Structural engineering is a branch of civil engineering that deals with the design, analysis, and construction of structures, for example a residential house and apartment, and buildings for commercial and public use, such as a hospital, hospice, or school. Structural engineers ensure that these structures are safe, stable, and capable of withstanding the loads and forces they will encounter during their lifetime.
We offer a range of structural engineering services, including:
✓ Structural design and analysis
✓ Structural Calculations
✓ Foundation design
✓ Structural inspections and assessments
✓ Drainage design
✓ SuDS assessments and checking service for post-installed drainage system.
✓ Value engineering and cost analysis
✓ Arrange specialist input, for example, Geotechnical assessments.
✓ Basement Impact Assessments
Computer-aided design (CAD) software plays a crucial role in structural engineering. It enables us to create detailed 2D and 3D models of structures, perform accurate calculations and simulations, analyse structural behaviour under different load conditions, and generate construction drawings and documentation. CAD software enhances efficiency and visualisation capabilities throughout the structural design process.
We use AutoCAD and Revit for drawings; and Tekla Tedds and Tekla Structural Designer to produce your design and calculations; and we can also provide hand drawings and calculations.
An architect will focus on the design, look and layout of a property; a structural engineer performs design checks, to ensure that the proposed works are structurally sound, and they make sure the building works well in practice. Structural engineers work alongside architects and contractors.
If you are planning an extension, loft conversion, full internal remodelling, refurbishment, or a new build then we would recommend that your hire an architect. If your project involves the removal of one or a few walls within your property, then you may only need a structural engineer. An architect can also assist with your building control application.
We would recommend that you obtain advice from your local council about your intended project.
A structural survey, also known as a structural inspection or a building inspection, is a detailed assessment of the structural integrity and condition of a building or structure. It is typically carried out by a qualified structural engineer or a professional surveyor with expertise in structural engineering. The purpose of a structural survey is to identify any defects, weaknesses, or potential issues that may affect the stability, safety, or durability of the building. It involves a thorough examination of the structural elements, such as the foundation, walls, floors, roofs, beams, columns, and other load-bearing components.
During a structural survey, the surveyor or engineer may use various techniques and tools to assess the building, including visual inspections, non-destructive testing methods, structural analysis, and monitoring equipment. They may also review the building’s construction plans, specifications, and maintenance records to gain a comprehensive understanding of its history and condition.
The findings of a structural survey are documented in a report, which includes a detailed assessment of the building’s structural condition, any identified defects or issues, recommendations for repair, and an overall assessment of its safety and integrity. This information helps property owners, buyers, or investors make informed decisions regarding the purchase, maintenance, or renovation of the building.
It is important to note that a structural survey is different from a standard home inspection. While a home inspection typically focuses on general building components and systems, a structural survey specifically concentrates on the structural elements and their condition.
If you wish to book a Structural Survey, please send an email to our office@whiteandlloyd.com and if available, any photographs of the area of concern.
If you are planning to make internal alterations, such as knocking down a chimney breast or a wall, or if you are planning to add a loft or an extension, you will need to involve a structural engineer in this process. Similarly, if you are changing the structure of a building in any way or if you would like to make changes to load-bearing walls or removing chimney breasts you will need accurate beam calculations to ensure the structural integrity of your building. This also applies to changes to floors, roofs, or foundations. The role of the structural engineer is to ensure that the structure and foundation of your building continues to be structurally sound.
If you are planning a new build, you will need the services of a structural engineer.
Our structural engineers hold degrees in civil or structural engineering and have extensive UK experience in the field. Additionally, they continually update their knowledge and skills to stay informed through Continuous Professional Development (CPD) both via internal and external training courses.
We have successfully been involved with a number residential and commercial projects, examples of our work can be found in the Structural Engineering Project section.
We provide consulting services during the construction phase. Our structural engineers collaborate with contractors, subcontractors, and construction teams to provide clarifications on design intent, address construction-related queries, and ensure that the design specifications are properly implemented. We offer construction administration support, including site visits, progress monitoring, quality control checks, and resolving any design-related issues that may arise.
We hold Professional Indemnity Insurance, along with Public and Employers Liability Insurance. If you wish to see a copy of our insurance schedule, please send an email to our office@whiteandlloyd.com and we will send a copy of our insurance details.
We will help with building control queries relating to the structural design and calculations of your project.
