Birmingham & West Midlands
Looking for a structural engineer Birmingham homeowners and builders trust? We provide fixed-fee structural calculations from £245 for wall removals, loft conversions (including hip to gable, pitched dormer and side dormer), extensions and steel beam design across Birmingham and the West Midlands. Building Control-ready within 24 to 72 hours.
Birmingham has one of the UK's most varied residential housing stocks — Victorian and Edwardian terraces in Moseley, Kings Heath and Stirchley; interwar semis in Harborne and Edgbaston; post-war estates with sulphate-susceptible foundations; and newer developments in Sutton Coldfield and Solihull. We know the local construction issues and build them into every design.
We respond to Birmingham enquiries within 24 hours.
SECalcs provides fixed-fee structural calculations for homeowners across Birmingham, Solihull, Harborne, and Edgbaston. We deliver Building Control-ready designs within 24 to 72 hours for most domestic projects, helping you move forward without delay.
Every design is completed or reviewed by a Chartered Structural Engineer. We specialise in:
Send your plans, we confirm the fixed fee, then deliver everything your builder needs. No jargon, no surprises.
You receive a complete calculation pack including clear structural drawings, beam specifications, and connection details — certified and ready for Building Control submission.
We handle RSJ sizing, load calculations, and foundation checks so your builder can start with confidence. For a quote, send your address, photos and any existing floor plans. For lofts or extensions, roof details are helpful. Most wall removals and RSJ designs are completed within 24 to 72 hours. Larger projects take five to seven working days.
We are the structural engineer Birmingham loft conversion specialists call first. We design the structural package for all loft conversion types across Birmingham and the West Midlands. All designs are Building Control-ready with structural calculations, beam drawings and connection details included.
Structural engineer fee: £450 to £900
A pitched or dog-leg dormer adds a gable-style projection to the rear slope of the roof. We design the trimmer and valley rafters, the dormer frame and the ridge connection. Used frequently on Birmingham terraced properties where planning requires a pitched roof rather than a flat top dormer. Our calculations are ready for Birmingham Building Control in 3 to 5 working days.
Structural engineer fee: £395 to £800
A side dormer extends out over a side elevation of the property, typically above a garage or side alley. We design the new frame, floor support and roof connection for planning and Building Control approval. Common on detached and link-detached properties in Solihull and south Birmingham.
Structural engineer fee: £395 to £900
Rear dormer conversions are common across the Victorian and Edwardian terraces of Moseley, Kings Heath and Stirchley. We design the structural elements: floor joists, trimmer beams, the dormer frame and the flat or mono-pitch roof structure. Our pack gives your builder and Building Control everything they need.
Structural engineer fee: £550 to £1,200
A hip to gable conversion is one of the most popular loft types in Birmingham because it suits the semi-detached and detached housing stock common across Harborne, Edgbaston and Sutton Coldfield. We design the new gable wall structure, the ridge extension, the new floor joists and all steelwork for Building Control approval.
Structural engineer fee: £600 to £1,200
An L-shaped dormer combines a rear dormer with a side return extension at roof level, creating significantly more floor space. The structural design covers the main and secondary dormer frames, the valley beam at the junction and the new floor structure. Common in Birmingham end-of-terrace and larger semi-detached properties.
Structural engineer fee: £700 to £1,400
A mansard conversion replaces the entire rear roof slope with a near-vertical structure — the most complex loft type structurally. We design the new mansard wall frame, the flat roof structure, the front purlin extension and the new floor. Predominantly used on large Victorian terraces in Edgbaston and Moseley.
Steel I beams (also called RSJ beams or universal beams) are used in Birmingham homes whenever a load bearing wall is removed or a new structural opening is created. Here is what the calculation involves.
Steel I beams span new openings and carry the loads that were previously held by a wall. In Birmingham homes, the most common uses are kitchen knock-throughs between the kitchen and dining room, rear wall openings for bi-fold doors, chimney breast removals and structural alterations to create open-plan layouts.
