A structural engineer's report is often the most important document in a foundation repair. It is what a good solution is designed around, and what a future buyer will rely on. Before you engage one, make sure you are getting genuine forensic expertise, not a generic inspection. These questions help.
In Queensland, engineering services should be provided by a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland. You are paying for an RPEQ, so make sure one actually attends and signs the report.
Not all movement is structural, and diagnosing subsidence is a specialised field. Ask about their specific experience with reactive soils and residential underpinning.
A forensic assessment with measured floor levels is essential to quantify the movement against standards such as AS2870. Without it, you are relying on opinion.
Independence matters. The assessment should verify the problem objectively, not simply justify a predetermined product.
You want the cause, the extent, and a clear recommendation you can act on, explained in plain language, not jargon.
If underpinning is recommended, the design should be site-specific and signed off, which matters for council approval, insurance and resale.
At Foundation Solutions we use our own partnered structural engineers with over 80 years of combined experience, so you do not have to ring around for separate quotes. Learn more on our forensic engineering page, or start with a complimentary Home Check-up.