Structural assessment and documentation for existing-building approvals.
Existing sheds, carports, patios, decks, retaining walls, extensions and other structures may have incomplete approvals, inspections or engineering records. Elite provides structural assessment, calculations, documentation and rectification design for the approval pathway confirmed by the private building certifier.
Existing structures commonly assessed.
Sheds, garages and carports
Steel or timber framing, bracing, tie-downs, connections and footings for sheds, garages and carports with incomplete approval or engineering records.
Patios, verandahs, awnings and decks
Assessment of framing, supports, connections, attachment to existing buildings and foundations where approval or structural evidence is incomplete.
Extensions and structural alterations
Assessment of altered framing, load paths, bracing, support conditions and foundations where existing-building records are incomplete or the structure has changed.
Retaining and ancillary structures
Existing retaining walls and other steel or timber ancillary structures requiring structural assessment, documentation or rectification.
Align the engineering scope with the certification pathway.
Available council records and the private building certifier’s requirements establish the approval pathway before detailed engineering is finalised.
The private building certifier confirms whether an approval exists, whether it remains current, whether a new application is required, and which plans, reports, inspections and referrals are needed. Elite provides the structural assessment, design and documentation required for the confirmed pathway; Elite does not act as the building certifier.
Read the retrospective building approval engineering guideEngineering assessment, documentation and rectification.
Records review and site assessment
Available approvals, drawings and certifier correspondence are reviewed. Site inspection and measured observations are used to record the visible structural system, load paths, condition and construction constraints.
Structural analysis
Members, connections, bracing, tie-downs, footings and retaining elements are assessed against the available evidence and applicable design requirements.
As-constructed and rectification documentation
Where supported by the available evidence, Elite can prepare measured structural documentation, calculations, engineering details, strengthening or rectification design for the agreed scope.
Construction support
Construction clarifications and inspections are provided where included in the agreed scope. Proposed departures from documented rectification work must be reviewed before the affected work proceeds.
Concealed structural details may require targeted investigation.
A completed structure can conceal footing dimensions, reinforcement, welds, bolts, framing connections, tie-downs, bracing, member thickness, corrosion and drainage details. Where these details affect the assessment and cannot be established from accessible evidence, further investigation may be required.
Further investigation where required
- Selected excavation to establish footing geometry
- Targeted opening-up of framing, connections or tie-downs
- Measurement of accessible member and connection details
- Material testing
- Survey information
- Geotechnical information where required
- Original product or manufacturer documentation
Certification and inspection documents.
Form 15 — design or specification
Form 15 certifies a building design or specification for the nominated structural scope. Where applicable, Elite may issue Form 15 for structural design or rectification documentation prepared and certified by Elite.
Form 12 — aspect inspection
Form 12 is an aspect inspection certificate. It may be issued where Elite is properly appointed to inspect a defined structural aspect and the observed work and available evidence support the stated outcome.
Form 16 — inspection stage
Form 16 relates to an inspection stage. The private building certifier determines the applicable inspection pathway and whether an appointed competent person is required for a particular structural inspection.
Final certification
The private building certifier remains responsible for the broader approval and final certification pathway. A site visit alone does not justify a Form 12, Form 15, Form 16 or final certification, and Elite does not promise acceptance of concealed construction.
Establish the engineering requirements for the existing structure.
Retrospective approval is not automatic. Depending on the structure and the available evidence, the engineering outcome may include:
- Engineering acceptance of elements adequately demonstrated by the available evidence
- Further inspection, opening-up, testing or survey
- Strengthening of members or connections
- Additional bracing or tie-downs
- Footing enlargement or additional footings
- Corrosion or durability repairs
- Drainage rectification
- Partial reconstruction
- Replacement or removal where structural adequacy cannot be defensibly established
Information required to define the engineering scope.
Send the available approval history and structural evidence so the required investigation, assessment and documentation can be defined.
Property and approval records
Property address or suburb and postcode, council building and plumbing records where relevant, private-certifier or building-consultant correspondence, notices and existing approvals.
Structure details
Overall and close-up photographs, approximate dimensions, known construction history, existing drawings and details of any opening-up already completed.
Technical information
Survey, geotechnical information, product or manufacturer details and the required timeframe where available.
Contact Elite about an existing structure requiring approval.
Send the property location, available approval records, photographs, dimensions and the private certifier’s requirements. Elite will review the information and advise the appropriate structural engineering scope.