Finding an engineer, answered.

Engineers' fees vary with the discipline, the size and complexity of your project and the level of service. They're often quoted as a lump sum for a defined scope, a fixed fee per certificate or report, or an hourly rate. The clearest way to understand your real number is to post your project and compare written fee proposals from a few chartered or registered engineers.

Yes — for clients it's completely free to post a project and compare fee proposals, with no obligation to proceed. You only pay a small deposit when you choose to engage an engineer, and that deposit goes towards their fee.

It depends on the discipline and scope. A single structural certificate or soil report can take days, while a full engineering package — design, computations and documentation for a DA or CC — runs over several weeks. Your engineer will set out a stage-by-stage timeline in their proposal.

Yes. Engineers are chartered or registered professionals — many hold CPEng status with Engineers Australia, appear on the National Engineering Register (NER), or are registered as RPEQ in Queensland — and carry professional indemnity (PI) insurance. Many are members of Engineers Australia (EA).

Depending on the discipline, an engineer can prepare structural design and certification, engineering computations, geotechnical and soil reports, stormwater and drainage design, mechanical, electrical and hydraulic services, fire engineering, Section J energy assessments, and the documentation your DA, CC or certifier requires. You agree the scope and stages up front in their fee proposal.

Not at all. A rough idea of what you're building, where, and the discipline you think you need is enough to get matched. Part of an engineer's value is scoping the work — and you can attach any design plans, surveys, photos or reports with your project details.

Absolutely. Many engineers offer Section J / energy assessments and ESD (environmentally sustainable design) — thermal performance, services efficiency and compliance modelling. Just note it in your brief and we'll match you with engineers who suit.

Engineer Select operates Australia-wide — with strong coverage across Sydney & NSW, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and regional centres. Engineers are matched to you by location and discipline. Not sure if you're covered? Just ask.

Yes. Once you've engaged your chosen engineer, you work with them directly under their own client agreement. Engineer Select makes the introduction and handles the deposit; the professional relationship is between you and your engineer.

Many projects require engineering documentation — structural certification, stormwater design, geotechnical reports or services — for development application (DA), construction certificate (CC) or complying development approval. Your engineer will advise what your project needs and can prepare and certify the documentation.

Comparing proposals is free. When you choose an engineer you pay a small deposit through Engineer Select to engage them, which goes towards their fee. The engineer's own fee proposal sets out how their remaining fees are staged across the project.

Take your time. The proposals let you compare each engineer's approach, scope, stages and fees side by side, and you can ask each engineer questions before deciding. There's no pressure and no obligation to engage anyone.