How to Choose the Right Structural Engineer for Your Project

But structural engineers can differ in terms of experience and areas of expertise. The best will deliver great work on time and in full and will collaborate efficiently and effectively with you and every other project stakeholder: architects, geotechnical and civil engineers, surveyors, project managers and more.

So how do you choose the right structural engineer for your project? Read on to find out.

Structural engineers are responsible for the stability, safety and durability of structures on a construction project. They design and analyse structural elements - beams, columns, foundations, etc. - to withstand the loads, forces and environmental factors they'll be exposed to, in-line with local laws, regulations and building codes.

Structural engineers collaborate with civil and geotechnical engineers, architects, contractors and other professionals to integrate their designs into a project, and conduct regular inspections as the project progresses.

By ensuring all structures perform as intended throughout their lifespan, structural engineers ensure public safety and minimise project risks. And by optimising designs for material efficiency and cost-effectiveness, they also help to guarantee the sustainability and economic viability of the project.

What education and certifications do a structural engineer require to work in New Zealand? At minimum the engineer will need:

• A Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (NZQF Level 8) or another Washington Accord-accredited engineering degree from a recognised institution.
• Registration as a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) with Engineering New Zealand, in which the engineer completes an assessment to demonstrate their competence, commits to the CPEng Code of Ethical Conduct, and undergoes a reassessment every six years.

Membership to other nationally recognised professional bodies like Structural Engineering Society New Zealand (SESOC) isn't a must, but can be viewed as an additional mark of excellence.

Just as important as education and professional memberships - perhaps even more so - is real-world proof of the quality of a structural engineer. The best will showcase a wealth of successful projects for you to review, including many that share similarities with yours.

Along with these case studies, get a sense of what previous clients thought about the structural engineer through testimonials and reviews.

Construction projects are complex and deeply collaborative pursuits, particularly from a project management point of view.

Your chosen structural engineer will need to be able to work effectively with you, as well as the architects, contractors and other engineers you hire. Communication is key, so how do you ensure your chosen engineer will communicate with the efficiency and clarity you require?

The good news is you'll quickly get a sense of a structural engineer's communication ability by simply discussing your project with them during the interview phase. If they reply quickly, if they engage deeply and if they give clear answers to your questions, you can be confident that they'll bring this same level of communication to the job.

It's more than likely that someone you know has worked with this structural engineer before, so tap your professional network to get a first-hand review of what they're like to work with.

Choosing a structural engineer that has experience working closely with other professions is a great starting point. An engineer who works alongside other engineering professions, such as in a multi-disciplinary company will be used to working collaboratively and will have the advantage of faster communication and workflows by working simultaneously with other consultants.

Professional indemnity insurance (PII) is an absolute non-negotiable for structural engineers. PII provides financial protection against potential engineering errors, omissions or negligence that may result in structural failures or unexpected costs.

Without PII, the burden of rectifying structural engineering issues - costly repairs, project delays or safety issues - may fall on you. Sufficient PII ensures the engineer can be held financially accountable for their mistakes, which reduces your financial risk.

Exactly what constitutes 'sufficient PII' will depend on the scale and complexity of your project, but it should be enough to comfortably cover what you deem to be a worst-case financial scenario.

How do you make the right choice of structural engineer? You ask the right questions. The six queries below will help you to evaluate an engineer's expertise, level of professionalism and fit for your project:

1. Can you provide references from similar projects? How much experience do they have with projects like yours? How successful have those projects been?
2. What is your approach to solving unexpected issues? By understanding how they tackle unforeseen circumstances like project delays and cost blow-outs, you can evaluate their adaptability and problem-solving skills.
3. Are you familiar with local building codes, regulations and environmental concerns? Local knowledge can be invaluable in structural engineering, as everything from building codes to seismic requirements can change from region to region. While all structural engineers in New Zealand will be able to design for earthquake loads anywhere in the country, having local knowledge will add to the engineer’s understanding of the specific requirements of your land as well as local legal and safety standards.
4. What professional memberships do you belong to? As mentioned above, all qualified structural engineers will have the relevant training and qualifications to work in New Zealand, but professional memberships can bring additional training and mentoring opportunities.
5. What is your typical communication process with clients and other professionals on the project? Understand how they prefer to communicate and collaborate, including any specific tools they might use.
6. What is the estimated timeline and cost of your services? If you're confident the structural engineer ticks all the boxes above, ask for a quote and a detailed timeline for the job.

The ability to identify subpar engineers is every bit as important as the ability to recognise the best. If you encounter any of the situations below, the engineer in question should be a non-starter:

• An unwillingness to provide examples of previous projects: A reluctance to share project examples can hint at poor performance or a lack of experience.
• Lack of credentials: Ensure they have the necessary qualifications and are registered as a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) in New Zealand.
• Insufficient professional indemnity insurance: A lack of PII leaves you exposed as a result of engineering errors or negligence.
• Inconsistent or unclear communication: If you can't get quick, clear answers to simple questions before the project, that doesn't bode well for communication and collaboration during the project.
• Low-cost quotes without justification: You pay for quality. Extremely low pricing can indicate corner-cutting, inexperience or a lack of attention to detail.
• A lack of local knowledge: Region-specific knowledge is particularly valuable in New Zealand, where codes and seismic design rules can vary from place to place.
• A lack of detail in the scope of services: If an engineer is unwilling to clarify what’s included in their services, you may face hidden costs or gaps in the work.

How do you choose a structural engineer? The short answer is carefully.

You need to ensure that the engineer has the necessary qualifications and cover. You should prioritise those with relevant experience, local knowledge and proven track records. You should analyse their ability to communicate and follow through. You should ask probing questions to separate the best from the rest. And the engineer's price and availability will obviously be a key concern.

Ultimately you should trust your gut. There may be multiple options that tick every single box, so there's something to be said for going with the engineer that feels right. If you've done your due diligence, you're safe to trust your judgement.

At Eliot Sinclair we're passionate about shaping a better tomorrow, by providing the structural engineering expertise you need to plan, design and deliver your project. We provide all the consultancy services needed to complete a wide range of private or commercial development projects. Our collaborative approach and integration of services ensures each project receives a seamless and efficient process, from initial investigation to final completion.

With offices up and down Te Waiponanmu, we grant you local access to the best technical minds, who can guarantee the safety and compliance of your project while driving efficiencies within it.

Save time, money and hassle while building better. Get in touch with our friendly team today.

How do I find an engineer for a project?

You can search the official Engineering New Zealand directory to find Chartered Professional Engineers (CPEng) who are qualified and registered. Or you can speak to our team at Eliot Sinclair.

What makes a great structural engineer?

The best structural engineers will bring deep experience in a wide array of construction projects and will have completed many jobs that are like the one you are planning. They'll be easy to communicate and collaborate with and will be comfortable discussing previous projects to highlight their experience with similar projects.