Many first-time developers focus on design and council approval first then scramble for engineering documents right before construction. By then, design constraints, compliance gaps or structural issues can cause delays or require costly rework.

Every project needs something different soil testing, slab design, structural certification, flood assessment, etc. Not understanding what applies to your site leads to guesswork, rejections, or scope creep.

Councils don’t just want a pretty design. They want evidence your project meets code. Without accurate engineering documentation, your DA or BA can stall even if everything else looks good.

Templates might seem fast and cheap, but they rarely meet the specific requirements of your block, zoning, or local conditions. Engineering always needs to match the actual site.

You don’t always need every type of report but you do need the right ones. A good engineer will tell you what’s actually required and explain why.

Some builders can coordinate engineers but they may not always choose the best fit for your project. If you’re the developer, the responsibility (and liability) often still sits with you.

A Form 15 isn’t the end of it. You may also need site visits or inspections during construction to issue a Form 16. Plan ahead to avoid unnecessary hold-ups.

• Wind rating

• Soil classification

• Flood overlays or bushfire mapping

• Existing structural conditions (if renovating or adding to a structure)

• Slab and footing design

• Retaining walls

• Framing, steelwork, or custom structural elements

• Civil works (stormwater, driveways, earthworks)

• Form 15 (design certification)

• Energy assessment (if applicable)

• QLeave/insurance paperwork

• Engineering documentation for DA or BA lodgement

• Soil test

• Structural inspection (if applicable)

• Flood or wind reports (site-dependent)

• As-constructed drawings (for later handover)

• Access for inspections

• Engineer availability for RFIs

• Communication with certifier or council on submission deadlines

It’s a certificate that confirms your engineering design meets relevant codes and standards. You’ll usually need one before construction starts or for approval.

It certifies that the work has been completed in accordance with the Form 15 and the approved plans. Often requires a site inspection before it’s issued.

If you’re building on or near an existing structure (like adding a level, removing a wall, or working near a neighbour’s footing), an engineer may need to inspect and assess the existing conditions before design or during works.

Not always but if your site has sloping land, retaining walls, driveways, stormwater concerns or complex excavation, civil design is likely required.

You might be able to lodge a DA without full engineering but for a BA or to start construction, you’ll need certified engineering documents ready to go.

• Form 15 for any structural components (e.g. steel, slab, retaining walls)

• Stormwater design (especially if building on a slope or near easements)

• Site-specific wind or flood classification reports

• Structural assessment for alterations or demolitions

• Certification of retaining walls (if over 1m or supporting a structure)

• Missing or inconsistent documentation

• Poor-quality or generic engineering plans

• No site-specific consideration of zoning, overlays, or services

• Lack of clarity on responsibilities between designer, builder, and certifier

We work directly with you, your builder, or your private certifier to make sure what we provide is accurate, acceptable, and aligned with local council standards. We’ve worked with councils across Australia and we’ll tell you exactly what’s needed (and what isn’t).

• Fast turnaround on certifications and reports

• Clear, honest advice on what you need

• Flexible support across Australia