{"id":54,"date":"2026-06-23T13:04:03","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T13:04:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sjfengineering.co.uk\/?page_id=54"},"modified":"2026-06-23T13:05:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T13:05:46","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sjfengineering.co.uk\/?page_id=54","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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FAQS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Answers to the questions we get asked most.\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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What is structural engineering? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Structural engineering is a branch of civil engineering focused on designing, analyzing, and ensuring the safety and stability of structures such as buildings, bridges, towers, and other infrastructure. Structural engineers make sure that structures can withstand loads, environmental conditions, and usage over time.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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When do I need a structural engineer? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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You may need a structural engineer when:<\/span><\/p>

  • Planning a new construction (home, commercial, or industrial)<\/span><\/li>
  • Altering structural elements (e.g., removing walls, adding floors)<\/span><\/li>
  • Evaluating structural damage (cracks, subsidence, etc.)<\/span><\/li>
  • Conducting structural inspections for property purchases or insurance<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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    What is the difference between an architect and a structural engineer? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    An <\/span>architect<\/b> focuses on the design, aesthetics, functionality, and spatial layout of a building. A <\/span>structural engineer<\/b>, on the other hand, ensures the building is safe, stable, and capable of withstanding all structural loads. They often collaborate during a project to bring both form and function together.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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    What services do structural engineers typically provide? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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    • Structural design and analysis<\/span><\/li>
    • Load calculations<\/span><\/li>
    • Foundation design<\/span><\/li>
    • Retaining wall design<\/span><\/li>
    • Structural inspections and reports<\/span><\/li>
    • Structural alterations and remedial works<\/span><\/li>
    • Planning and building regulation support<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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      Do I need a structural engineer for a home extension or loft conversion? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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      Yes, most likely. Structural engineers are required to design beams, supports, and foundations for structural alterations. This ensures the changes comply with building regulations and the structure remains safe.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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      Are structural engineers regulated in the UK? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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      Yes. Structural engineers typically hold qualifications from professional bodies such as the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) or the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). Many are also Chartered Engineers (CEng), which signifies a high level of competence and professionalism<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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      How much does it cost to hire a structural engineer? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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      Costs vary based on the complexity of the project. Basic calculations and beam designs might start from <\/span>\u00a3250\u2013\u00a3500<\/b>, while full structural design for a home or commercial building can be \u00a31000+. It\u2019s always best to get a quote based on your specific needs<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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      Can structural engineers provide building regulation approvals? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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      Structural engineers don\u2019t directly approve plans but provide the necessary calculations and drawings that are submitted to Building Control for approval, which is essential for securing permission.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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      What qualifications should I look for in a structural engineer? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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      Look for:<\/span><\/p>

      • Chartered status (CEng)<\/span><\/li>
      • Membership of IStructE or ICE<\/span><\/li>
      • Relevant degree (e.g., BEng or MEng in Structural or Civil Engineering)<\/span><\/li>
      • Insurance (e.g., Professional Indemnity)<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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        Can I use a structural engineer for insurance or legal claims? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Yes. Structural engineers can conduct structural surveys and reports for use in insurance claims, party wall disputes, or litigation regarding construction defects or subsidence.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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        How long does a structural inspection take? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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        A typical residential inspection takes 1\u20133 hours, depending on size and complexity. Reports issued within 2\u20137 working days afterward<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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        How long does it take to get structural drawings? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Once a site survey or architect\u2019s plans are available, structural drawings usually take 1\u20132 weeks, depending on project complexity. Always allow time for revisions if required by Building Control.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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        What is a structural survey? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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        A structural survey is a more focused assessment carried out by a structural engineer. It examines the structural integrity of a building particularly key load-bearing elements like beams, foundations, walls, and roofs. It\u2019s typically recommended when there are visible cracks, movement, or other signs of structural concern.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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        How does a structural survey differ from a building survey? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Feature<\/b><\/p><\/td>

        Building Survey<\/b><\/p><\/td>

        Structural Survey<\/b><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        Focus<\/b><\/p><\/td>

        General condition of the entire property<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Structural soundness of specific elements<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        Conducted By<\/b><\/p><\/td>

        Building surveyor<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Structural engineer<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        Scope<\/b><\/p><\/td>

        Wide-ranging; includes all building elements<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Narrow; focuses on structure and stability<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        Use Case<\/b><\/p><\/td>

        General homebuyers, renovations, property condition reports<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Concerns about cracks, movement, or structural damage<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

        Includes<\/b><\/p><\/td>

        Advice on defects, maintenance, damp, insulation, etc.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

        Analysis of load-bearing walls, beams, foundations<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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        How does a structural survey differ from a building survey? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Structural engineering is a branch of civil engineering focused on designing, analyzing, and ensuring the safety and stability of structures such as buildings, bridges, towers, and other infrastructure. Structural engineers make sure that structures can withstand loads, environmental conditions, and usage over time.<\/span><\/p>

        You may need a structural engineer when:<\/span><\/p>