Building or renovating means engaging several different professionals, and it's not always obvious who does what — or who you need first. The architect or building designer shapes the design; the structural engineer makes it stand up; the building surveyor assesses it against the regulations and issues the permit. Others join depending on the project.
Here's the cast, in the order you'll usually meet them.
Architect or building designer
They develop the design — the layout, how the spaces work, how the building looks and functions, and how it sits on the site. In Australia the title "architect" is protected and requires registration; building designers and draftspersons perform a similar role and are registered in their own category. Either can prepare the drawings for many residential projects.
You engage them first, because the design shapes everything downstream.
Structural engineer
Once there's a design, the structural engineer works out how it stands up: footings and slab, beams, framing, connections and load paths. They produce structural drawings and computations, and certify the design as compliant.
Engage them during design, not after it's finalised. Structural input early often improves the design and avoids expensive rework — a beam that won't fit, or footings that don't suit the soil.
Civil engineer
On most building projects, the civil engineer handles stormwater and drainage, site levels and grading, and connection to the public network. Some projects need substantial civil input; others need very little. Firms like ours provide both structural and civil engineering, which keeps footings, levels and drainage coordinated.
Geotechnical engineer
They investigate the ground — soil testing and site classification. It's a short, early, essential step: the structural engineer needs that report before designing footings.
Building surveyor
The building surveyor assesses the building work against the regulations and issues the building permit. They're not designing anything — they're the compliance check. They'll tell you what documentation the permit requires, which is why talking to them early saves time.
Land surveyor
Different profession entirely from the building surveyor. A land surveyor establishes boundaries, levels and site features, producing the feature and level survey that the design and civil work rely on.
Others you may need
Depending on the project: an energy rater for energy efficiency documentation; a town planner where a planning permit is required; a fire engineer on larger or complex buildings; and various specialist consultants on commercial work.
Typical sequence
For a straightforward residential project, the order usually runs something like this:
- Land surveyor — establish the site
- Architect or building designer — develop the design
- Geotechnical engineer — soil test and site classification
- Structural and civil engineers — design the structure and site works
- Energy rater and other consultants as required
- Building surveyor — assess and issue the building permit
- Builder — construct to the documentation
The exact sequence varies, and steps overlap. The principle worth remembering: engage the technical consultants early enough to influence the design, rather than treating them as a box to tick before lodging.
Not sure who you need for your project? Talk to a Melbourne engineer and we'll help you work out what your project requires. You can also read more about our team.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an architect and a building designer? "Architect" is a protected title requiring registration; building designers are registered in their own category and perform a similar design role on many residential projects.
What's the difference between a building surveyor and a land surveyor? A building surveyor assesses building work against the regulations and issues the permit. A land surveyor establishes boundaries, levels and site features.
Who do I engage first? Usually your architect or building designer, often after a land survey. Engineers come in during design, before the permit application.
Do I need a structural engineer and a civil engineer? Most projects need both — structural for the building, civil for stormwater, drainage and site levels. Some firms provide both.
When should engineers be engaged? During the design stage, so the structure and site works are coordinated before the design is locked in and lodged for a permit.
