We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Structural Engineer quote

We are drawing up plans for a small kitchen extension 3mx3m.
I am a bit shocked how much all the red tape is costing before we evan start on the building cost!
The guy doing the drawings is charging £600 which we have agreed to
He has recommended a structural engineer who will charge £85 for a visit and £85 for the calculations so £170 plus VAT
Does that sound like the going rate or should we shop around?
All that plus the planning and building regs fees is already well over £1000!:eek:

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 12,492 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    That sounds cheap
  • lin473
    lin473 Posts: 553 Forumite
    Really?
    Just for the calculations on one steel?
    Amazing!
  • that is very cheap
    i'd snap his hand off
    it must be a basic job
    i'd have estimated it at 250 at least
  • boom
    boom Posts: 50 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    I suppose it all depends on the complexity of what's involved...

    We were removing a supporting wall and fitting a steel beam and our structural engineer:

    - visited the house
    - inspected the wall to be removed
    - made a few notes
    - went away and did us a calculation to send to Building Control
    - told the builder which steel beam to buy (as per the calculation)

    and it cost us £100. To boot, he said he felt guilty charging us £100 because there wasn't much work involved - but he had a rule that he never charged less than £100.

    On that basis lin473 I think your quote looks a wee bit expensive - but if it's really complicated then maybe it's not too bad.
  • lin473
    lin473 Posts: 553 Forumite
    Mmm - I don't think there is anything complicated about it.
    It's currently the outside wall and is less than 3m wide 1.5m of which is window.
    No complications that I can think of.
    I think we may well go with the quote as there has been a mixed response - but it would be interesting to know what the hourly rate works out at.
    My OH would have to work nearly 3 days to earn that much!

    Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply!
  • Loobysaver
    Loobysaver Posts: 764 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    We're having a chimney breast removed and supported. The building inspector came out to have a look, he then went away and worked out the calculations for the steel for us. Looks like he has saved us some money then:beer:
  • boom
    boom Posts: 50 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Loobysaver wrote: »
    We're having a chimney breast removed and supported. The building inspector came out to have a look, he then went away and worked out the calculations for the steel for us. Looks like he has saved us some money then:beer:

    Beggars belief! Also I pressed "thanks" instead of "quote" so you've got an extra thanks Loobysaver!
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.4K Life & Family
  • 258.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.