Two engineers in hard hats reviewing plans on site

New Home Construction EngineeringStructural Engineering for New Builds

Complete structural engineering for new residential homes in NSW — from site assessment and footing design through to framing, connections, and council or CDC approval.

NEW HOME.

Construction Engineering

Building a new home requires engineering from the ground up

Every new home constructed in NSW — whether it is a single-storey brick veneer, a two-storey lightweight timber frame, or a split-level concrete home on a sloping block — must be underpinned by a complete structural engineering package. The structural design governs how the building stands up, how loads are transferred to the ground, and how all the individual elements work together as a coherent system.

At IA Engineering, we provide end-to-end structural engineering for new residential homes across Greater Sydney and regional NSW. Our scope covers everything from the geotechnical review and footing design through to wall framing, roof structure, connections, and certifier-ready documentation — all prepared by Registered Professional Engineers and designed to Australian Standards.

We work directly with architects, draftspeople, and builders to ensure the structural design integrates seamlessly with the architectural intent, meets the requirements of the development consent, and is ready for construction from day one of the build.

Architectural model of a new two-storey home held up for review
New Home Construction

Structural engineering that fits your site and your build

We review your soil report, architectural plans, and council controls before selecting a structural system — so the design is optimised for your specific site conditions, not adapted from a generic template.

  • Footing design for all soil classifications
  • Timber and steel wall framing
  • Roof structure and rafter design
  • Connection details and tie-down schedules
New home shown as built alongside its engineering: timber roof trusses, load-bearing wall framing, timber floor joists, waffle pod slab, engineered footings, and a displacement analysis of the completed frame
Structural engineering package for a new home in Western Sydney — engineered footings, waffle pod slab, load-bearing wall framing, timber roof structure, and the analysis behind them, all issued as one certifier-ready set.

Footings & Foundations

The foundation determines how the home performs for decades.

Footing design is the most consequential structural decision on any new home. It must account for the soil classification (from Class A through to Class P reactive clay sites), the design loads, the slope of the site, and any geotechnical constraints identified in the soil investigation. Undersized or poorly specified footings are one of the most common causes of long-term building movement, cracking, and structural distress.

At IA Engineering, we review the geotechnical report in detail and design footings that are appropriate for the site — whether that means standard strip footings, raft slab systems, pier and beam foundations, or bored concrete piers on reactive clay or problem soils. We do not apply generic solutions to complex sites.

Our footing designs comply with AS 2870 (Residential Slabs and Footings) and are issued with engineering certification accepted by NSW private certifiers and local councils. Where a site presents unusual conditions — fill material, flood overlays, contaminated land, or proximity to large trees — we document the design rationale clearly so the certifier understands the engineering basis for every decision.

What our new home engineering covers

  • Geotechnical review & soil classificationWe interpret the geotechnical report to confirm soil classification and identify any conditions that affect the footing or foundation design.
  • Slab & footing designStrip footings, raft slabs, waffle pod slabs, and deep pier systems designed to AS 2870 for all NSW soil classifications.
  • Wall framing & structural systemTimber stud walls, LVL beams, steel portal frames, and bracing layouts designed to AS 1684 and AS 4600.
  • Roof structure designConventional rafters, truss configurations, and ridge beam sizing designed for wind regions across Sydney and NSW.
  • Connection & tie-down schedulesAll structural connections specified to AS 1684 with tie-down requirements for the applicable wind classification.
  • Council & CDC documentationEngineering drawings, certificates, and reports prepared to satisfy DA approval conditions or CDC private certifier requirements.

Our Scope

Types of new home projects we engineer

Our new home structural team works across the full range of residential construction types across Greater Sydney and NSW — from project homes and custom designs to knockdown rebuilds and sloping site builds.

Single-Storey Homes

Complete structural packages for single-storey homes on flat and sloping sites across all NSW soil classifications. We cover slab or footing design, wall framing, roof structure, and all connection details — providing a single coordinated engineering package ready for submission to the certifier.

Two-Storey & Multi-Level Homes

Structural engineering for two-storey and split-level homes, including upper-floor framing, transfer beams, inter-storey connections, and stair framing. We ensure the upper-level loads are correctly transferred to the ground floor structure and footing system, and that all tie-down requirements are met for the applicable wind region.

Knockdown Rebuild Projects

Knockdown rebuilds often reveal unexpected soil or drainage conditions once the old structure is removed. We conduct a fresh engineering assessment for the new structure — reviewing any geotechnical data, inspecting the exposed subgrade, and designing the most appropriate footing system for the new home and the actual site conditions.

Sloping Site & Hillside Builds

Sloping sites introduce structural complexity: stepped footings, sub-floor framing, elevated ground floors, and retaining walls may all be required. Our team has extensive experience with hillside residential construction across the Sydney basin and Blue Mountains, designing practical and cost-effective solutions that work with the topography rather than against it.

“A new home is only as good as the engineer who designed the structure the builder never sees — footings, frames, and connections that carry every load for fifty years.”

IA Engineering Design Team
AS 2870
Residential Slabs & Footings
AS 1684
Timber Framing Standard
DA & CDC
Approval Pathways
RPE
Certified Every Package

The Engineering

What we design before the slab is poured

New home structural engineering begins well before construction. We review the geotechnical investigation, assess the architectural plans, and establish the governing structural system before a single detail is drawn. The structural design must account for dead loads, live loads, wind actions, and in some areas seismic actions — all defined to AS/NZS 1170 and applied to the specific site and wind region.

Every beam, column, and connection is sized by calculation. Where standard span tables from AS 1684 apply, we use them efficiently. Where a project requires more — a longer span, a heavier load, or an unusual configuration — we calculate explicitly and specify the exact section required. The goal is a buildable, economical design that is structurally adequate and certifier-ready.

Our construction documentation includes structural drawings, engineering certificates, specification notes, and hold-point inspection requirements. For projects requiring staged inspections — footings, framing, and pre-roof — we provide inspection certificates at each stage and remain available for builder queries throughout the build.

New home structural engineering drawings and details

Standards & Compliance

Every new home package certified by Registered Professional Engineers

All structural designs issued by IA Engineering carry the signature and certification of a Registered Professional Engineer (RPE) in New South Wales. This is the standard required by NSW councils, private certifiers, and building code authorities for structural engineering certification on new home construction — ensuring your project meets code and is approved on first submission.

AS 2870 Residential Slabs & FootingsAS 1684 Timber FramingAS 4600 Cold-Formed SteelAS 3600 Concrete StructuresAS/NZS 1170 Structural ActionsNCC / BCA Compliant

Our Approach

How we work with your team

We engage early — reviewing your architectural plans and soil report before the structural scope is finalised. If a geotechnical investigation has not yet been commissioned, we advise on the appropriate investigation level for the site and can coordinate with geotechnical firms. We issue a clear scope and fee proposal before any structural work begins.

Throughout the design process, we communicate directly with your architect, draftsperson, and builder. If a structural solution affects the architectural intent — a beam depth that reduces ceiling height, a column that affects an open-plan living space — we raise it early and work through alternatives collaboratively.

Once drawings are issued, we are available for builder RFIs and certifier queries throughout the build. For projects with mandatory hold-point inspections — footings, framing, and pre-slab — we attend site and issue certificates promptly so construction is never held up waiting for engineering sign-off.

Built for Your Site, Certified for Council

Starting a new home construction project?

From footings to roof structure and certifier documentation, our team delivers complete new home structural engineering packages that councils and private certifiers accept on first submission.

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1300 911 671