Structural engineering for homes that stand the test of time
You’ll never see most of the engineering in your home. It’s in the footings under the slab, the beams above the ceiling and the drainage around the site. But it’s what keeps your home solid, safe and free from cracks for decades.
At United Engineering Consultants, engineering isn’t an add-on. It’s in our name and at the heart of everything we design and build.
Why engineering matters in Adelaide
Many parts of Adelaide sit on reactive clay soils. These soils swell when they get wet and shrink as they dry out, which can move footings and cause cracking if a home isn’t designed for it. Every site is different, so every home needs engineering that’s designed for the ground it sits on.
Under the Australian Standard for residential slabs and footings (AS 2870), sites are classified by how much the soil is expected to move, from Class A (little or no movement) to Class E (extreme movement), with Class P for problem sites. Your site class shapes your footing design.
Our structural engineering services
New home engineering
Complete structural engineering for new homes and knockdown rebuilds.
Footings and foundations
Slab and footing design to suit your soil report and site classification.
Site and drainage plans
Stormwater, levels and drainage designed to protect your home and meet council requirements.
Structural design
Beams, bracing, frames and wall removals for new homes, renovations and extensions.
Retaining walls
Engineered retaining walls for sloping sites, cut and fill, and boundaries.
Engineering and design, working together
When engineering is done by a separate firm at the end of the design process, problems often turn up late. A beam that won’t fit, a slab that’s more expensive than expected or a design that needs to change.
We bring engineering into your design from the start. Our engineers and designers work side by side, so your plans are structurally sound and cost-effective before they go to council.
For builders and owner-builders
Already have a builder or managing your own build? You can engage us for structural engineering only.
Our engineering credentials
[TEAM QUALIFICATIONS: name of the engineer responsible, qualifications, e.g. CPEng, NER, Engineers Australia membership, and professional indemnity insurance.]
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a structural engineer for my home?+
Almost every new home, and many renovations and extensions, need structural engineering as part of Building Consent. We’ll tell you what your project needs.
Do I need a soil test?+
For new homes and most extensions, yes. Your footing design is based on a soil report, which gives your site its classification. [CLIENT TO CONFIRM: whether UEC arranges the soil test or the client does.]
Can you engineer plans drawn by someone else?+
[CLIENT TO CONFIRM.]
