Structural Engineer Cost in the UK (2026 Guide)

If you are planning a home project in 2026, whether it is removing a wall, planning an extension or converting a loft, you will almost always need a structural engineer. The big question most homeowners ask first is simple: how much will it cost?

The short answer is this: most UK homeowners pay between £350 and £2,500 for structural engineering work in 2026. Small jobs such as a single RSJ calculation sit at the lower end. Larger projects such as full loft conversions or home extensions sit toward the higher end.

This guide explains real UK prices, what affects the cost, examples from typical domestic projects and how to avoid paying more than you need to.

How Much Does a Structural Engineer Cost in 2026?

For a typical UK homeowner, you can use these rough ranges as a starting point:

• Small beam or RSJ design: around £60 to £450
• Loft conversion structural calculations: around £750 to £2,200
• Home extension calculations: around £900 to £2,500
• Structural inspection or report: around £175 to £2,000

The actual figure for your project depends mainly on complexity, number of structural elements, site conditions and where you live in the UK.

Quick Structural Engineer Cost Table (2026)

What Affects Structural Engineer Costs?

Project complexity

A single beam calculation is straightforward and quick. A loft conversion with several beams, joists, rafters and a dormer is more complex and takes longer. More time means more cost.

Number of beams or structural elements

One RSJ may take under an hour to check and draw. Four or five beams, plus connection details and load checks, can take several hours.

Site conditions and access

If the house has tricky access, trees, clay soil, unusual foundations or previous alterations, the engineer may need extra time or a site visit, which adds cost.

Location in the UK

London and the South East usually sit at the higher end of the ranges above. Many other areas of the UK are closer to the middle of the ranges.

Renovation versus new build

Older homes can hide history inside walls and floors, so renovation work often needs more investigation. New builds tend to be cleaner to analyse and can be quicker.

Urgent or same day work

If you need a visit or design at very short notice, for example during active construction, the engineer may charge a higher hourly rate or an uplift for priority work.

City & Region: Price Variations

Structural engineer costs in the UK vary depending on where you live. Labour, travel, and insurance costs differ across the country. In high-demand areas like London, prices are naturally higher than in the North or Midlands.

Manchester Structural Engineer Costs (Local Guide)

Manchester prices usually sit around the UK average, with good availability of domestic structural engineers. Costs are influenced by property type, access, and whether the work involves older terraced housing or modern estates.

Typical domestic work includes:

• Load bearing wall removals in terraces and semis
• Loft conversions in 1930s to 1960s housing stock
• Chimney breast support and internal remodelling

For a full local breakdown and examples, see our detailed guide to structural engineer cost in Manchester.

Structural Engineer Costs by Project Type

RSJ beam design for wall removal: £60 to £950

This is one of the most common domestic jobs. You might remove a wall between the kitchen and dining room, or open up the back of the house for bifold doors. The engineer designs the new steel beam and checks the loads.

A simple single opening with a standard span and clear load path usually sits under £450. If there are multiple beams, a cranked beam, tricky supports or poor access to information, the fee moves toward the top of the range.

Loft conversion structural calculations: £750 to £2,200

A loft conversion needs several key elements designed properly:

• New floor joists
• Steel beams for the floor and dormer
• Ridge beam or alternative support to the roof
• Support to existing or altered walls
• Load paths down to foundations

Simple lofts with no dormer are at the lower end. Hip to gable changes, big dormers and chimney removals sit at the higher end.

Home extension calculations: £900 to £2,500

A typical home extension fee covers the structural side only. This can include:

• Steel beams or lintels over openings
• Roof structure and any vaulted ceilings
• Foundations or ground beams
• Lateral support and stability

Standard single storey rear extensions usually sit under £1,500. Large wrap around extensions or double storey extensions often sit between £1,500 and £2,500.

Structural report: £500 to £2,000

A structural report is used where there is a concern about movement, cracks or subsidence, or where a surveyor has advised further structural checks. The engineer visits the property, inspects the issue and writes a formal report.

Minor cracking with simple access is at the lower end of the range. Wide cracks, subsidence, retaining walls or complex movement that needs further investigation can push the cost higher.

