Industry sector
Forensic Engineering for the Construction Industry
Pre-construction dilapidation surveys, construction monitoring, post-construction defect investigation, and independent quality review for construction projects.
Discuss your projectConstruction projects create risk for adjacent structures, neighbouring property owners, and the completed building itself. Managing that risk requires engineering documentation before work begins, monitoring during construction, and thorough investigation when defects are identified after practical completion. Our team supports construction projects across all these phases, providing the technical documentation that protects clients from claims and enables fair resolution when issues arise.
Pre-construction dilapidation surveys document the condition of existing structures adjacent to a proposed development before any ground disturbance, vibration, or construction loads occur. Without this baseline documentation, any damage claim that emerges during construction becomes a word-against-word dispute. Our surveys are thorough, photographic, and prepared to a standard that would withstand legal scrutiny. We survey adjacent structures, footpaths, driveways, retaining walls, and any built asset that could be affected by the proposed works.
Construction monitoring ensures that the protection measures designed for adjacent structures are actually working. Settlement monitoring points measure ground movement. Crack monitors track any new cracking in adjacent buildings. Vibration sensors check compliance with safe vibration limits. When monitoring data indicates that protection measures are not performing as expected, our team provides rapid advice to the contractor before damage occurs rather than after.
Post-construction defect investigation is required when a building owner, buyer, or strata body corporate believes that the completed building does not meet the required standard. We investigate construction defects systematically, comparing the as-built condition against the design documents, the specification, the relevant Australian Standards, and the requirements of the NCC. Our reports provide the technical basis for defect liability negotiations with builders and developers.
Services we deliver
- 01Pre-construction dilapidation surveys
- 02Construction vibration monitoring
- 03Adjacent structure settlement monitoring
- 04Post-construction defect investigation
- 05Independent construction quality review
- 06Temporary works design and certification
- 07NCC compliance investigation
- 08Construction defect expert witness reports
Typical engagements
- 01Principal contractor engagement
- 02Developer pre-construction risk assessment
- 03Neighbouring property owner protection
- 04Post-handover defect investigation
- 05Certifier-referred independent review
- 06Home warranty insurance dispute investigation
Frequently asked questions
Construction engineering questions answered
Q01
What does a pre-construction dilapidation survey include?
A pre-construction dilapidation survey documents the existing condition of structures that could potentially be affected by the proposed construction. Typically this includes all adjoining buildings, boundary walls, retaining walls, footpaths, and driveways within the zone of influence of the works. The survey includes a visual inspection, photographic record of all existing cracks and defects, measurements of any existing crack widths, and an overall condition rating. The survey report is provided to both the developer and the adjoining property owner so that the pre-construction baseline is agreed between parties before work begins.
Q02
What vibration limits apply to construction vibration in residential areas?
Construction vibration limits for residential structures in Australia are governed by Australian Standard AS 2187.2 and state road and environment authority guidelines. The primary limit for residential structures under AS 2187.2 is a peak particle velocity (PPV) of 5 mm/s for continuous vibration and 10 mm/s for transient events such as blasting. These limits protect against cosmetic cracking; structural damage thresholds are considerably higher. Some heritage buildings and sensitive structures require tighter limits. We install vibration monitors that alert the site team in real time when PPV levels approach trigger thresholds.
Q03
We have just received a defect notice under the Queensland BIFA legislation. What do we do?
Under the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act and the Queensland defect liability regime, a formal defect notice triggers a response obligation for the contractor or developer. The first step is to commission an independent forensic investigation to assess each defect listed. The investigation determines which alleged defects are genuine construction deficiencies, which are maintenance items, and which are within tolerance under the relevant standards. This technical assessment is the basis for negotiating a fair rectification scope with the claimant. We prepare investigation reports specifically structured for BIFA proceedings.
Q04
What is the difference between a building certifier inspection and an independent forensic investigation?
A building certifier inspects the work against the approved plans and the Building Code of Australia at the nominated inspection stages during construction. Certifiers check compliance but do not investigate the underlying quality of workmanship or materials in detail. A forensic investigation goes deeper: we test materials, probe behind surfaces, measure element performance against Australian Standards, and identify defects that are not visible on the surface or that developed after the certifier inspected. Independent forensic investigations are often commissioned when the certifier inspections missed defects that became apparent after practical completion.