Please send details of your project (along with the existing and proposed architectural drawings if you have them available) to our office@whiteandlloyd.com and we will arrange for a fee proposal detailing the full structural engineering costs to be sent to you. Our fees will depend on the complexity of your project, as the structural engineering fees are based on time charge. Therefore, your fee will depend on how much time is required to create your drawings, design, and calculations.
When you are happy to proceed with the structural design fee we have proposed, the next step is to arrange a site visit and inspection.
It is good practice to carry out a site visit and inspection and collect as much information as possible about the project to provide the best possible design solution. It also helps avoid any unknowns that could lead to costly amendments further down the line.
We can make amendments and alterations, but these may be subject to an additional fee. Any extra charges will be advised before any changes are made.
A Party Wall Surveyor is a qualified professional who specialises in resolving and preventing any issues between homeowners and neighbours that arise under the ‘Party Wall etc. Act 1996’. This can involve any development involving; party walls (shared walls with neighbours), boundary walls, and excavations near neighbouring buildings. We have party wall surveyors that can assist with your project, please head to our Party Wall section where you find information and help.
A Quantity Surveyor can be a huge benefit to your project, helping with your design and financial controls and savings. For more information, please head to our Quantity Surveying section and to see how our experienced team can help and guide your project.
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A Quantity Surveyor will guide the design team towards a design that is affordable before selecting the most suitable method of appointing a contractor. During the project they will negotiate with the contractor and assess when and how much money is due. A Quantity Surveyor will ensure that you are never unnecessarily exposed to financial risk through the project and have the financial conversations with both the designer and contractor on your behalf. Quantity Surveyors often make excellent project managers, as there is a lot of overlap between the two roles.
A Quantity Surveyor can be employed from the outset of the project and works with the designer in producing a layout and specification which will be within the financial means of the client. A Quantity Surveyor will advise on the most suitable procurement process (how a builder is selected) and what contract would best protect the client. A Quantity Surveyor is a partner to the designer, helping steer the project in a direction that is feasible.
One of the overriding purposes of a Quantity Surveyor is ensure that the client gets Value for Money. This could be saving money or making sure that none is unnecessarily spent.
Before the Project Starts
This is achieved by using their knowledge and experience to ensure that the client does not overpay for their construction project. There are various ways of doing this, it may include writing a schedule of works (a list of tasks required to build the project with quantities for pricing), negotiating a cost plan with a contractor or using a pro-active approach to assess a Design and Build proposition.
During the Project
Quantity Surveyors carry out a variety of tasks through the build stage of a project, the most important of which are:
Valuations (assessments of what payment the builder is due); Cost Reports (an assessment of what the project will cost at completion at monthly intervals) and the Final Account Negotiations (negotiating costs for variations to the original project to come to a final agreed figure).
When the Quantity Surveyor has been included from the outset, all negotiations are based on the competitive rates used at the Tender Stage which ensures that the “suck air through the teeth” method of costing variations is avoided entirely. There should be no nasty surprises! It is this part of the process in which the Quantity Surveyor really earns their money.
The short answer is anyone who would like to ensure that they get value for money in their project and who would not like to concern themselves with the practical details of financial conversations during their project. The overall benefit of having this weight lifted from your shoulders is worth the cost of the service.
You should always ensure that your consultants are suitably experienced and qualified. We are members of the Chartered Associated of Building Engineers (CABE), a CIOB Chartered Consultancy and regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
This very much depends on the type of project, but fees are generally in the 1.8% to 3.5% range depending on the type, complexity, and value of the project. Often using your Quantity Surveyor as a Project Manager will be much more affordable than using a separate person for each role.
Our Building Surveyors are seasoned professionals with extensive expertise in conducting thorough Defects Surveys and navigating the complexities of Contract Administration. We prioritise client communication, regulatory compliance, and delivering comprehensive solutions for your property needs.
Regularly inspect your property for signs such as cracks, dampness, uneven floors, or unusual odors. Promptly address any maintenance concerns and consider periodic Building Defects Surveys to catch issues in their early stages.
Planned and Preventative Maintenance involves scheduled inspections and repairs to address potential issues before they become major problems. It is crucial for property owners to enhance the property’s longevity, reduce repair costs, and maintain its value over time.