A structural engineer calculates the correct steel I beam size, specifies the padstones (the bearing pads under each end of the beam) and checks the masonry below can carry the new concentrated load. Steel I beam calculations in Birmingham start from £245 and are delivered in 24 to 72 hours. Wall removal guide
Birmingham's varied housing stock affects steel I beam design in different ways. Victorian terraces in Moseley and Kings Heath have solid brick walls with relatively low bearing capacity — padstones need to distribute loads over a larger area. Post-war properties in Northfield, Erdington and Hall Green may have no-fines concrete or lightweight block construction that changes padstone specification entirely.
We identify the construction type from your drawings and photos before quoting, and factor it into every beam and padstone design. This is the step that separates a correct calculation from a generic one that may fail Building Control inspection.
Most structural engineering jobs in Birmingham cost between £245 and £1,500. All fees are fixed and confirmed in writing before we start any work.
| Service | Typical Fee (Birmingham, 2026) | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|
| Single RSJ or steel I beam calculation | £245 to £450 | Beam sizing, padstone design, masonry checks |
| Load bearing wall removal (engineer fee) | £300 to £600 | Full Building Control calculation pack |
| Loft conversion structural design | £395 to £1,400 | Floor joists, ridge beam, dormer frame, hip to gable structure |
| Home extension structural calculations | £600 to £1,500 | Beams, foundations, roof structure |
| Structural inspection and defect report | £400 to £900 | Cracks, movement, subsidence, purchase reports |
| Site visit (when required) | £250 to £400 | Most residential jobs handled remotely from drawings |
Structural alterations is the term Birmingham Building Control uses for any work that modifies how a property carries load — not just wall removals but any change to the load path through the building.
Structural alterations Birmingham projects include: load bearing wall removals, chimney breast removals (common in Victorian terraces in Moseley and Edgbaston), new openings in walls or floors, floor alterations, raising roof heights and any work that modifies the existing load path. Birmingham Building Control requires a structural engineer's calculation pack for all of these before approving the work.
Structural alterations Birmingham calculations start from £300 and include full beam sizing, padstone design and connection details — formatted for Birmingham City Council Building Control and private approved inspectors.
The most common structural issues requiring alteration work in Birmingham homes are lintel failure above window and door openings (common in 1950s and 1960s cavity wall properties), sulphate attack to concrete floors and foundations in post-war properties, cracking caused by settlement in Birmingham's clay-heavy soils, and original timber lintels failing in Victorian terraces.
We assess the existing construction type before designing any alteration. Victorian terraces in Stirchley and Moseley, post-war blocks in Northfield and Erdington, and modern new-builds in Sutton Coldfield all have different structural behaviours — we account for all of them.
We provide pre-purchase structural reports and defect surveys across Birmingham, Solihull, Edgbaston, and Harborne. Our Chartered Engineers assess cracking, settlement, movement, and subsidence in Victorian terraces, 1930s semis, and modern homes. We also investigate local issues such as sulphate attack, lintel failure, and foundation problems common in older Birmingham properties.
A structural report focuses on the building's stability and load-bearing elements. It is different from a general building survey, which covers finishes and services. Our report examines foundations, beams, and walls, explains visible defects, and includes sketches with repair recommendations.
We regularly inspect Victorian and post-war homes affected by cracking, movement, and sulphate-related foundation problems. Our engineers understand local soil conditions and construction styles common to Birmingham. We assess whether cracks or distortion are long-standing or active and give clear next steps.
Your report includes photos, sketches, and plain-English explanations of every issue. We clarify if repairs are urgent, moderate, or low priority and provide realistic advice on costs and timing. Each report is checked by a Chartered Engineer and formatted for easy sharing with your solicitor, lender, or builder.
We use Revit, AutoCAD, and CIVILS 3D to create precise structural designs and clear 3D models for complex projects. This BIM-based approach helps homeowners, architects, and builders visualise layouts before work begins. We also provide Party Wall advice and Temporary Works designs for challenging or confined sites.
3D models built in Revit with levels, grids, and load paths. We coordinate with architectural and M&E drawings to avoid clashes before site.
Beam sizes, connections, and foundations designed to Eurocodes. Peer review by a Chartered Engineer for safety, economy, and buildability.
PDF drawings and calculation packs ready for Building Control. BC-ready packs in 24 to 72 hours for most residential Birmingham projects.
