Structural Engineer Manchester

The role of a residential structural engineer

A residential structural engineer is responsible for the skeleton of your property. While an architect focuses on the appearance and layout of your home, our role is to ensure the building can physically support the work you are planning.

We assess the loads your home must bear. These include forces like the weight of the building materials, furniture, and people, as well as environmental factors like wind and snow. We then design the structural elements, such as beams, columns, and foundations, to resist these loads without deflection or failure. Our remit is strictly defined by Part A (Structure) of the Building Regulations, focusing on the stability and safety of the building rather than its aesthetics.

Our structural engineering services in Manchester

• Load bearing wall removal calculations
  Removing an internal wall is a popular way to create open-plan living, but you must first determine if the wall is load-bearing. If it supports roof struts or floor joists, removing it without support will compromise the building's stability. We calculate the specifications for a new support system to safely transfer the load to the foundations.
• Steel beam and RSJ design
  When timber cannot span a wide opening or support a heavy load, we design steel beams, commonly known as RSJs (Rolled Steel Joists). Using data on span length and load distribution, we specify the exact steel beam calculations required, including the beam's depth and weight per metre, to ensure the opening is secure.
  
  Note: If your beam sits in a shared wall (common in Manchester terraces), we can advise if a Party Wall Agreement is required under the Party Wall Act 1996 to protect you from neighbour disputes.
• Loft conversion structural engineering
  Converting a roof space requires significant structural alteration. Existing ceiling joists are rarely designed to support the weight of a habitable room. We design the necessary upgrades, such as new floor joists and steel ridge beams, ensuring the structure can carry the new loads while maintaining the minimum 2.2-metre headroom often sought for practical living space.
• Home extension structural design
  Whether for a single-storey addition or a larger project, extensions require robust foundations and lintels. We provide the structural calculations Manchester building control officers require to verify that your new extension will be stable and will not adversely affect the existing property or neighbouring structures.

Structural calculations for Building Control approval

Structural calculations are the mathematical proof that your design is safe. Under the Building Regulations 2010, specifically Approved Document A, you must demonstrate that the building is constructed to sustain and transmit all applied loads safely to the ground.

When you submit your plans to Building Control, whether through Manchester City Council or a private approved inspector, they will review our calculations to ensure compliance. Work cannot be signed off without this evidence. These documents prevent dangerous errors, such as sagging floors or cracking walls, protecting both your safety and your property’s value.

Professional standards and IStructE compliance

We carry Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) and work in accordance with the Code of Conduct set out by the Institution of Structural Engineers. This provides financial protection and supports professional standards in the structural designs we produce.

Our duty of care requires that structural designs comply with the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations, including Approved Document A, and are designed in accordance with current Eurocodes (BS EN standards) where applicable. We apply professional judgement to ensure that structures are safe, robust, and suitable for their intended use. This protects your home for you and future owners.

The engineering process: From plans to construction

The process usually begins once you have an architectural concept or a clear idea of your renovation. We review your plans to understand the structural implications, often requiring a site visit to assess the existing building fabric.

Following this, we produce a calculation package and structural drawings. These are technical documents that you or your architect will submit to Building Control for approval. Builders also use these documents to know exactly what size steel beams or timber members to order and install.

Local coverage: Manchester and Greater Manchester

We work with homeowners across the region, including Stockport, Bolton, Altrincham, Didsbury and Sale, supporting projects that range from the modification of Victorian terraces typical of the city suburbs to extensions on post-war semi-detached properties in Greater Manchester. We are familiar with the submission procedures for local Building Control departments and understand the common structural characteristics of Manchester's diverse housing stock.

Frequently asked questions

Request a quote

If you are planning a home alteration and require a quote for structural calculations, please contact us to discuss the details of your project.