Structural Engineer Costs

How much is a structural engineer in 2025?

Just want a quick answer? On average, common UK household jobs that require a structural engineer cost between £300 and £500.

There's more to it than this, though. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, including typical structural engineer costs for different types of jobs, how long common structural engineering jobs take, and much more!

Would you like a clearer idea of what to expect?

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Scroll down to find our full guide to structural engineer costs!

How Much Does a Structural Engineer Cost?

Structural engineers usually charge either an hourly rate, a daily rate or a fixed fee for a particular job, and the total you pay will depend on how much design and site work is involved.

Typical Hourly and Daily Rates

For smaller domestic projects, many structural engineers charge an hourly rate, which is often around £75 to £125 per hour, with higher rates in London and the South East or for more complex work.

On larger jobs it is more common to work to a day rate, which is typically around £400 to £600 per day, and this will cover time spent on site along with calculations and drawings back in the office.

Average Structural Engineer Costs by Job

Most household projects are priced on a fixed fee, based on the size and complexity of the job, so it helps to look at typical ranges for the most common types of work.

The figures in this table are based on real jobs carried out by tradespeople registered on MyJobQuote, and typical fees quoted by structural engineers, but your exact cost will depend on your property and the complexity of the work.

Use these ranges to set a rough budget, then compare a few quotes from local engineers to find a price that feels fair for your specific project.

How Much Does a Structural Engineer Inspection or Report Cost?

Your first contact with a structural engineer will likely be for a one off inspection and basic report on a specific issue, for example, cracks in a wall, a sagging roof or checking whether a wall is load bearing.

For a straightforward domestic inspection and short written report on a single issue, you can often expect to pay somewhere between £300 to £500, which usually covers the site visit, basic checks and a summary of the engineer’s findings and recommendations.

More detailed structural reports, for example where there are widespread cracks, suspected subsidence or several areas of concern to investigate, will cost more because they take longer on site and require a more in depth written report. These can easily run from £500 to £1,500 or more, depending on the size of the property and the complexity of the problem.

These fees are for the engineer’s professional time only and do not include the cost of any remedial work, such as repairing cracks, improving drainage or underpinning a house if the foundations are found to be inadequate.

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Additional Costs of a Structural Engineer

In many cases, your structural engineer’s fee is only one part of the overall budget. Their report or calculations may also highlight extra work that needs doing, such as underpinning, new foundations or installing steel beams, along with legal costs like party wall surveyors and building control fees.

The sections below outline the most common types of work a structural engineer helps with, as well as the additional structural and legal costs that often sit alongside their fees.

Additional Structural Work

If building regulations are not met during a renovation, then you incur additional construction costs to ensure the changes meet building regulations.

This could range from £300 for minor jobs or up to £5,000 for new property construction.

If you fail to make the changes or restore the property to its original state, then you could end up paying a fine of £5,000 or more.

Installing an RSJ

If removing any load-bearing walls, you may have hired a structural engineer to map out where the rolled-steel joist should be placed.

Typically to install an RSJ costs between £1,500 to £2,500.

Underpinning a House

One of the most important duties of a structural engineer is checking whether the ground is level enough to ensure they are able to support any new changes. If the report they produce shows evidence of inadequate foundations, you may have to pay to underpin your house.

The cost of underpinning a house in the UK can range from £4,800 to underpin a single wall in a terrace home with resin injector and up to £36,400 to underpin a detached house with a mini-piling method.

Foundations

If there are any additional issues with your foundations that are identified in a structural engineer report, then you may need to install new foundations to provide stability.

The cost of foundations ranges from £4,000 to £12,000 depending on the type of foundations you need — although this may be lower if you decide to DIY.

Party Wall Surveyor

In the event the work you wish to carry out involves a shared wall, then this will require legal fees and surveyor costs of around £700 to £1,500.

Although if the agreement is for something relatively simple, then a party wall surveyor has the potential of being considerably less.

Reinforcement

Reinforcement, or Retrofitting, involves strengthening an existing structure if the likes of beams or flooring isn't of a suitable standard.

This is sometimes charged per beam, at a labour cost of around £60 to £100, not including materials.

Additional Consultations and Revisions

Additional meetings or the drawing of revisions with the structural engineer can also come at an additional cost, around £90 to £120 per hour, depending on the company and individual circumstances.

What is a Structural Engineer?

A structural engineer is a type of qualified civil engineer who specialises in the strength and stability of buildings. Their main job is to make sure that any new structure or alteration will be safe, stable and compliant with building regulations.

In practice, a structural engineer will inspect existing structures, identify any weaknesses or defects, and then prepare reports, structural calculations and drawings that set out how the work should be carried out. They can also help you obtain building regulations approval by providing the technical information that building control needs.

Homeowners commonly hire structural engineers for jobs such as:

• House extensions and garage conversions
• Loft conversions and dormer additions
• Removing or altering internal load bearing walls
• Removing a chimney breast or chimney stack
• Checking a roof before fitting solar panels
• Making new openings for doors and windows in structural walls
• Investigating cracks, subsidence or sagging floors and ceilings

How Is a Structural Engineer Different From an Architect?

