Questions to ask your structural engineer before they start work on your extension

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Extensions are one of the best ways of gaining more space in a property without moving house. From modern kitchen diners to beautiful conservatories, there’s a lot that you can do to your home to make it practical and well-designed. But extensions are also great for expanding your business too.

Once you’ve decided on the kind of extension you’d like, it’s time to find reliable and professional building design consultants who can get things started. It’s important that you can trust the engineer you hire, as they’ll be responsible for completing the job to a high standard. A good way of ensuring they’re the right team or engineer for the job is to ask some important questions they start any work, as this will give a better idea about their experience and how to project will pan out.

So what are the most important questions you should ask a structural engineer? In this blog we explain just that, getting you clued up on everything you need to know. Read on to find out more.

What is a structural engineer?

When you’re making changes to your home or business premises, you need a structural engineer to complete the job. Building design consultants specialise in the safety, durability and strength of a building – all of which needs careful planning when extensions. It’s the job os structural engineers to decide where structural beams need to go, give advice on the foundation and more. They will usually work alongside your contractor to make your home safe. You are likely to need a structural engineer for the following jobs:

● Building an extension

● Loft conversions

● Removing or modifying walls

● Underpinning

Top questions to ask structural engineering companies

The best thing you can do is make a list of top questions to ask your structural engineer. Hiring someone without gathering more information can lead to problems further down the line especially when important details aren’t clarified or covered, but with a little preparation, you can get answers to the most important questions. 

How much experience do you have?

It’s important to understand how much experience your structural engineer has as this will make a big difference to the success of your project. Ask about their previous projects – have they worked on a similar extension? Is this the first extension of this kind that they’ve done? 

While many new companies will still complete great work, if you want a little more reassurance finding out more about their experience is a great question to ask. You can then find out more about their previous projects and check out the results – you may be able to find these details under the ‘testimonial’ section of their website. Also, ask about project-specific experience, where engineers may have a long list of qualifications, have they actually put them in to practice?

Who will be leading the project?

You’ll want to know who’s leading the project so you know exactly who to go to as your first port of call. Getting to know the team a little better will make you feel less out of the loop, plus, you need to feel comfortable with the engineers coming in and out of your home or property. 

Questions to ask about the built itself, including structural engineering costs

Now you know a little more about the engineers themselves, it’s time to ask about the build and what you can expect from it. Building and design consultants should be open and honest when it comes to answering these questions. Try and gather as much information as you can beforehand.

Here at Imperium Engineering, based in London and Kent, structural engineering is like second nature to us. We’ve worked on projects big and small, offering excellent services at affordable prices. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our specialist team are ready to help! Contact us today for more information.

What is the schedule and timeframe?

Having a good idea of the estimated timeframe of a project will help you keep track of everything. Whether you’re having an extension on our home or business premises, an estimated timescale is an important thing that you should know. 

What kind of issues could crop up?

Occasionally, problems can crop up in the middle of projects. An experienced engineer will be able to tell you about some of the issues they could come across throughout the project, so you don’t get any nasty surprises. Of course, it’s important to bear in mind that many issues are unforeseen and aren’t detected until the project has started. 

How much will the project cost?

Engineers should be upfront about cost. As a customer, you should know exactly what you’re paying for and when – all of which should be detailed in a written contract, not a verbal contract. It may be a good idea to speak to more than one structural engineer so you can compare quotes and evaluate what’s best. 

Could there be additional costs?

As mentioned, sometimes problems can crop during a build which results in additional costs such as more materials or additional services. Ask the structural engineer what they can do to keep a project within budget and find solutions to keep costs down without affecting the quality of work.

Tips for checking the building contract

The last step you will do before going ahead with a project is signing the building contract. Remember, this is a legal contract so always highlight any queries or concerns before you sign it. Read the contract when you’re feeling alert, like first thing in the morning as you might miss important information or small print. The contract should include:

● Details of the project i.e what’s being done, the service you’re being offered and the finished result

● How will payment work? Will you need to pay in instalments or monthly? 

● Information about contract termination

● Dispute resolution

● Specifications of materials

The contract is an important document, but it can be difficult to understand especially when it’s full of industry jargon. If you’re uncertain about anything have someone else look over the contract too and look at key definitions so you know exactly what’s being said. Ensure that you’re open with the engineer so you can make changes to the contract if needed.

How to find reliable structural engineering companies

With a little research, you can find great structural engineers for your project. As well as vetting potential engineers using the questions we’ve highlighted above, you can also filter your options by the way you start your search. You can find reliable engineers by:

● Searching on the Internet

● Asking for recommendations from others in the industry

● Look on trade websites

Imperium Engineering: Professional structural engineering in London

If you need a structural engineer for your project in London, Imperium Engineering can help. We specialise in all kinds of work, from big structural changes to minor projects, we have services to suit all needs. Our engineers have years of experience in the trade so you can rest assured that we offer high-quality services.

As well as structural engineering, we also work on scaffolding design, temporary works and project management. Ensure your project gets off to the best start, contact Imperium Engineering today for more information.