Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a concern about your property or are planning alterations, it is not always obvious whether you need a structural engineer or what happens next. Below, we’ve answered some of the questions homeowners and property buyers commonly ask about our services, appointments and how the process works.
About Our Services
Do I Need A Structural Engineer?
You may need a structural engineer if you are concerned about the structural condition of a property, planning alterations that affect its structure, or have been advised to obtain specialist structural advice by a surveyor, architect, builder or other property professional.
If you are unsure, explain the situation when you get in touch. We can help you understand whether structural engineering input is appropriate before you arrange unnecessary work.
What Can A Structural Engineer Help With?
We help homeowners and property buyers with a range of structural matters, including cracks and movement, structural inspections, beam calculations, load-bearing wall alterations, chimney removal, extensions, loft conversions and concerns raised within property surveys.
You can see an overview on our structural engineering services page.
What Is The Difference Between A Structural Engineer & A Building Surveyor?
A building surveyor typically considers the wider condition of a property, while a structural engineer specialises in its structure and how it supports loads.
For example, a building survey may identify cracking or movement and recommend that a structural engineer investigates the issue in more detail. If this has happened, our survey report review service can help establish the most appropriate next step.
Can You Help If I Am Not Sure What Service I Need?
Yes. You do not need to diagnose the problem yourself before contacting us.
Tell us what you have noticed, what you are planning or what another professional has told you. We can then help identify whether you need an inspection, calculations, a report review or another form of structural advice.
Our How Can I Help You? page also explains which services may be appropriate for common property concerns and projects.
Structural Inspections & Property Concerns
Should I Get Cracks In My Property Checked?
Not every crack indicates a serious structural problem. Cracking can occur for many reasons, and its significance depends on factors such as its location, pattern, size, age and whether it is changing.
If you are concerned, a structural inspection can help establish what may be causing the cracking and whether further action is required.
If you are unsure, explain the situation when you get in touch. We can help you understand whether structural engineering input is appropriate before you arrange unnecessary work.
Does A Crack Automatically Mean My Property Has Subsidence?
No. Cracks can develop for several reasons and do not automatically mean a property is suffering from subsidence.
The cause needs to be considered in the context of the building and the characteristics of the cracking. Where appropriate, an inspection can help determine whether there are signs of significant structural movement or another explanation.
You can see an overview on our structural engineering services page.
What Happens During A Structural Inspection?
We first establish what you are concerned about and then inspect the relevant parts of the property. The purpose is to assess the structural issue, explain the findings and advise whether any further investigation, repair or engineering work is required.
The exact scope will depend on the property and the concern being investigated.
Will You Tell Me If No Structural Work Is Needed?
Yes. Our role is to provide professional advice based on what the property actually requires.
If an inspection does not identify a need for significant structural work, we will explain that rather than recommending unnecessary engineering or repairs.
Structural Calculations & Property Alterations
Do I Need Structural Calculations To Remove A Load-Bearing Wall?
Yes, if a wall is load-bearing, suitable structural support will normally need to be designed before it is removed.
This often involves specifying a beam or other structural solution and preparing calculations for the proposed alteration. You can learn more about our structural beam calculations.
How Do I Know If A Wall Is Load-Bearing?
It is not always possible for a homeowner to determine this confidently just by looking at the wall.
Whether a wall is load-bearing depends on the structure of the property and what it supports. If you are planning to remove or alter a wall and are unsure, it should be assessed before work begins.
Can You Provide Calculations For A Steel Beam?
Can You Help With A Chimney Breast Removal?
Yes. Removing a chimney breast can affect the remaining structure, so the proposed alteration needs to be considered carefully and appropriate support designed where required.
We can provide structural engineering input for chimney removal projects and advise on the structural requirements.
Can You Help With Extensions & Loft Conversions?
Yes. We can provide structural engineering input for residential extensions and loft conversions where calculations or structural design are required.
Where an architect is involved, we can work with their drawings to provide the necessary structural input for the project.
Building Surveys & Buying A Property
My Building Survey Says I Need A Structural Engineer. What Should I Do?
Do not assume that the wording automatically means there is a serious structural problem.
Surveyors may recommend specialist structural advice when something falls outside the scope of their inspection or requires more detailed assessment. We can review the relevant findings and advise whether a property inspection or further investigation is appropriate.
Our survey report review service is designed specifically for this situation.
Can You Review A Level 2 HomeBuyer Report?
Yes. If a Level 2 survey has raised a structural concern, we can review the relevant information and help you understand what it means and what should happen next.
Depending on the issue, a property inspection may also be recommended.
Can You Review A Level 3 Building Survey?
Yes. We can review structural concerns highlighted within a Level 3 Building Survey and provide specialist engineering input where required.
The aim is to help you understand the significance of the issue rather than leaving you with an unclear recommendation to seek further advice.
Can You Inspect A Property Before I Buy It?
Yes. Where structural concerns need further investigation, a property inspection can be arranged to assess the relevant issues.
This can be particularly useful when a survey has raised concerns and you want more information before making decisions about the purchase.
Appointments, Reports & Turnaround Times
How Quickly Can You Visit My Property?
Home visits can often be arranged within 48 hours, depending on your location, the nature of the enquiry and current availability.
If timing is important, let us know when you get in touch so we can advise you of the earliest available appointment.
How Long Does It Take To Receive Calculations Or A Report?
Most projects have a turnaround of approximately 3 to 5 working days, depending on the scope of work and information required.
We will explain what is needed and the expected process for your particular project before work proceeds.
Will I Deal Directly With The Structural Engineer?
Yes. You will deal directly with James, a Chartered Structural Engineer, CEng MIStructE, rather than having your enquiry passed between different departments or account handlers.
This means you can discuss your property directly with the person providing the engineering advice.
Areas We Cover
Which Areas Do You Cover?
Our main service area includes Nottingham and surrounding locations across Nottinghamshire, with selected appointments also available in parts of Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
If you are unsure whether your property is covered, send us the postcode when you enquire and we can confirm availability.
Can You Help If My Property Is Outside Nottingham?
Yes, potentially. We cover a wider area beyond the city itself, including surrounding parts of Nottinghamshire and selected locations in neighbouring counties.
Availability depends on the property location and type of work required, so contact us with your postcode to check.
Do You Carry Out Home Visits?
Yes. We carry out home visits where an on-site assessment is required.
Whether a visit is necessary will depend on the nature of your enquiry. Some situations may first involve reviewing information you already have before deciding on the appropriate next step.
Can't Find The Answer You Need?
Every property and project is different, so there may not be a useful one-size-fits-all answer to your question.
If you are worried about something you have noticed, have received a survey you do not fully understand or are planning alterations and need to know what engineering input is required, get in touch.
You will be able to explain the situation directly and receive clear guidance on the most appropriate next step without having to work out the technical details yourself.