Structural inspection without full report: £175 to £300

Sometimes you do not need a full written report, only professional advice. In these cases the engineer may offer a shorter visit with verbal feedback and a brief email summary. This is useful for early guidance before you commit to a full design.

Retrospective calculations: £350 to £750

Building Control or a buyer’s solicitor may ask for calculations where work has already been done without an engineer. The engineer must inspect what is built and then design to suit the actual situation, which can be more involved than a normal design on paper. This often depends on what can be verified on site, such as clear photos, measurements, and sometimes opening up of finishes if key details are hidden.

Real UK Project Examples

Example 1: Wall removal in a 1930s semi

The homeowner removes a 3 metre load bearing wall between the kitchen and dining room. The engineer provides:

• Beam design
• Padstone sizes
• Basic connection details
• Structural notes for Building Control

Typical fee: around £320

Example 2: Loft conversion with rear dormer

The project includes new floor steels, a ridge beam, dormer opening and checks on the existing walls and supports.

Typical fee: around £1,250

Example 3: Single storey rear extension

The engineer designs the main opening to the rear, beams over bifold doors, roof structure and foundations where needed.

Typical fee: around £1,450

Example 4: Crack inspection before purchase

A buyer’s survey flags cracks to the flank wall. The structural engineer visits the house, inspects the cracks and issues a short report with recommendations.

Typical fee: around £600

Do I Need a Structural Engineer?

As a simple rule, you need a structural engineer if your project involves:

• Removing a load bearing wall
• Converting a loft
• Building an extension
• Fitting steel beams or large lintels
• Cracks, subsidence or movement
• Building Control asking for structural calculations

If you are not sure, it is usually safer to speak to an engineer. A short conversation often clears things up.

How Long Does Structural Design Take?

Turnaround times vary by project scope and workload, but these are typical UK ranges:

• Small beam design: 1 to 3 working days
• Loft conversion calculations: 3 to 7 working days
• Home extension calculations: 3 to 10 working days
• Structural reports: 1 to 3 working days after the inspection

Urgent work can sometimes be done faster, but there is usually a premium for priority jobs.

Fixed Fee or Hourly Rate?

Many homeowners prefer a fixed fee for domestic work because it is easier to budget. Hourly rates can still work well where the scope is unclear, for example investigating subsidence or ongoing movement.

For clear tasks such as beam design, loft conversions or home extensions, a fixed fee with a clear written scope is usually the best option.

How to Reduce Your Structural Engineer Costs

Prepare drawings first

If you already have decent plans or sketches before the engineer starts, they need less time to work out the basics. This saves you money.

Keep the layout simple

Clean, straight lines and sensible spans almost always lead to lower steel costs and less design time. Complex shapes, big cantilevers or awkward corners lead to more steel and more calculation time.

Avoid late design changes

Each time the layout changes, the engineer may need to recalc beams, supports or foundations. That adds time and cost.

What Is Included in a Structural Engineer’s Fee?

For domestic projects, a typical fee usually covers:

• Structural calculations for beams, joists, rafters and supports
• Structural drawings showing beam positions and key details
• Basic structural notes for Building Control
• Reasonable email contact during the design stage

Extra charges only tend to appear where extra visits, major changes or more detailed specialist checks are needed.

When Do Extra Costs Apply?

Extra costs may apply if:

• The site is much more complex than first thought
• The ground conditions need extra investigation
• You change the design after the engineer has finished the original work
• Building Control ask for significant revisions
• Previous work was carried out with no drawings and no calculations

These additions are usually a small part of the overall project cost but it is worth asking about them upfront.

What Qualifications Should a Structural Engineer Have?

In the UK, structural engineers can work on domestic projects without being chartered, but certain professional qualifications show extra training and experience. These are the main accreditations you will see:

CEng (Chartered Engineer)

This is a high level of professional recognition. Chartered engineers have proven experience, advanced training and a strong understanding of technical standards. Many work on complex or commercial projects, but many also take on domestic work.

