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Anybody can knock walls out of a building. But to deal with the Architectural and Structural matters properley and safely you need experience in investigating how the existing building works and developing the alterations.
A wall that is solid is not necessarily load bearing, and a wall that is stud is not necessarily non-load bearing.
If you are changing structural walls within your building you will also need to apply to your Local Authority for Building Regulation approval.
If you want to make alterations to your your building, whether it is appears to be a simple masonry building, a steel frame or a concrete frame you will eventually appoint a builder. You may also need a Chartered Structural Engineer to assist with the specification of member sizes and to ensure that your building remains safe.
If you are making large alterations by knocking down walls or building an extension, in the first instance you may be better appointing an Architectural Consultant.
An Architectural Consultant will help you with Planning drawings [if requried] and the Planning Application [as requried] and onwards will help you with the Building Regulation drawings and Building Regulation Application. In due course you may also need a Chartered Structural Engineer to assist with the specification of member sizes.
As experienced and professionally qualifed Chartered Structural Engineers we quickly identify economic and reasonably practical structural solutions and offer a complete package from initial discussions and developments with the Architect, Architectural Consultant, builder or Client / householder through to detailed design and drawings.
As Structural Engineers / Structural Consultants, our professional fees will depend on our involvement. Generally we will expect to be appointed on a time basis; in this way we can ensure that you receive the best level of service and attention.
Our fees will depend on whether we need to make site visits, the level of complexity involved in the proposals [ie associated padstone, wall and foundation matters which may require attention as a result of the proposals] and whether we are required to attend site meetings or make site visits during the site works.
As a "very" rough estimate - but depending on the nature and complexity of the project - our charges for the structural calculations are likely to be in the region of £100 + VAT [£117.5 inc VAT] per beam, but can fluctuate between £70 + VAT to £150 + VAT per beam; depending on the size of the project and the number of structural elements to consider; even in structural design there are economies of scale.
It may also be necessary for us to visit site to take note of any existing details before we can advise further. We would advise great caution about any 'engineer' who doesn't need visit site to properly understand the existing building.
For a more accurate fee proposal we would need a reasonable set of Architectural drawings or at least a meeting on site. While we can arrange to prepare drawings for you ourselves, or you may like to appoint a architectural consultant directly to prepare these for you. For a list of Architectural Consultants with whom we work regularly, please go to our Architectural page.
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