When an issue occurs within the home, it’s important to call a professional with the skills and qualifications to provide an appropriate solution. While different trades may have a basic understanding of a job and can provide a quick fix, they may be lacking the skills to diagnose the cause of the issue and provide a long-term solution. Understanding the difference between a builder and a remedial building specialist takes the guesswork out of solving an issue whilst saving you time and money.

What is a Remedial Building Specialist?

While most builders will simply fix any damage or breakages, remedial building specialists are focused on identifying the underlying cause of the issue to prevent further damage from occurring. Using their extensive knowledge and experience, they will develop a plan to remedy the issue, working with subcontractors to undertake the necessary work to expose the underlying problem before repairing it properly. Remedial building specialists will provide a solution to severe issues within the home that require remedial repairs, including:

• Sinking buildings
• Water damage
• Severe leaks
• Cracks in facades or retaining walls

What is a Handyman?

‘Handyman’ is a catch-all term that can be used by anyone who’s skillset involves the basic repair, maintenance and improvement of a property. In Australia, handymen are not required to be licensed and may require additional support if your project involves specialist work, such as rewiring electrical circuits or changing the structure of a building. You can call a handyman for all basic repairs, including:

• Patching a wall
• Painting
• Replacing a window trim
• Simple home installations

What is a Builder?

A builder is a licensed professional who is a qualified and verified tradesperson. They are responsible for the construction of a project, and work alongside other contractors to complete a project if it requires additional qualifications. A builder will construct and repair structures, manage the purchasing of materials, coordinate sub-contractors such as electricians and plumbers, and oversee the project to ensure the work progresses as planned.

A builder should be called for surface-level problems that require a quick fix. While builders are competent at constructing and repairing buildings, they do not have the skills or experience to diagnose a serious issue and identify the necessary process to rectify the underlying cause of any damage.

Elite Australian Engineers are experts in the diagnosis and reparation of issues within a structure. Our team of remedial building specialists are available to identify the underlying cause of a given issue and provide cost and time-effective solutions to ensure no further damage occurs. Contact us today to learn more about our remedial building specialists.

What projects do Structural Engineers work on?

Structural engineers are responsible for the functional and aesthetic design of structures to ensure they are built to withstand the effects of environmental and physics over time. They use a combination of technical knowledge and practical experience to analyse the potential impact of the physical environment and identify the design requirements to ensure the longevity and safety of the structure.

Structural engineers support the architectural and construction teams throughout a project to ensure a structure’s success. Their primary responsibilities include designing, ongoing testing, evaluating the physical characteristics of a structure, and creating systems to achieve a structurally sound project. 

As the built environment continues to grow, structural engineers are becoming increasingly essential to the design and construction process of structures. Because of this, they work on a variety of projects, including the construction of buildings, bridges and large-scale infrastructure.

New Construction

One of the most common roles of a structural engineer is to aid in the creation of a new building. Before construction can begin, a structural engineer is employed to analyse any factors that could impact the structural stability of the project, such as the soil type, the weight of the structure, the weather patterns and the strength of the planned foundation. Using this information, they are able to determine whether the planned structural foundation will adequately support the building, and provide suggestions for improvements.

Structural engineers are often engaged in early-stage construction to design the foundation, structure and layout of a new building. They may also make ongoing assessments throughout the construction process, and make any necessary adjustments to the development of the project.

Bridge Construction

A structural engineer is integral to the development and construction of a new bridge, to ensure it is able to withstand the weight of proposed traffic. As with buildings, structural engineers will evaluate the soil and weather patterns of the proposed location, as well as the strength of the planned foundation. Using these findings, they will assess the project’s structural integrity and provide appropriate recommendations for improvements.

City Infrastructure

Structural engineers may also be involved in the development of new city infrastructure. Working closely with a civil engineer, they will analyse plans and oversee the construction of major roads, highways, and tunnels. It is essential that a structural engineer is involved to ensure the project can withstand the weather and traffic conditions that a road may face regularly.

They also aid in the design, planning, and construction of a variety of public buildings, including schools, hospitals, and jails, as well as public housing and low-income housing developments.

Construction Site Inspections

Some projects require an ongoing assessment to ensure that the structural plan is being upheld throughout the construction process. It is the role of a structural engineer to visit a project site and monitor the development of the structure and its foundation. This allows them to ensure that building code compliance requirements are met, and to make any necessary changes to secure the project’s structural integrity and reduce the need for future improvements.

Elite Australian Engineering’s team of structural engineers are experts at understanding the structural needs of all new and existing developments. Our team can provide cost-effective and detailed designs, as well as certification to ensure your next project will withstand the test of time. Get in touch today for all structural engineering solutions.

When building a large structure, it is essential for the framework to be specifically designed to withstand any internal or external pressures. Structural Engineering is a field of engineering that focuses on the integrity of a project’s skeleton. Experts in this field are responsible for determining whether a structure is safe for its intended purpose based on its ability to resist environmental and physical challenges.

Structural Engineers are involved in the planning, design and construction of structures such as new residential and commercial buildings, dams and bridges, as well as modifications for existing structures.

Structural Engineering and the Planning Process

Structural Engineering is an integral aspect of the planning and design process. Structural engineers analyse a building plan in the context of its location to identify the external conditions that may impact the structural integrity of the building. Conditions that a structural engineer must consider include:

• Compression
• Expansion
• Pressure
• Temperature
• Weather conditions
• Natural Disasters
• Traffic 
• Topography

Working closely with civil engineers and architects, structural engineers provide technical advice about the project, including the appropriate materials needed to support the design of the structure.

They need to be able to predict how materials will perform over an extended period of time in the conditions of the project’s location. These predictions are used to propose materials that are durable, cost-effective, and supportive of the architect’s aesthetic design. 

Do I need a Structural Engineer for my next project?

Most new projects require the input of a structural engineer in order to attain development approval or a building permit. This is to ensure that all new buildings and other projects are structurally sound and safe for their intended purpose. New builds require an engineer’s certificate, issued by a structural engineer as certification that the project has been designed with their input, and will be built to their specifications.

Elite Australian Engineering’s team of structural engineers are experts at understanding the structural needs of buildings and other new projects. Our team can provide cost effective and detailed designs, as well as certification to ensure your next project will withstand the test of time.

Get in touch today for your next project.