Chambers Consultants is a CPEng-led geotechnical engineering practice based in Auckland, with offices in Papatoetoe and on the North Shore. We investigate ground, prepare consent-ready geotechnical reports and design foundations, retaining walls and slope remediation for homeowners, builders, architects and developers across the Auckland region. Every report we issue is prepared and signed by a Chartered Professional Engineer who has been to your site.
Request a geotechnical quote or call 09 278 1072.
What we do for Auckland projects
- Geotechnical reports for building consent — good ground assessment to NZS 3604, foundation recommendations and producer statements accepted by Auckland Council.
- Site investigation and ground investigation — hand augers, Scala penetrometer, CPT and machine boreholes, chosen to suit the site rather than the budget line.
- Soil testing — shear vane, laboratory classification and expansive-soil testing.
- Slope stability and landslide assessment — for sites on or near slopes, including post-slip remediation.
- Foundation design and retaining wall design.
- Subdivision geotechnical reports and land development earthworks.
- Soakage testing to Auckland Council GD07 for stormwater disposal.
- Construction monitoring — foundation and earthworks inspections through to completion certificates.
Why Auckland ground needs local knowledge
Auckland sits on several very different geological units, and the right investigation depends on which one is under your section:
- Waitematā Group sandstones and mudstones (including East Coast Bays Formation) underlie much of the North Shore, central isthmus and west. Their weathered clay residual soils are often expansive and, on slopes and coastal cliffs, prone to shallow and deep-seated instability.
- Auckland Volcanic Field basalt lava flows, scoria and tuff can give excellent bearing in one corner of a section and loose ash or cavities in another, so spacing of test positions matters.
- Tauranga Group alluvium in low-lying and southern areas such as parts of Manukau, Papakura and Takanini can be soft, compressible and, where saturated sands are present, susceptible to liquefaction.
- Coastal and estuarine margins bring soft marine sediments, groundwater close to the surface and coastal erosion and inundation hazards that may need a separate coastal hazard assessment.
Knowing these patterns lets us scope a fixed investigation up front, instead of returning to site because the first round of testing did not answer the question.
Auckland Council building consent requirements
Auckland Council generally expects a geotechnical report with a building consent application where a site cannot be shown to be “good ground” as defined in NZS 3604, where there are known or suspected hazards such as slope instability, fill, soft or expansive soils, or where the building needs specific engineering design. The report must be prepared by a suitably qualified geotechnical professional and address Building Code Clause B1. Our reports are written to the NZ Geotechnical Society guidance so that council processing officers get what they need first time. See geotechnical investigation requirements for a NZ building consent and what makes a report councils accept.
Areas we cover
From our Papatoetoe office (39 East Tamaki Road) and our North Shore office (61 Constellation Drive) we work across the whole Auckland region, including:
- South and East Auckland — Papatoetoe, Manukau, Ōtara, Flat Bush, Botany, Howick, Papakura, Takanini, Drury, Pukekohe
- Central Auckland — CBD, Epsom, Remuera, Ellerslie, Onehunga, Mt Wellington, Mt Albert, Grey Lynn
- North Shore and Hibiscus Coast — Takapuna, Devonport, Glenfield, Albany, Browns Bay, Silverdale, Ōrewa
- West Auckland — Henderson, New Lynn, Titirangi, Hobsonville, Kumeū
We also take on projects in Northland, Waikato and further afield.
How a typical Auckland geotechnical job runs
- Desk study — we review Auckland Council GeoMaps, existing nearby geotechnical reports, geological maps and your plans before quoting.
- Fixed-fee proposal — scope, test positions, fee and timeframe in writing.
- Fieldwork — usually a single site visit for a standard residential section.
- Report — findings, ground model, foundation and earthworks recommendations, signed by a CPEng geotechnical engineer.
- Support through consent and construction — answering council requests for information and inspecting foundations on site.
Wondering about fees? See what drives the cost of a geotechnical report in Auckland.
What Auckland clients say
“Sam and the team at Chambers Consultants are absolute professionals and provide excellent service and communication. They helped us recently with a complex pre purchase inspection and saved us from making a big mistake!”
Jeremy M., Google review
“The team was professional, reliable, and delivered high-quality results on time. Very responsive and easy to work with—I highly recommend them for any geotechnical needs.”
Hossein G., Google review
“Good reliable Consultant Engineers, technically sound.”
Shahid A., Google review
Read all reviews on Google · What a geotechnical report costs
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a geotechnical engineer for my Auckland building consent?
If your site is not demonstrably good ground under NZS 3604, is sloping, contains fill, or sits in a mapped hazard area, Auckland Council will usually require a geotechnical report. Most new dwellings, significant additions, consented retaining walls and subdivisions need one.
Who signs your reports?
Every Chambers Consultants geotechnical report is reviewed and signed by a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) registered with Engineering New Zealand in the geotechnical practice area.
Do you work on the North Shore?
Yes. Our North Shore office at 61 Constellation Drive serves the North Shore, Hibiscus Coast and Rodney, where Waitematā Group slopes make slope stability assessment a common requirement.
Can you help after a slip or landslide?
Yes. We assess slips, advise on immediate safety and design permanent remediation such as retaining walls, drainage and regrading.
Talk to an Auckland geotechnical engineer: call 09 278 1072, email info@chambersconsultants.co.nz or send us your project details.