FIL Engineers

25/10/2026

📋 NZS 3604 DOESN'T SOLVE EVERYTHING

"Can we just build it to NZS 3604?"

Sometimes.

But once your building moves outside the standard scope, unusual geometry, large spans, significant openings, complex loads or other specific conditions, specific engineering may be required.

NZS 3604 is an excellent standard.

But knowing when it applies and when it doesn't, is just as important.

22/10/2026

Exempt Building Work: What You Can (and Can't) Do Without a Building Consent

A plain-language guide to exempt building work in NZ: what Schedule 1 covers, what still applies, and when to check with your engineer.

https://filengineers.nz/post/exempt-building-work-nz-no-consent

21/10/2026

Producer Statements Explained: When PS1-PS4 Need an Engineer's Sign-Off

What PS1, PS2, PS3 and PS4 producer statements mean, who can sign them, and when your build or alteration needs an engineer's sign-off.

https://filengineers.nz/post/producer-statements-ps1-ps4-explained-nz

20/10/2026

Cracks After an Earthquake: What They're Really Telling You

A plain-language guide to reading cracks after a quake - what's cosmetic, what's structural, and when to call an engineer.

https://filengineers.nz/post/cracks-after-earthquake-nz

20/10/2026

19/10/2026

Flood-Damaged Buildings: What to Check Before You Repair

A practical guide to assessing flood-damaged homes in NZ: what to check in foundations, framing and wiring, and when to call in an engineer.

https://filengineers.nz/post/flood-damaged-buildings-checks-nz

19/10/2026

Post-Earthquake Checks: What to Look at Before Reoccupying Your Building

What to check after an earthquake, how NZ's placarding and engineer assessment process works, and when it's safe to go back inside.

https://filengineers.nz/post/post-earthquake-checks-reoccupation-nz

19/10/2026

Concrete Cracks vs Structural Cracks: How to Tell the Difference

Most cracks in concrete are cosmetic shrinkage cracks. Here's how to tell those apart from ones that need an engineer.

https://filengineers.nz/post/concrete-cracks-vs-structural-cracks-nz

18/10/2026

22. 🏠 GARAGE OPENINGS ARE STRUCTURAL

Want a 6m, 7m or even wider garage opening?

It can be done.

But removing a large section of wall changes the structural behaviour of the building.

Before designing the façade around the biggest possible garage door, talk to the engineer about what the structure needs.

Sometimes a small change in opening width can save significant structural cost.

15/10/2026

🪨 RETAINING WALLS ARE STRUCTURES TOO

That retaining wall holding your driveway up?

It's not just a landscaping feature.

Retaining walls carry soil pressure, water pressure and seismic loads — often more than people expect.

Height, soil type, surcharge loads and drainage all affect the design.