By QED Consulting Engineers — structural & civil engineers, Notting Hill, Melbourne
After a big storm, the visible damage — lifted roof sheets, a fallen tree, cracked walls — is often only part of the story. A structural assessment by an engineer establishes whether your building is safe, what's actually damaged, and what's needed to put it right — and it's frequently required for an insurance claim.
Here's when to get one and what it involves.
When do you need a structural assessment after a storm?
Consider one when:
- The roof structure has been damaged or partially lifted
- A tree or large branch has struck the building
- New cracking has appeared in walls or the structure after the event
- Part of the building is visibly leaning, sagging or moving
- Your insurer requests an engineer's report to support a claim
- You're simply unsure whether the building is safe to occupy
If there's any doubt about safety, treat the building cautiously and get it assessed rather than assuming surface repairs are enough.
Why surface damage can hide structural damage
Wind and impact loads travel through a structure. A storm that lifts part of a roof doesn't just damage the sheeting — it can stress the tie-downs, framing and connections that were resisting the uplift. A tree strike can crack more than the wall it hit. What looks like a cosmetic repair can sit on top of a structural problem that will resurface later.
An engineering assessment traces the damage through the load path — checking not just what's visibly broken, but what's been overstressed along the way.
What the assessment covers
A storm damage structural assessment typically includes:
- Inspecting the affected structure — roof, walls, framing, connections
- Determining what's structural versus cosmetic
- Assessing safety — whether the building or part of it is safe to use
- Identifying the cause and extent of the damage
- A written report setting out findings and the scope of remediation
That report is often exactly what an insurer needs: an independent, qualified assessment of what the storm damaged and what repair is required.
The insurance dimension
Insurers frequently want an engineer's report to process a structural claim — both to confirm the damage is genuine and storm-related, and to scope the repair. An independent structural report gives you credible documentation and helps ensure the remediation addresses the real damage, not just what's visible. Where a claim is disputed, that report carries weight.
Our team provides storm and wind damage assessments across residential and commercial buildings in Melbourne.
Make-safe first, assess properly second
Immediately after a storm, the priority is making the site safe — which is separate from a proper structural assessment. Once any immediate hazard is managed, an engineering assessment gives you the full picture before repairs are committed to, so you're not paying to fix symptoms while a cause goes untreated.
Storm or wind damage to your building?
Talk to a Melbourne structural engineer for an assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an engineer after storm damage?
If the roof structure, framing or walls are affected, a tree has struck the building, or new movement has appeared, an engineering assessment is worthwhile — and your insurer may require one.
Will my insurer need a structural report?
Often, yes — insurers frequently request an independent engineer's report to confirm and scope structural storm damage.
Can storm damage be worse than it looks?
Yes. Wind and impact loads travel through the structure, so tie-downs, framing and connections can be stressed even where the visible damage seems minor.
What does a storm damage assessment include?
Inspection of the affected structure, a determination of what's structural, a safety assessment, and a written report on the cause, extent and remediation.
