What is a Structural Surveyor?

A structural engineer or structural surveyor specialises in the structural integrity of buildings, construction methods and building materials. Their knowledge is indispensable if you want to alter your property's structure.

They can determine a building's strength, durability and safety, using specialist measurements. They can identify and investigate problems like structural movement, and tell you what's required to fix it. They can calculate if, and how, you can carry out a home improvement project, like building an extension or removing a chimney breast, where the integral strength of the property will be altered.

This knowledge can include the recommendation to use particular building materials and safety is always foremost in their calculations. They should all carry professional indemnity insurance to practise, but as this is (strangely) not a legal requirement, you should always check this before using one.

Ever wondered if you should buy a house with gable straps?

This article looks at the following:

1
When do I need a structural surveyor?
2
What professional bodies regulate them?
3
What does a structural surveyor do?
4
What are structural engineer costs for various projects?

1
When do I need a structural engineer?

There are a number of renovation projects for which you would hire one. These include:

• Building an extension
• Removing a chimney breast
• Removing or modifying internal walls, including load bearing walls
• Loft conversions
• Fitting solar panels
• Modifying doors and windows
• Underpinning floors

You might also hire a structural surveyor services for the following:

• Structural inspections

If there is a problem with the structure of your property – from signs of subsidence such as movement or cracking walls or sagging ceilings or roofline – you may need an inspection.

When you hire a RICS chartered building surveyor to carry out a home buyers survey on a property you're looking to buy, they might identify structural issues and advise you to have a more detailed investigation of the issue from a structural engineer. This often occurs when your surveyor has highlighted suspicions of subsidence.

You might also want to hire one directly if you notice cracks or other causes of concern in your property and you want an expert to assess the damage, identifying possible causes and treatment.

• Expert Witness services

Should you find yourself in a disagreement with another party over a structural matter related to your home, a structural engineer can provide an unbiased view, in the form of an independent report and advice on your options. If necessary they can follow this right through to a court appearance. Ending up in court, however, is far from ideal, particularly because of the potential expenses involved, but an expert witness' input earlier on can often prevent this outcome.

Our structural surveyors can provide structural engineer surveys (including for subsidence) and expert witness services.

2
What professional bodies regulate them?

The main two professional organisations are:

• The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), and
• The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)

3
What does a structural engineer do?

Depending on the job you have in mind, they will ask for an initial brief regarding your project and for you to provide any necessary background information. This might include, for example, sending them the home buyers survey which flagged up suspicions of subsidence.

They will then carry out a site visit and inspection. In the case of checking for subsidence, this differs from a home buyers survey inspection in that it is intrusive; floorboards may be lifted for example.

For a home improvement project such as a loft conversion, the engineer takes a series of measurements which they will use in their calculations and accurate drawings.

If your project involves building work, ultimately you end up with a good set of drawings, schedules and specifications which building contractors can then use to realise your project accurately, using appropriate materials and according to prevailing building control standards. They may also be able to suggest an appropriate contractor for the job if required.

4

Structural engineer costs

This is highly variable as it depends on the type and scale of project and your location in the UK. However, you can expect a structural engineer to charge perhaps £600 - £1000 (incl. VAT) for any project which involves a site visit, the production of calculations, plans and drawings and for these to be compliant with building regulations.

Naturally the full cost actually realising a project like a rear extension is likely to be several times more than this when you include contractor costs (material and labour).

However you can rest assured that hiring an experienced structural engineer is likely to result in better execution of the project, much better value for money overall (mistakes after all are costly and possibly very dangerous) and legal compliance (which is advantageous not only from a safety perspective but also in removing the possibility of being fined further down the line by your local authority).