Challenges may include delays, budget overruns, and disputes between parties. Building Surveyors address these challenges through proactive communication, regular site inspections, and by facilitating resolution processes to keep the project on track.
Contract Administration is a role required by a JCT contract, used to help streamline construction projects by providing professional oversight, minimizing disputes, ensuring compliance with regulations, and facilitating effective communication among all parties involved.
Building Surveyors play a crucial role in Contract Administration by ensuring that construction projects adhere to legal and regulatory requirements. They oversee contracts, monitor progress, and ensure quality and safety standards are met.
Clear access to all areas of the property, providing relevant documentation on past renovations or repairs, and noting any specific concerns or issues you’ve observed will help the Building Surveyor conduct a thorough and efficient survey.
A Building Defects Survey can identify structural issues, dampness, roofing problems, subsidence, faulty plumbing or wiring, and other defects that may compromise the safety, functionality, or value of the property.
It is recommended to conduct a Building Defects Survey at key points in a property’s lifecycle, such as before purchasing, after significant renovations, or if signs of issues arise. Regular surveys every 5-10 years can help prevent major problems and maintain the property’s overall condition
A Building Defects Survey is a comprehensive inspection conducted by qualified Building Surveyors to identify structural issues, safety concerns, and defects in a property. It is essential to ensure the safety, integrity, and value of the building, providing owners with insights into necessary repairs or maintenance.
Yes. The party wall notice must come from you as the building owner (or you can appoint a surveyor to serve notices on your behalf). There are three types of notice: a Section 1 notice covers building on the line of junction, a Section 3 notice covers works to the party structure and a Section 6 notice covers excavations. If you are unsure of which notice to serve, or what information should be included, you should speak to your party wall surveyor.
Our fees depend on the nature of the project, they range from £120.00 – £200.00 + VAT – this covers all adjoining owners affected by the work.
Yes. We will confirm land registry details for all adjoining owners affected by the work.
Either. We would usually send them direct to your neighbours, but happy to post to you if you would prefer to hand deliver.
Notices can be posted within 48 hours of an instruction to proceed.
We will only ever invoice for work we carry out. If your neighbour’s consent to the works, then we
would only invoice for the cost of preparing and sending the notices.
This is the survey of an adjoining property to record its condition before the work begins. It notes down any existing defects or damage with the intention of providing a clear starting point should there be any claims for damage as a result of the notifiable works.
A Schedule of Condition is not a requirement under the Act and there is no right to access to carry one out. Most party wall surveyors will carry out a survey wherever possible as a matter of good practice. Your neighbour should be aware that the schedule is there to protect both parties, and they may find it difficult to enforce a claim for damage if there is no record of the condition prior to the works.
If both parties are happy for a survey to be carried out, then we can prepare the Schedule of Condition on its own. This is a wise move and is becoming more popular. The cost is around £300-500 plus VAT.
It varies depending on the type of work. Prices start from £720 plus VAT.
Yes. Assuming the proposed work doesn’t change significantly from the drawings supplied, we will always provide a fixed fee to cover the Award and Schedule of Condition.
Yes. In normal circumstances the building owner carrying out the work is liable for all surveyors’ fees. Fees are usually written into the award, and they must be reasonable and justifiable. We will ensure this is the case.
Once surveyors are appointed the first action, they will take is to select a Third Surveyor. We will provide contact details for the Third Surveyor as all parties have a right to refer any matter to them at any stage. If the award is served and you feel something is fundamentally wrong with it, you may appeal it at the County Court within 14 days of its service. We will, of course, endeavour to resolve any issues directly if you contact us in the first instance.
This varies depending on the type of work and the quality of design information supplied with the notices. An Award for a basement project will generally take longer to prepare than an Award for a loft conversion. Surveyors are required to act effectively within 10 days of receiving a request to do act. We will ensure Awards are concluded as efficiently as possible and will keep you updated throughout the process.
Our surveyors are members of the Fellow of The Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors, a Fellow of The Chartered Association of Building Engineers and a member of the Pyramus & Thisbe Club. We are bound by their codes of conduct, and we operate to their guidance.
Your work is considered notifiable under the Party Wall etc. Act if it includes specific activities such as:
In these cases, it’s essential to notify your neighbour in writing about the proposed works, providing detailed plans and descriptions. This process allows the neighbour to agree to the works or raise any concerns, leading to the potential appointment of a party wall surveyor to resolve disputes.