This is a very open ended question, as many things can affect the cost of hiring a structural engineer. Different companies have different pricing models. Some charge extra for out of the ordinary jobs, and some don’t. It also depends on the size of the company, the skill of the people doing it (more proficient means less time doing the work), and whether or not the company gets the work done locally. Believe it or not, many Australian structural engineering companies get their drafting work (and their engineering too!) done overseas in places like the Philippines and South East Asia. All our engineering and drafting is done locally, and this can push the prices up. But it is luckily offset by our low overheads.
Another factor that can affect the price of engineering is the size of the structure or building being built. Of course a one bedroom extension to your house is going to cost less than a 10,000 square metre office block. Many Australian structural engineering companies charge as per a percentage of what they estimate the total construction cost to be.
The complexity of the job as well as any risk taken on or liability can also be a factor.
But all that aside, here are some numbers.
For a small extension, you’re looking to pay between $200 and $1000, depending on the size and complexity. For a single storey dwelling, the price will be between $1000 and $2500, again depending on the size and what is involved. Two storey houses are generally $2000+, and it goes up from there.
Do you have any questions about the cost of specific items or anything else? Leave a message below and I’ll let you know.