Receiving a council Request for Further Information, often called an RFI, can be stressful for homeowners. It can feel like the consent has stalled, especially when the wording is technical or asks for engineering information.

An RFI does not necessarily mean the design is wrong. It usually means council needs more information before it can be satisfied that the proposed building work complies with the Building Code.

SES Engineers can help homeowners, designers and builders understand structural RFIs, prepare engineering responses, and provide supporting calculations, drawings or producer statements where required.

Why councils issue RFIs

Council must be satisfied on reasonable grounds that the proposed building work will comply with the Building Code. If the drawings, specifications or calculations do not clearly show this, council may issue an RFI.

For structural matters, RFIs often relate to load paths, beams, lintels, bracing, foundations, retaining walls, decks, connections, stormwater, site conditions or missing producer statements.

Common structural RFIs for house projects

Common examples include asking for beam calculations, confirmation that a wall is not load-bearing, bracing calculations, portal frame design, foundation details, pile bracing, lintel support, hold-down details, deck design, PS1 documentation, or clarification of how NZS 3604 applies.

RFIs can also arise during renovations where the existing building is not fully documented or where the proposed changes affect the structural system.

Why a clear response matters

A good RFI response should answer the question directly. It should not create more uncertainty, introduce uncoordinated details, or rely on vague statements where calculations or drawings are needed.

A clear engineering response can help the designer update the consent set, help the builder understand the required work, and help council complete its review.

How SES Engineers can assist

SES Engineers can review the RFI, identify the engineering issue, request any missing information, prepare calculations, provide details, mark up drawings, issue a PS1 where appropriate, and help the design team respond to council.

Where a site issue or construction-stage query is involved, SES can also provide site inspections, remote inspections, construction monitoring and PS4 documentation where required.

Do not leave engineering RFIs until the end

Some RFIs can be answered quickly. Others may require redesign, new details, revised drawings or coordination with the builder and architect. The earlier an engineering RFI is reviewed, the easier it is to avoid project delays.

Frequently asked questions

Can SES help if another designer prepared the original consent?

Yes. SES Engineers can review the RFI and the relevant drawings to confirm what engineering support is needed.

Can SES deal directly with council?

SES can assist with council liaison and RFI responses where this is part of the agreed scope.

Will an engineering response guarantee council acceptance?

No. The response provides supporting engineering information, but council still completes its own review.

How SES Engineers can help

SES Engineers provides structural engineering support for building consent RFIs for residential projects across New Zealand. We can prepare engineering design, calculations, consent documentation, PS1s, construction monitoring, site inspections, remote inspections, PS4s and council RFI responses where required.

Contact SES Engineers for pricing at www.sesengineers.co.nz. Pricing depends on the project scope, complexity, consent requirements, level of documentation required and whether inspections or PS4 documentation are needed.

Reference notes for content person

·      MBIE Producer statements: https://www.building.govt.nz/projects-and-consents/apply-for-building-consent/support-your-consent-application/producer-statements

·      MBIE B1 Structure: https://www.building.govt.nz/building-code-compliance/b-stability/b1-structure

MBIE Using NZS 3604 Timber-framed buildings: https://www.building.govt.nz/building-code-compliance/how-the-building-code-works/using-nzs-3604-timber-framed-buildings