Short answer
Potential professional scope includes survey, geotechnical advice, engineering design, drafting, certification, authority fees and inspections. Ask who appoints each party, what deliverable is included and whether revisions or construction inspections are allowed for.
Possible professional line items
| Item | Possible purpose | Question |
|---|---|---|
| Survey | Levels, boundaries or existing conditions | What accuracy and deliverable are required? |
| Geotechnical | Ground, groundwater or founding advice | Is investigation, testing and a report included? |
| Engineering | Design, drawings and calculations | Does scope include revisions and construction queries? |
| Certification | Required review or inspection pathway | Which inspections and records are included? |
| Authority fees | Planning, building or other application | Who lodges and manages requests for information? |
Why headline engineering prices vary
A simple design from complete site information is not the same service as a constrained boundary replacement requiring survey, ground investigation, coordination and inspections. Published fee guides are useful for discovery but cannot substitute for a written professional scope.
How to compare the allowance
- Name the professional discipline and deliverable.
- State whether GST and authority fees are included.
- Record assumptions about survey and ground information.
- Confirm revisions, inspections and construction support.
- Keep professional liability and contractor warranty roles separate.
Confirm the project pathway
Check the applicable jurisdiction sources and property facts, then confirm the current requirements with the relevant authority and suitably qualified professionals.