MIStructE or FIStructE

This means the engineer is a Member (MIStructE) or Fellow (FIStructE) of the Institution of Structural Engineers. It shows solid experience and a long track record of safe design work.

MICE (Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers)

Some structural engineers are civil engineers by background. MICE shows they are qualified and competent in structural design as well.

Is chartered status required?

No. Many excellent domestic structural engineers are not chartered but still deliver high quality work. What matters most is experience, insurance and clear, accurate design.

What matters most for homeowners?

• Professional indemnity insurance
• Good knowledge of domestic steelwork and extensions
• Clear communication
• Accurate drawings and calculations
• A solid portfolio of similar projects

Qualifications help, but experience with real UK domestic projects is the biggest factor for most homeowners.

How Structural Engineers Fit Into Your Project (Simple Workflow)

A structural engineer works alongside your architect, builder and Building Control. Here is the simple process most UK homeowners follow:

1. Architect creates the layout

The architect draws the floor plan, elevation and general design. They show the openings, room layouts and where beams might be needed.

2. Structural engineer designs the structure behind the drawings

The engineer calculates:

• Steel beams (RSJs)
• Padstones and bearings
• Floor joists
• Roof structure
• Foundations
• Load paths

They make sure the architect’s design can actually be built safely.

3. Builder uses the engineer’s drawings during construction

The builder relies on the engineer’s drawings to order steel, cut openings and place beams. Good drawings reduce mistakes and speed up the build.

4. Building Control checks the calculations

Building Control usually require structural calculations and drawings for wall removals, loft conversions and extensions before they will sign the work off. They review the calculations before and sometimes during the build.

5. Final sign off

When the structure is complete, Building Control issue approval or a completion certificate.

This simple workflow helps keep your project safe, legal and straightforward from start to finish.

How Structural Calculations Are Submitted to Building Control

Building Control checks the structural design to make sure your project is safe. Here is the simple process most homeowners follow:

Step 1: Your engineer completes the calculations

Once your layout is confirmed, the engineer designs all beams, joists and supports and prepares the calculation pack and drawings.

Step 2: You or your architect send the pack to Building Control

You can upload the documents directly to your council or through an Approved Inspector. Many homeowners ask the architect to submit the documents on their behalf.

Step 3: Building Control review the design

This usually takes 3 to 10 working days. They check:

• Beam sizes
• Load paths
• Padstones and bearings
• Foundations
• Lateral stability

If everything is clear, they approve it. If they need more information, they ask the engineer for clarification.

Step 4: Work can begin on site

Once the calculations are accepted, your builder can cut openings and place beams safely.

Step 5: Final inspection

Building Control check the steel on site before it is covered up. After the structure is complete, they issue a final completion certificate.

This approval is important for safety and will be required if you sell the property in the future.

How to Choose a Good Structural Engineer in 2026

When you compare quotes, look for:

• Clear fixed fees or very clear hourly rates
• Strong experience in domestic work
• Reasonable turnaround times
• Good communication and clear answers
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Reviews from real clients

A good engineer does not just keep the building safe. They also help keep steel sizes sensible so you do not overspend on materials.

FAQ: Structural Engineer Costs in 2026

How much does an RSJ calculation cost in 2026?

For most domestic beams you can expect to pay between £60 and £450, depending on the span, loads and how many beams are involved.

Do I need a structural engineer for a load bearing wall removal?

Yes. Building Control will ask for structural calculations for the new beam that replaces the wall. A structural engineer provides these.

How much does a structural report cost?

Most reports sit between £500 and £2,000. Simpler issues are at the lower end, complex movement or subsidence can push the fee higher.

Can a structural engineer design my extension?

Yes. The structural engineer designs the beams, roof structure and foundations that sit behind your architect’s plans.

How long does a structural engineer visit last?

Most domestic visits last between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on how many issues need to be checked.

Conclusion

Hiring a structural engineer is one of the key steps in any serious home project. In 2026, most domestic jobs sit between £350 and £2,500, depending on the size and complexity of the work. Clear fees, simple layouts and early advice will help you keep both design and build costs under control.

If you are planning work this year, getting the right structural advice at the start can save you a lot of time, stress and money later on.