Engineer cost for signing off stage payments

Evan_H

Hi there,
I’m going to have a main contractor build my house. I’m wondering what the typical cost is to have an engineer sign off the construction work for stage payments. I might also ask the engineer to pay some other occasional visits to the site to check that all is as it should be. Could I get advice as to how much this would cost in the Munster region and what other stages would it be wise to have the building looked at? Also, should I be looking for a structural engineer?

Thanks in advance,
Evan

AJL

Evan_H wrote:

Hi there,
I’m going to have a main contractor build my house. I’m wondering what the typical cost is to have an engineer sign off the construction work for stage payments. I might also ask the engineer to pay some other occasional visits to the site to check that all is as it should be. Could I get advice as to how much this would cost in the Munster region and what other stages would it be wise to have the building looked at? Also, should I be looking for a structural engineer?

Thanks in advance,
Evan

I got a structural engineer. Cost me 1649 euros.
5 Stages were

foundations
House to roof
House closed in and slated
FIrst fix carpentry/plumbing
2nd fix electrics plastering, plumbing etc.
He needs to check before footings poured to check that there is the required amount of steel in it.
Also needs to check out the roof, load bearing walls etc.

The most important part I think is foundations up to roof. You dont want problems with your roof or structure as it is very costly to correct!!

Evan_H

Thanks AJL, is that price ex VAT? Do you think this price is about average for what engineers charge for 5 visits?

Has anyone else been charged a very different amount?

muffler

That price would seem very reasonable to me.

The fee will depend on several things - what part of Munster you are located. What size of house. What particular engineer you employ as they all have different fees. Your architect or whoever prepared the plans of the house should be able to advise you better but TBH I cant see you getting anything less than about €350 per visit.

A structural engineer is probably your best bet but you will need someone who is familiar with current building methods and the building regs

If all else fails get out the yellow pages and start ringing around

De_man

i have a "fixed price" 2000 & VAT which may seem expensive at first
but my engineer has already made many visits (in fact i've lost track of how many times he came out to visit)

During the foundation stage alone came out at every stage, excavation, set out, fixing of wire mesh, pour, footings, radon barrier etc.

Weekly inspections thereafter, on site, whilst precast flooring installed...and has called out every second day whilst the roof being constructed....

IMHO you get what you pay for

Personally, i'd go for a personal recommendation, it's very important you
get a good engineer rather than have one that'll do the sign off for your mortgage!!

AJL

That proce was inclusing VAT. This is his standard price not sure what other engineers pay. De mans point is very relevant. my engineer came out maybe 6 times in total. Not anything like what deman experienced.
Lookily i have tradesmen that I know well that advised me all the way on any potential problems. .