Qualifications required for doing drawings and structural calculations for an extension

DevilDamo

tallac said:

So, if the building regulation application is being made via Full Plans, then that will provide reassurance as the structural calculations will be checked and anything that might be of concern will need to be corrected before approval.

However, if the application is done via Building Notice, then this won't provide the reassurance and incorrect calculations will not be picked up?

It’s always better to get a FP application submitted and approved. It also helps as and when you go out for prices, contractors are pricing more or less for the same thing while with a BN application, the contractors can do, quote and include what they like. Although BCO’s will check and approved the submitted FP application, it does not necessarily mean they’d pick up on each and every detail. A lot of the BCO’s I know and work with say it’s all very well for somebody to draw and spec something that appears to comply, but is the contractor going to follow that. This is why they tend to spend more time on site than in the office checking, commenting and approving drawings.

Even with a BN application, the calculations would still get checked/accepted although BCO’s will of course spend less time on those applications. They can also at any time request clarification or further information on drawings submitted via a BN application.

I don’t know anybody “yet” who have successfully sued Building Control for something that has gone wrong on site, either during or post project as a result of their negligence. BCO’s do have a lot of caveats because of this. Ultimately it does come down to the designer, engineer and contractor which is why having the re-assurances from all either in the form of contracts or insurance policies goes a long way.

tallac

But the Building Notice process is normal for experienced construction companies and with a decently qualified architect/structural engineer?

If an architect/structural engineer company exists that seems good (via recommendations). They provide indemnity insurance to cover the quality of their work but they are not registered to any professional bodies like Royal Institute of British Architects or Institution of Structural Engineers, would that be of concern?

Would you expect any competent architect/structural engineer to be registered to at least some professional body that can be verified?

DevilDamo

BN applications are commonly used for smaller projects and of which there is a competent builder who needs little, if any advice or guidance. They're used a lot for removal of internal walls, new windows/doors, non-exempt porches, etc... There are some works that cannot be dealt with via a BN, e.g. new houses and also where extensions involve Build Over Agreements.

An "Architect" is a chartered/qualified profession of which they would be members of the RIBA and ARB. The term Designer is probably better used as that would cover all professions from a CAD Technician up through to an Architect. I'm not sure how this works with a structural engineer.

You may expect it but it doesn't mean they would be. Me for example, my governing body requires me to have PI insurance in place as I offer services to clients.  For those who are not qualified/chartered, there is no real reason for them to need to. Similarly to builders... not only are registered with CIOB or other governing bodies but they're still instructed on various jobs. As are roofers, not only are registered with NFRC or other bodies but are still out there carrying out works.

It's not all about qualifications as even those that are can cause mistakes.

tallac

DevilDamo said:

BN applications are commonly used for smaller projects and of which there is a competent builder who needs little, if any advice or guidance. They're used a lot for removal of internal walls, new windows/doors, non-exempt porches, etc... There are some works that cannot be dealt with via a BN, e.g. new houses and also where extensions involve Build Over Agreements.

An "Architect" is a chartered/qualified profession of which they would be members of the RIBA and ARB. The term Designer is probably better used as that would cover all professions from a CAD Technician up through to an Architect. I'm not sure how this works with a structural engineer.

You may expect it but it doesn't mean they would be. Me for example, my governing body requires me to have PI insurance in place as I offer services to clients.  For those who are not qualified/chartered, there is no real reason for them to need to. Similarly to builders... not only are registered with CIOB or other governing bodies but they're still instructed on various jobs. As are roofers, not only are registered with NFRC or other bodies but are still out there carrying out works.

It's not all about qualifications as even those that are can cause mistakes.

Thank you for this information. It's extremely helpful. So before instructing an architect/structural engineer, what are reasonable checks that I should do to ensure they are reasonably covered and have credible backing?

I understand having a chartered status is not a clear indication either way. Is it reasonable to assume that having indemnity insurance is a must have? As a client, how do I check that they do actually have the insurance they say they do? What other precautions can I take to check they are a credible architect/structural engineer?

Thanks again

DevilDamo

I’ll let others take this over now as I just know my reply will open up more questions, like it did on another one of your threads

tallac

DevilDamo said:

I’ll let others take this over now as I just know my reply will open up more questions, like it did on another one of your threads

No problem, thank you for the information and your time.