solution is to come to Foundation Solutions first. We are committed to providing solid education based on what the law states, what is needed to provide a correct and reliable solution and to back up our works with industry leading guarantees that do protect the consumer. The questions above aim to give the consumer enough information to assess whether they can rely on the proposed solution.
We encourage consumer to consider Foundation Solutions for your project, particularly if the suggested approach involves using resin or concrete bored pier providers. We believe we have a superior product and solution and have a comprehensive understanding of where these other methods might fall short in delivering the desired results or guarantees.
If a consumer would like us to review the information they have received, we offer this as a complimentary service. We will highlight any areas of concern based on our experience and perspective. This offer is available to consumers who have not yet engaged another party for repair or rectification work and includes:
FREE REVIEW SERVICE:
Engineer Reports and Quotes
Resin Repair Reports and Quotes
Concrete Bored Pier Reports and Quotes
Underpinning Quotes
Please note that this is a complimentary service and does not constitute a contract between Foundation Solutions and the user.
SECTION 6
WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?
In essence, the stability and reliability of your footings and slab (foundation) of your house is determined by:-
1. Soil classification;
2. The design of the foundation (depth and initial design) to suit those conditions; and
3. What has changed since the original design, and what is needed now.
These factors are all governed by legislation to protect consumers, including:-
A. Australian Standards:
The reactivity of the soils beneath a property will play a part in how our homes behave over the life of the structure. This in turn plays an important role in the extent of the damage and the method of underpinning best suited to support, arrest the damage and lift or stabilise a residential home building. Soils are identified by Site Classification in accordance with ‘Australian Standards AS 2870/2011, Residential Slabs & Footings’. These standards show when it is time to take action.
At Foundation Solutions: We only do works that are required, as not all cracks need remedy.
B. National Construction Code (NCC):
When foundations and slabs are designed for a residential building, the soil (or site) classification is determined and categorised. However, sites can suffer damage. This can be caused by the original design and detailing in the Standards were not complied with, misinterpreted or ignored, or site maintenance issues (aggressive soil types, drainage, trees, slope failure etc). When foundation or slab issues are presenting themselves (cracks in floors or walls, settlement, heave or subsidence), it is necessary to reassess the site classification so that the remedy fits the current conditions. A suitably qualified Engineer is required to make this assessment, and the National Construction Code sets out standards and requirements for the assessment of soil classifications and corresponding depth and design of footing, slab and load requirements for the current conditions.
Further, the National Construction Code (NCC) specify that foundations and slabs for residential properties, being structural elements of a building, require that the assessment, design and certification of the design, specific to each site and structure, is carried out by a RPEQ Structural Engineer to assess, design and certify specific to each site / structure. Consequently, if remedial works involve the foundation and slab, this also falls under the code.
At Foundation Solutions: This is where we navigate this for you!
C. The PE Act (Professional Engineers Act):
Engineering services are governed by law, The PE Act. The main objectives of the Act are “to protect the public by ensuring professional engineering services are provided by a registered professional engineer in a professional and competent way, to maintain public confidence in the standard of services provided by a registered professional engineers; and to uphold the standards of practice of a registered professional engineer.
The PE Act in Queensland states that a ‘Professional Engineering Service’ is defined as: “An engineering service that requires or is based on the application of engineering principles and data to a design or to a construction, production, operation, or maintenance activity relating to engineering” (see page 113 of the PE Act).
If you are engaging an engineer, ensure they are registered with the Board of Professional Engineers (if registered, they will be a RPEQ Engineer), who assess candidates as to their qualification and competency and issue a letter of assessment and fitness to practice. You can search to see if the person you are working with is a professional engineer at:
https://portal.bpeq.qld.gov.au/BPEQPortal/RPEQ_Directory
At Foundation Solutions: We only use RPEQ registered Engineers that specialise in foundation movement and assessments for your protection! These reports are tailored for you and your home, are transparent and comprehensive, and designed to be able to be relied on to keep you and your property secure and safe.
SECTION 7
FURTHER INFORMATION RESOURSES AND ARTICLES:
To be fully informed on the subject of foundation issues and the facts you need to gather to make an informed choice of provider and resolution, you may wish to also read:-
FURTHER INFORMATION, RESOURSES AND ARTICLES:
To be fully informed on the subject of foundation issues and the facts you need to gather to make an informed choice of provider and resolution, you may wish to also read:-
3. Foundation /solutions Screw Pile Method -v- Concrete bord piers
4. Buyer Beware: New property Law in Qld – Seller Disclosures
5. Top 8 Reasons to use Screw Pile Underpinning
Disclaimer: The content on this blog/document is intended only to provide a general summary of information of interest - namely to get consumers thinking about what questions they ought to consider asking prior to engaging an entity to provide foundation advice/services.
It is not intended by the writer to be comprehensive nor does it constitute any sort of advice (building/legal or otherwise).
While Foundation Solutions endeavours to ensure that the content of this blog/document is and remains current, we do not guarantee its accuracy.
This is particularly the case whereby the building industry by its very nature is prone to changes in procedure and standards.
Further, this information is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances.
No two structural foundation matters are the same and each matter needs to be reviewed before a proposal and your avenues available can be given to you for consideration.
You should seek professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content of this blog/document or engaging an entity for foundation services.
To be clear, your use of any information contained in this blog/document is not intended to create nor does it create a customer-client or fiduciary relation between Foundation Solutions and yourself.