• Servicing the Earthquake Commission’s (EQC) inspection of earthquake damage across thousands of properties
• Servicing major insurers who require realistic assessments of their liability for reinstatement of damage to land and buildings
• Damage assessments and seismic strength assessments for private building owners.

This is very specialised work, requiring more than just technical knowledge. The damage sustained involves both land damage and building damage – both substantial.

Our advice must acknowledge, interpret, and balance all the sometimes competing issues and provide guidance on how they might be resolved.

Fraser Thomas’ engineers have provided specialist advice on numerous aspects of the reinstatement, specifically:

• Geotechnical – will the land concerned be “liquefaction-prone” in future earthquakes, what type of foundations are suitable for rebuilding on?
• Structural – to what extent can damaged buildings be “repaired” within existing Building Act 2004 requirements, or will “seismic strengthening” (to whatever level) be required.