Structural engineers...

[Screech20]

Hey guys,

I'm currently looking for a structural engineer to come out to discuss the removal of 2 internal walls and draw up and calculate as required for building regs.

I've spent the last 24hrs emailing all the local ones, but they don't seem to come out without a payment!

I thought it would be like any other trade, where I could get 2 or 3 round for a quote and decide from there.. But no!
They are all asking if I've got any previous drawings of the property so they can get an idea of what they're looking at, but surely they're just better off coming out to see it?!
Is this normal practice?


Cheers

 

[^woody^]

Yes, they are like lawyers when it comes to charging.

Everything is chargeable right from when they put the phone down after you have accepted their estimate. Hourly rate, £120 upwards plus VAT, plus milage and disbursements.

 

[Screech20]

Oh great! I was hoping to get a few quotes before deciding.
So looks like I'll just have to pick one and just hope it doesn't cost the earth!

Cheers

 

[Nakajo]

Just send them a couple of drawings.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Not all will need to visit, some will insist though (and those that do I do not bother with) provided you can send them everything they need. So if you can send them a sketches of the existing layouts, confirm as far as you can what and is not loadbearing and what the walls are made and maybe a couple of pics then a costly site visit can be avoided. If you can’t send them that kind of info they will have no choice but to visit to establish things for themselves. I (or my clients) pay £75/hour + VAT for the guy I use and crappy little domestic jobs like this (no offence) will likely be done when he has an hour or two spare rather than sticking it at the tip of his list. Speaking with some local architectural technicians and seeing who they use can be useful. And ring don’t mess about with emailing.

 

[Screech20]

Thanks for the advice.

I have had a think regarding sending them pictures etc but to be honest, I'm quite worried about missing something out, so would rather they see it for themselves.
On top of that, I would like to discuss my options with them direct, as in my head I think we could do it without using beams- by replacing some joists and adding a ceiling binder. (One of the walls supports ceilings joists that stop then start, and the other the joists run straight past)
This is my first time for something like this, maybe next time I'll be confident to send them the details to get on with it.

Cheers

 

[tony1851]

I'm quite worried about missing something out, so would rather they see it for themselves.

As fmt said, most would be able to do the figures from a few simple line sketches, and pics of the exterior, without visiting.
Most houses are fairly standard in terms of loadings and spans, and the variety of steel beams used for domestic alterations is fairly limited. There is no need for the loadings to be worked out to the nth degree as any one particular type of beam can carry a wide range of loadings, depending on the span.

 

[^woody^]

A proper engineer would want to come out and not design something on the basis of a homeowner's sketch.

It's not all about loadings.

But first I'd actually want to know if I needed an engineer's calculations or design in the first place.

 

[tony1851]

A proper engineer would want to come out and not design something on the basis of a homeowner's sketch.

It's not all about loadings.

But first I'd actually want to know if I needed an engineer's calculations or design in the first place.

Have to disagree, there; in 90% of cases, loadings (and their application) are the most important factor followed -in some cases- by considerations of overall stability. Rough sketch plans and a few pics - together with a phone call to check one or two points if necessary, are usually all that is needed.
None of mine have fallen down (yet).

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

A proper engineer would want to come out and not design something on the basis of a homeowner's sketch.

It's not all about loadings.

But first I'd actually want to know if I needed an engineer's calculations or design in the first place.

My eng is top notch. He's never had a to do a site visit for one of my jobs. But agree he may be nervous of a naive homeowner providing the info.

 

[^woody^]

Have to disagree

Hmmm. Does the OP want the beam in the ceiling or under it. Can he even have it in the ceiling? Will the engineer know this from his office? Will the OP even know he could have it?

What about the floor or foundation loading.

Is it a structural wall?

Any fire implications of opening the rooms up?

Do the council pre-approve beams anyway, and so don't need calculations?

Can a standard lintel be used?

Is the PW Act involved, or can this be designed out?

The thing is, a structural engineer will more often than not just design a beam and not give anything else a second thought.

 

[^woody^]

. He's never had a to do a site visit for one of my jobs.

That's completely different though isn't it

 

[tony1851]

Fire implications and PWA not really an SE's province?

 

[^woody^]

Fire implications and PWA not really an SE's province?

They should be.

The question asked [of whoever comes out] is not just "design me a beam" but "I want to remove these walls".

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Jeez that'd be a first, an SE interested in fire regs on a domestic!