We follow the Part A Approved Document of the Building Regulations, several standards and good practice guidance documents to make the design suitable to the project in hand. The most important matter for a structural Engineer and the number one priority is make sure the building is safe for occupancy.
When is a Structural Engineer needed?
When making any structural improvements or alterations to a building that will involve the removing or alteration of the internal or external layout. This will include the removal of walls, chimney breasts and stacks, the addition of new walls and roofs and Loft space conversions. When there are to be extensions at the rear, front or sides, and when adding another one or two storeys. If a property is in a poor condition with cracks, subsidence, or major damp prior to purchase. As a rule, anything which changes the structure of the property will need building control approval and to obtain this, technical information from a structural engineer is required.
What will the Structural Engineer do?
Draw up and provide detailed drawings on a design that have been passed by an Architect prior to the commencement of the works. Planning Permission may need to be granted and the Local Planning Department will need sight of the architect’s drawings for approval. The drawings will also need to go to the Building Control Department in the Local Council to ensure that the future building works comply with current Building Regulations. Once the drawings are assessed and approved permission is granted and the works can proceed, the drawings are handed over to the Building Contractor.
Whether or not you’ll need a structural engineer for your renovation will depend upon the nature of the project.
Construction works which often require the services of a structural engineer include:
- Building a new extension; either to the side or rear, one or two storeys.
- Modifying doors and windows openings though masonry walls.
- Loft conversions/dormers.
- Cracking in masonry or concrete walls.
- Removing or modifying internal walls.
- Underpinning the foundations of existing walls.
- Removing a chimney breast.
- Party Wall Agreements.
- Bespoke design structures.
- Basement Design.
- General extensions for increased bedrooms/living space
- Garage conversion and knock-through works.
- New build houses.
- Regularisation of building works without building regulations approval.
- Cracking in masonry or concrete walls and settlement.
- Building near trees.
- Signs of water ingress that may have damaged other parts of the structure of the building.