Engineering · 7 min read · 28 October 2026
Before You Build: The Structural Review Every Owner Should Commission
A practical guide to what a pre-construction structural review covers, when you need one, and what documents it should produce.
What a structural review is — and is not
A structural review is an independent check of a proposed or existing structure against accepted design codes and sound engineering judgement. It is not a rubber stamp, and it is not a substitute for full design by a registered structural engineer — for regulated work, the responsible professional must sign off under their licence.
What it does provide is an honest answer to the questions owners actually ask: Will it stand? Is the design safe? What is under-specified? What will it cost?
When you need one
Before construction starts (design check), when buying a building (condition assessment), when altering an existing structure (added floors, wall removal, mezzanine), and whenever drawings come from a source you cannot fully verify. It is also prudent when a contractor proposes value-engineering changes to a structural system.
What the review should produce
At minimum: a written assessment with findings ranked by risk, annotated drawings or marked-up details, and clear recommendations — reject, approve, or approve with conditions. If someone cannot put their findings in writing, you do not have a review; you have a conversation.
On budget: the review fee is almost always small against the cost of a structural failure, remedial works, or a stalled site. The cheapest time to find a problem is before concrete is poured.
ASDO Editorial. This article is general guidance, not project-specific advice; every engagement starts with a proper survey and a written scope. Engineering work described here is subject to the regulated-work notice in our footer and on each service page.