Structural engineering & calculations, UK-wide
In-house structural engineers designing and calculating the structure behind your extension, loft conversion, wall removal or new build, for projects anywhere in the UK from our Durham office. Send us your planning drawings for a fixed written proposal, or let us prepare the whole package.
Who this is for
Most building control applications need a structural design. If your project removes a load-bearing wall or chimney breast, opens up the back of the house, adds a storey or converts the loft, building control will expect calculations proving the new structure is safe. Our engineers prepare them alongside the architectural drawings, so the beams sit where the design needs them and nothing is redrawn later.
- Beams, lintels, columns, padstones and connections
- Foundations sized for the ground conditions and the loads on them
- Floor and roof design, including new floor joists for a loft conversion
- Timber sizes and steel layouts your builder can order from
- A full structural calculations report, prepared for submission under Building Regulations Part A
- Structural drawings: the engineer's notes, foundation plan and steel and timber layouts
- A design coordinated with the building regulation drawings
- The same engineer on your project until it is finished, answering you, your builder and building control
Structural design, step by step
Survey, or your existing drawings
We start from our own measured survey and proposed drawings, or from planning drawings you already have. Upload yours through the instant quote tool for a fixed written proposal, usually within a couple of working days.
Design and calculation
An in-house engineer designs each element and checks it against the architecture, in the same Durham office as our architects, so the structure is designed in from the start.
Calculations and drawings issued
Building regulation drawings and structural design are typically prepared together within 2–3 weeks. You receive the calculations report and structural drawings, ready for building control and for builders to price from.
Submission and support on site
If you would like, we submit and manage the building control application as your agent for a fixed admin fee, answer the surveyor's queries and support your builder's technical questions until the work is complete.
How our fees work
Every stage is a fixed fee, agreed in writing before it starts, and you only pay for the stages you use. The figure depends on the type of project, the size and type of your property and where it is: site visits outside our local postcode areas (NE, DH, DL, TS and SR) carry a travel charge, projects inside the M25 are priced higher, and listed buildings and conservation areas involve extra work. Council and building control fees are separate and paid directly to them.
- Site visit and measured survey
- Existing and proposed drawings
- Planning application, submitted as your agent, where required
- Building regulations drawings and specification
- Structural design and calculations
- Optional extras such as 3D visuals, party wall notices and site support
The instant quote tool prices every stage separately for your property in about two minutes, with no obligation. If you already have planning drawings, upload them and we send a fixed written proposal.
What building control and your builder need
Building control checks the structure under Part A of the Building Regulations. The surveyor wants calculations for every new structural element and drawings showing where each beam, padstone and foundation goes, sized for the ground conditions and for anything nearby: trees, drains and neighbouring structures. Your builder needs the same set: the steel and timber layouts and engineer's notes tell them what to order and how it fits, so quotes are like-for-like.
Where we manage the application we act as your agent: we submit it, answer the surveyor's queries about the design and, on most projects, fulfil the Principal Designer duties under the CDM Regulations. Your builder arranges the site inspections as work reaches each stage, and the council or inspector issues the completion certificate once it is finished and approved. Keep it safe: without it a future sale or remortgage can be held up.
Real structural packages
Our example project page shows real, anonymised structural packages: a first-floor extension with garage conversion, and a house extension with internal remodelling. Each shows the engineer's notes, foundation plan and steel and timber layouts, backed by calculations lodged with building control. See the example structural drawings.
Structural engineering, answered
Do I need a structural engineer for my extension?
If your project removes or alters load-bearing structure, a wall, chimney breast, or anything supporting the floors or roof, building control will expect structural calculations. We confirm what is needed before you commit to anything.
Can you work from another architect's drawings?
Yes. We can prepare structural calculations from our own planning drawings or from drawings produced by a third party. Upload them through the instant quote tool and we send a fixed written proposal, usually within a couple of working days.
What does the structural design include?
A full package of structural design for foundations, beams, timber sizes, floor design and roof design, with an accompanying calculations report. The drawings include the engineer's notes, a foundation plan and the steel and timber layouts your builder works from.
How long does structural design take?
Building regulation drawings and structural design are typically prepared within 2–3 weeks, usually in parallel. We confirm a tailored programme with your fee proposal.
How much does structural design cost?
Fees are fixed per element and agreed in writing before we start, so there are no surprises. They depend on the project, your property and its location. The instant quote tool shows the exact figure for your home in about two minutes, and if you already have planning drawings you can upload them for a fixed written proposal.
Who does the structural design?
Our own in-house structural engineers in Durham, working in the same office as our architects. Our Technical Director is a professional member of the Engineering Council and a technical member of the ICE, and all of our designs are insured for £1m.
Do you cover my area?
Yes. We work with clients across the whole of the UK from our Durham office. Outside the NE, DH, DL, TS and SR postcode areas the site visit carries a travel charge, which the instant quote includes automatically.
Read more before you start
Ready to get started?
Tell us about your project and we'll talk you through the right stages, the likely route and what to expect.