Prices charged by Cephas Rock Limited will vary according to the project, however here are some guidelines.
Consultation Fee for design work and larger projects
(which are charged at an hourly rate)
$120 plus GST per hour for a junior engineer
$200 plus GST per hour for a senior engineer
Site visits $200 plus GST
A deposit is generally required before commencement of larger projects.
Structural Assessment and Report
(sometimes called house check, home inspection or property check)
Prices start from $450 + GST
This includes a visual inspection of the exterior and interior structural elements of the building to determine the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake in 4 September 2010 and the 6.3 magnitude earthquake on 22 February, 13 June and 23 December 2011, as well as there subsequent aftershocks.
A structural check includes (as applicable or accessible):
- the roof
- the roof space
- the piles (sub-floor space)
- fences, paving, decking and driveways
- evidence of house and/or ground movement (liquefaction observations)
- visible water damage
- cracks in the external cladding
- cracks in the internal linings and ceilings
- floor levels
- these same checks for ancillary buildings (garages/ sleep outs etc)
- repair methodology
Please note:
There is an additional charge for out of town visits and for inspections of extremely damaged buildings from earthquakes.
This structural assessment does not include water tightness, leaky home, moisture check, electrical fittings, drainage etc these are generally included in a builders report)
Soil Investigation
(Shallow Soil Geotechnical Report)
Garage $600 plus GST
House $600 – $800 + GST up to 200 metres squared footprint
$100 + GST for each additional 100 metres squared
This is a shallow soil investigation which involves hand auger and penetrometer tests to 2-3 metres deep. This is especially suitable for Christchurch land zoned Green: Grey TC1 or Yellow TC2. Also, should it be necessary, we will provide a site specific foundation design (see below)
Please note: this test is not suitable for Christchurch Red or Blue TC3 zones. For this you will require a full site-specific geotechnical report and specific foundation design and you would need to engage a Geotechnical engineering firm. This is because the foundation requirements changed in 2011 after the earthquake events.
Information is available on the Department of Building and Housing’s website at: www.dbh.govt.nz/canterbury-earthquake-residential-building
Disclaimer: Full care and diligence is taken – we make sure the tests are made as far away from electrical cables and other underground services as is practicable. However, underground services (pipes, electrical, gas) are sometimes struck. If we happen to damage underground services we agree that the client is to pay the cost if no location plans were supplied. It is the owners responsibility to arrange location and marking on the ground of these services on site, and especially of electrical cables.
Specific Foundation design
Prices start from $300 + GST for basic design
More complicated designs are charged on an hourly basis $120 + GST for junior engineer and $200 + GST for senior engineer
This service is provided only if the soil safe bearing capacity is less than 100Kpa (ultimate bearing capacity of 300Kpa).
Payments
Payment is generally expected before the release of the report, or as arranged. A 14 day payment period is requested. Reports will not be released until the account is paid in full.
Trouble making your payment?
We understand it is not always easy to make prompt payment of accounts.
Please contact us immediately if you foresee a problem and we will attempt to help in any way we can.
However, if you have not previously arranged with us your situation, we will unfortunately have to hand the matter over to a collection agency to resolve the matter on our behalf.
Contact us
Please email admin@cephasrock.co.nz if you have any questions.