Every calculation pack is checked by a Chartered Structural Engineer (MIStructE) before issue. Our in-house QA process ensures accuracy, code compliance, and clear communication across all drawings and reports.
We design efficient, buildable structures that cut material and labour costs. Our engineers specify the right steel sizes, padstones, and fixings without over-engineering.
We work with your architect and builder to align beam positions, floor layouts, and service routes. This avoids site clashes and keeps your build running smoothly.
Clear, compliant drawings with all structural notes and specifications ready for Building Control submission or your architect's package.
Right-sized steels and padstones reduce spend without risking safety. Clear connection details reduce site time and rework. Fixed-fee scope set at the start means no surprises.
SECalcs is led by Chartered Structural Engineers holding CEng MIStructE and MICE qualifications. We operate under an ISO-registered quality management system and carry full professional indemnity insurance.
Feedback from recent clients across Birmingham and the West Midlands.
"Fast turnaround on our RSJ calculations for a kitchen extension in Harborne. Clear drawings and helpful advice throughout."
Sarah T, Harborne, Birmingham
"We used SECalcs for a loft conversion in Edgbaston. The engineer answered all our builder's questions promptly and kept everything on track."
James K, Edgbaston, Birmingham
"Structural report was detailed and easy to understand. Helped us negotiate the price on a Victorian terrace in Moseley."
Rachel M, Moseley, Birmingham
We provide structural engineering services across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region.
Common questions from Birmingham homeowners, builders and developers.
Structural engineer Birmingham fees run from £245 to £1,500 for residential work. A single RSJ beam calculation starts from £245. A load bearing wall removal is £300 to £600. A dormer loft conversion structural design is £395 to £900. A hip to gable loft conversion is £550 to £1,200. A home extension is £600 to £1,500. All fees are fixed and confirmed before work begins.
The total cost of a hip to gable loft conversion in Birmingham (builder, steelwork, structural engineer and finishing) typically ranges from £35,000 to £65,000 depending on size, specification and the number of dormers included. The structural engineer fee alone for a hip to gable design is £550 to £1,200. This covers the new gable wall structure, ridge extension, floor joists and all steelwork drawings for Building Control.
A rear dormer or side dormer is typically the most cost-effective loft conversion in Birmingham, with structural engineer fees starting from £395. Velux and rooflight conversions (where no new dormer structure is built) have the lowest structural fees, often £245 to £395. Hip to gable and mansard conversions are more complex and sit at the higher end of costs.
Yes. Birmingham Building Control require structural calculations for all loft conversions. These cover the new floor structure, any new beams (such as a steel ridge beam), the dormer frame and any changes to existing rafters or purlins. A builder or architect cannot self-certify the structural element. You need a qualified structural engineer to produce the calculation pack.
A standard dormer loft conversion calculation pack is typically ready within 3 to 5 working days. A more complex hip to gable or mansard conversion takes 5 to 7 working days. If your build is already under way and you need a faster turnaround, contact us and we will confirm whether priority delivery is possible.
Yes. Birmingham Building Control require structural calculations before approving any load bearing wall removal. A builder's estimate of what beam to use is not accepted. You need a qualified structural engineer to design the beam, specify the padstones and produce the full calculation pack. RSJ beam calculations start from £245 and are usually ready the next working day.
Yes. We cover all of Birmingham and the West Midlands including Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Harborne, Edgbaston, Moseley, Kings Heath, Selly Oak, Stirchley, Northfield, Erdington, Digbeth, Hall Green and Coventry. Send your postcode and we will confirm straight away.
The most common structural issues in older Birmingham properties are lintel failure above window and door openings, sulphate attack to concrete floors and foundations (particularly in properties built between 1940 and 1970), cracking caused by settlement or subsidence in Birmingham's clay-heavy soils, and original timber lintels failing in Victorian terraces. Our Chartered Engineers have extensive experience of these local issues and can assess and report on any of them.
Fill in the form and we will review your details and send a direct fixed price. We are engineers, not salespeople.
Fixed fees, fast turnaround and Building Control-ready calculations every time. Call us on 07359 267907 or fill in the quote form above and we will come back to you the same working day.
