Structural Engineer

Jones01

Good Morning,

We're currently planning an extension for the back of our house and a loft conversion. The architect has supplied a quote from a structural engineer to calculate steel beams, ridge beams, rafters and trimmers to ground floor and second floor roof designs, proposed floor joists and to check existing attic floor joists are structurally suitable.

The quote comes in at £1200, does this sound reasonable? Another question I have is if we need this info now? We won't be building for another couple of years (to save a bit more), so could we instruct a Structural Engineer at time of build instead of paying upfront now?

Many Thanks

Mistermeaner

I paid 600 quid for what sounds similar: 2 storey rear extension and loft conversion

Structure engineer was engaged through architect when she was doing drawings prior to submitting for planning approval

Jones01

Thanks for the info, that seems to be a hell of a difference in price. I presume I can instruct my own engineer and don't have to use the one suggested by the architect? Anyone else done this? Do they get in touch with the architect for access to plans etc?

System

You can always instruct your own engineer yes, and/or you can ask the architect if they have any others they can tender the work to - I always get three quotes from engineers that I know and have worked with before for clients, that way they can see they are getting value for money.
The engineer will take the architects plan and then overmark them or do their own plans showing the structural information (your architect will then coordinate that information back into their drawings)
There's nothing going to change in the existing structure over the next few years so there's not any disadvantage of getting the engineer in now, it will also allow you to get the works properly costed and reduce the risk of any unknowns costs at the time of the build (it would also allow you get the correct finance/savings together before starting...) bear in mind that if you get planning permission there is a date on that which states when the work must have started.
Are you somewhere in England?

Jones01

Great, thanks very much for that. I'm based in Wales. We have 5 years to start the work so the plan is to do the loft conversion first and then do the extension when we can afford it at a later date (which I understand won't have a time limit as we would have already done the loft which counts as starting the work - both the loft and extension are on the same planning application)

I'll go back to ask my architect if they can get a couple more quotes from engineers