Structural Engineer fees?

mollymunchkin

All sorted now thanks.

ben500

Fees can vary phenominally throughout the country, I've seen charges of £300 - £1500 for the same job, sorry I know that's not a lot of help but one message you should get is SHOP AROUND, call and request quotes for a survey.

mollymunchkin

Cheers Ben. I'm in West Wales, if that helps.

ben500

mollymunchkin wrote: »

Cheers Ben. I'm in West Wales, if that helps.

I'd say around £450 - £600 but you may well get it a lot cheaper if you can find a one man band type of set up.

HugoSP

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: Stop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Now that's got your attention:rotfl:

If you go to an RSJ or I beam supplier they may be able to do this for you free. There are a few around me that quoted me £100 plus vat for a lintle and offered to supply calcs for building regs to prove it. I priced this up for a job I was asked to quote for.

ben500

There you go follow Hugo's advice and save the arm and leg for a rainy day in Georgia.

IanB_4

It was with interest that I recently received a copy of 2007 edition of Engineers Fees : A survey of the Fees Charged by Consulting Civil & Structural Engineers. It sets out average fees for lead consultant and non lead consultant activities against various project types, total construction costs and provides indices for each part of the country.

In the past this publication tended to focus on project costs at £1m and above but the 2007 edition has some interesting graphs for domestic buildings including house extensions.

For example House extensions with total costs are charged at the following:-

a small extension costing £16k attracts Structural engineering fees (non lead consultant)of 6% or £960

£50k : (non lead consultant)4.6% or £2300

£71K : (non lead consultant)3.7% or £2627

130K : (non lead consultant)3.0% or £3900

200k : (non lead consultant)2.35% or £4700

(note these are 2006 Fees)

A quick search of the internet did not reveal much information on the level of Structural engineering fees for this type of projrct and raises the question. How are clients, particularly first time or infrequent clients, supposed to judge the level of fees being proposed?

I would suggest, that the fee levels above represent a realistic level of fee and clients should be aware of these levels as a starting point. They are calculated median values. This should provide a platform for clients and their engineers to discuss fee levels for particular projects based on project costs.


A quick rule of thumb for single dwelling poject costs -allow £900 per square meter of floor + or - £150/m2 depending on spec and configuration.


eg medium size house 140m2 build cost £126k + or - £21K

For very small projects appoint an engineer on a time basis, it builds trust and will keep your costs down - agree a max time say 4hours @ £50 to £75/hr.

maryk_3

Hi there

I am married to a structural engineer and was amazed to read that someone has actually got a copy of the 2007 recommended fees that should be charged. I have never seen this guide but I do think you have got hold of a copy of ACE Association of Consulting Engineers list which is a very exclusive orgainisation which most humble structural engineers cannot afford to join, it usually concerns itself with massive building projects not small domestic work. I dont know any well off structural engineers who work for themselves as my husband does, do you? If you do they would probably be part of a much larger ogainisation taking huge risks!. Most structural engineers are there to help you, they take the risk and use years of training and experience to ensure a safe design, not sure that RSJ's manufacturers are singing from the same hymm sheet?

Thank you

andywc

Hi there

Thanks for the discussions... I think that maybe the chap was referring to publicactions by

www dot feesbureau dot co dot uk / ef.html

sorry i have to spell that out.. but apparently as a new user i'm now allowed to post with links... sigh

although we're now on the 2009 edition of course... which as a consulting structural engineer running my own practice I've just gone and bought...

i'm sure it will be interesting reading!!

andrew

Andrew Cartlidge
Rivergate Consultants Ltd

smeatho

Hi bit late I know. But I'm a chartered structural engineer (MIStructE).
For a single RSJ/steel beam in a domestic situation we would typically charge approx. £150 + VAT for building regulations calculations and a general arrangement drawing with sizes for the beam and any bearing details. Add £60 + VAT for another beam.
This is based on all necessary information being provided to us by Architects drawing or similar. Obviously visiting the house to measure up would incur extra costs.
Kind regards
Ian

Carbsale2

Hi Smeatho
I'm new to this forum and I just saw your post. I am about to start work on a single storey rear extension to my house and I'm looking for a structural engineer. I have architects drawings and according to according to him I need one steel and 2 steel support connections. I live in Twickenham, SW London. If you're interested, how is the best way to contact you? - Thanks and regards,

Carbsale2