Architects focus on how a space looks and works for you, including the layout, natural light and overall design of the project. A structural engineer focuses on how that design will actually stand up, using calculations to size beams, columns, foundations and other structural elements so the building is safe.

For many projects you will need both. The architect will usually develop the design and plans, and the structural engineer will then check which parts of the design are structural and provide the calculations and details required for building control and for your builder.

As a rough guide, you will typically speak to an architect first if you want help with ideas, layouts and planning permission, and you will bring in a structural engineer whenever the work affects load bearing walls, the roof structure, the foundations or when you have concerns about movement or cracks in your home.

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Factors That Impact Structural Engineer Costs

The cost of hiring a structural engineer is affected by several factors, including the type of job, where your property is, how easy it is to access, how experienced the engineer is and how quickly you need the work done.

Type of Job

Structural engineers usually charge an hourly or daily rate, but most domestic projects are quoted as a fixed fee based on how much design work and how many site visits are needed.

Smaller jobs, such as checking a single load bearing wall, advising on a chimney breast removal or modifying one or two openings for doors and windows, often fall at the lower end of the price ranges in the table above.

Larger or more complex projects, such as full loft conversions, house extensions or the structural design for a new build, cost more because they need more calculations, drawings and coordination with your architect and builder.

If you are unsure how a structural engineer will price your project, it is worth giving as much detail as you can when you first ask for quotes, including any drawings, photos and planning information you already have.

Location of Property

Where you live has a big impact on price, because structural engineers in London and the South East typically charge higher hourly and daily rates than those in other parts of the UK.

You may also pay more if the engineer has to travel a long way to site, which is why it often makes sense to use a local structural engineer where possible.

These regional figures are guide prices only, but they show how much rates can vary and why it pays to compare a few local quotes.

Ease of Access

Structural engineers may put their prices up if there is restricted access to a property. For instance, if a roof survey is conducted on a steep roof, they may charge extra, as it will take longer to inspect.

Third-Party Consultation

If the engineer needs to liaise with the likes of architects, builders, or local authorities, this may take additional time and could be billed separately for each case.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Professionals who are Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (MICE) or a Member of the Institution of Structural Engineers (MIStructE) will potentially charge higher fees.

Both are protected titles in the UK and are well-respected internationally, as such often result in higher fees due to their expertise and any liability cover needed.

Urgency of the Job

In some cases you may need a structural engineer to attend a job with more urgency than others, even to the extent of a same-day visit if it's an emergency.

As with many tradesmen, a last-minute turnaround or visit outside of normal working hours can come at a minimum charge or additional fee.

What's Involved in Structural Engineering?

On a typical home project, a structural engineer will review your plans, visit the property where needed, check how loads are carried through the building and then produce the calculations and drawings that your builder and building control need to carry out the work safely.

The examples below show what a structural engineer actually does on the most common types of household jobs.

What Does a Structural Engineer Do for an Extension?

Before work starts on a house extension, a structural engineer (charging £400 - £2,000) will usually visit the property to inspect the existing walls, floors, roof and foundations, as well as review your architect’s drawings.

They will then design any new foundations, structural walls, steel beams, lintels and floor or roof structures, and provide structural drawings and calculations so your builder knows exactly what to install and building control can sign the extension off.

What Does a Structural Engineer Do When Removing a Chimney Breast?

If you are removing a chimney breast, a structural engineer will check how the chimney is currently supported and whether it is helping to carry loads from the floors or roof above (typically costing £100 - £500).

They will usually specify one or more steel beams or other supports to carry any remaining load once the chimney breast has been taken out, and provide calculations and connection details so the removal is done safely and in line with building regulations.

What Does a Structural Engineer Do for a Loft Conversion?

For a loft conversion, the structural engineer will inspect the existing roof and ceiling structure, measure the spans and loads, and review the proposed layout with any dormers or roof changes.

Fees usually range from £600 to £1,800. They will design new floor joists, steel beams, purlins and trimmers where needed, and then provide calculations and drawings that show exactly how the new loft floor and altered roof should be built so that it can safely support people, furniture, roof loads and insulation.

What Does a Structural Engineer Check Before Fitting Solar Panels?

If you want to install solar panels, a structural engineer will typically assess the roof structure and coverings to confirm they can support the extra weight of the panels and the forces from wind uplift.

For a fee of around £150 - £500, they will check the size and condition of rafters or trusses, look at how the roof is fixed back to the walls, and advise whether any strengthening or specific mounting systems are needed before the solar panels are fitted.

When Do You Need a Structural Engineer for Doors and Windows?

When you change a window to a door, widen an opening or add new windows in a structural wall, a structural engineer should check whether the wall is load-bearing and how the loads will be supported after the opening is altered.

They will specify the correct size and type of lintel or steel beam, and provide calculations and details so the builder can form the new opening safely and building control can approve the work.

What Does a Structural Engineer Do When You Are Building a New House?

For a new build, such as building a new house, the structural engineer will design the main structure of the home, including foundations, load-bearing walls, columns, beams, floors and the roof.

