It is not uncommon for someone to be unsure about whether they need a Structural Engineer, or even what one does. This FAQ should answer some of the main questions – nonetheless, the best thing to do is contact me; if an engineer is not necessary, I’ll say so and signpost you to the right sort of person.
What does a Structural Engineer do?
I am informed that one should have a short description prepared of what one does as, when accosted at a party by someone we wish to impress, we has 9 seconds to get the message across. My line is that, if a building were a human body, you would use an Architect to design the sexy bits but you would need a Structural Engineer to design the muscles and the skeleton on to which the beauty is applied.
I spend a lot of time at parties alone!
In short a Structural Engineer designs all the parts of the building that make it stand up but are spectacularly unglamourous. I could go on but webspace is expensive and needed for other things. But please do ring for a more extensive lecture.
Do I need a Structural Engineer?
Probably.
Any alteration to any building that involves the removal of apparently spare pieces of timber, knocking holes through walls and floors or anything that involves a bit more than painting probably needs an input from a Structural Engineer.
Are you sure?
No. In order to be sure we need to have a conversation or, better still, a site visit.
How much does a Structural Engineer cost?
The initial site visit will usually come at a modest cost to cover the first hour. After that, there will be a fee, but that can only be determined after the initial visit and the cost of the initial visit will be deducted from the agreed fee. Occasionally the fees are expressed as a percentage, but more often than not it will be a lump sum agreed before any commitments are made.