What should I include in a scope for a flood or coastal engineer?

Summary: Confirms flood or coastal hazard levels and sets minimum floor levels and design measures.

Why it matters: Floor levels set by flood controls can change the whole design, cost of fill and stairs, and insurance.

When needed: Flood, overland flow, storm tide or coastal erosion overlays apply.

Minimum scope by stage

• Design: review of council flood information and overlays; flood level and minimum habitable floor level
• Planning or building approval: flood report; flood-compatible materials and services below flood level; structural loads advice to the engineer where required
• Construction: floor level confirmed by the surveyor before slab pour
• Completion: flood compliance letter where council or the certifier requires it

Options

• Flood modelling where council data is not available
• Overland flow path design
• Coastal hazard or erosion assessment

Meetings and site visits: Usually desktop; a site visit for complex sites.

Watch-out: Get a council flood search early. It is often cheap and can save a consultant fee.