They will work alongside your architect to make sure the design can be built safely and efficiently, and will produce a full set of structural drawings and calculations that your builder, warranty provider and building control can rely on.

When Do You Need a Structural Engineer for Internal Walls?

If you are removing internal walls to create a more open plan layout, a structural engineer will first confirm which walls are load-bearing and which are simply partitions (expect to pay £300 - £500).

For any load-bearing walls that are removed or cut back, they will design the rolled steel joists or other supports that take over the load, and set out how these should be supported on new or existing foundations.

How Can a Structural Engineer Help With Cracks and Movement?

If you notice cracks in walls, sloping floors or doors and windows that start to stick, a structural engineer can investigate whether there is a structural problem such as subsidence, inadequate foundations or overloaded beams.

After inspecting the property, they will produce a report explaining what is causing the issue and may recommend remedial work such as reinforcing elements, improving drainage or underpinning a house if the foundations have moved.

Timescales for Structural Engineer Work

Structural engineers tend to charge an hourly or daily fee, so the time needed for site visits, calculations and drawings will have a direct effect on the total cost you pay.

The timescale will depend on the size and complexity of the project, how easy it is to access the parts of the property that need checking and how much coordination is required with your architect, builder and building control.

Many simple domestic jobs, such as checking a single load-bearing wall or carrying out a basic roof survey, can often be inspected in just a few hours, with calculations and drawings usually turned around within a few working days once all the information is available.

More involved projects, such as full loft conversions, extensions or the structural design for a new house, can take from several days to a few weeks for all visits, calculations, drawings and revisions, especially if the engineer needs to wait for updated plans or attend extra site meetings.

The table below sets out typical on site timescales for common types of structural engineering work, which can help you plan when to book your engineer and when to line up builders and other trades.

If you are working to a tight deadline, it is worth asking potential structural engineers how quickly they can visit the property and how long they expect it to take to deliver the finished calculations and drawings for your specific project.

Providing clear information up front, such as existing drawings, photos and any planning details, can help reduce delays and makes it easier for the engineer to give you a realistic timescale from the start.

Cost of Building Regulations and Planning Permission

When building or changing the structure of a property, you need to consider building regulations and planning permission to ensure any structural changes are safe and compliant.

To ensure you meet building regulations and planning permission, you may want to consider hiring a structural engineer who will ensure that any plans and designs are within the limits of permitted development. And if not, they can help you calculate the costs of getting planning permission.

While it is not a legal requirement to hire a structural engineer, it is worthwhile as it can limit problems from occurring during, and after, the building process.

The role of a structural engineer is to inspect the area where you want to make changes and produce a report that will point out any issues.

Once the inspection is complete, they will then map out measurement and design ideas which meet the current regulations to ensure your property is safe and secure.

If you do not hire a structural engineer to conduct an inspection report, then this could result in expensive repairs later down the line, as you may end up building an extension, removing a wall, or having to pay to replace doors or windows if they are unsafe.

Checklist: Hiring a Structural Engineer

Hiring a structural engineer is different from hiring a builder or other trade. You are paying for professional design advice, calculations and liability, not just manual labour, so it is important to choose the right person for your project.

• Check qualifications: Ask about their degree, and whether they are a member of a recognised professional body such as the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) or the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
• Ask about chartered status: For more complex or higher risk projects, you may want a chartered engineer, but for many straightforward domestic jobs an experienced non-chartered engineer who works under a chartered supervisor can still be suitable.
• Confirm experience with similar jobs: Make sure they regularly work on residential projects like yours, for example loft conversions, extensions or removing load bearing walls, rather than only large commercial or industrial schemes.
• Verify insurance: Check that they hold current Professional Indemnity Insurance and Public Liability Insurance, and ask for confirmation of the cover level if you are planning a major project.
• Clarify what is included in the fee: Ask whether the quote covers site visits, structural calculations, drawings, responding to building control queries and any revisions if your architect’s plans change.
• Check building control and local knowledge: It helps if they are familiar with your local building control requirements and have worked on similar properties in your area.
• Request examples or reviews: Ask to see sample drawings or reports from previous jobs and look for reviews or recommendations from architects, builders or past clients.
• Agree timescales and communication: Before you commit, confirm how quickly they can visit, when you can expect the calculations and drawings, and how they prefer to communicate during the project.

FAQs

Sources

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/extensions/planning-permission
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14125196
https://mperryassociates.com/2022/11/16/why-you-need-a-structural-engineer-when-installing-solar-panels/
https://www.harveynormanarchitects.co.uk/articles/loft-conversion-guide-in-depth-information-on-how-to-successfully-tackle-a-loft-conversion
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/structural-engineer
https://thisisengineering.org.uk/careers/structural-engineer/
https://www.archisoup.com/architect-vs-engineer
https://www.londonstructuralrepairs.co.uk/structural-survey-benefits/
https://rd-engineering.co.uk/latest-news/how-structural-engineers-could-help-your-construction-project/
https://www.architectural-designers.co.uk/blog/what-is-a-structural-engineer-and-do-i-need-one