Structural Engineer for New Builds Foundation Design • Structural Frame • Building Control • UK-Wide
Planning a new build or self-build? Our structural engineer for new builds service delivers fixed-fee structural calculations, foundation design and Building Control-ready drawings for residential and commercial new build projects across the UK.
5.0/5 from 150+ reviews • New builds across the UK
Get Your New Build Structural Quote
Tell us about your project and we'll confirm a fixed fee within one working day.
What a Structural Engineer for New Builds Provides
A complete Building Control-ready structural design package for your new build project, from foundation design to roof structure.
Foundation Design
We design the foundation system based on the loading from above and the ground conditions at your site.
- Strip, pad or raft foundation design
- Bearing pressure and settlement checks
- Reinforcement details for Building Control
- Depth recommendations based on ground report
Structural Wall Design
Masonry walls, cavity walls and structural blockwork designed to carry the loads from floors and roof safely.
- Wall thickness and masonry specification
- Lateral stability checks for wind loading
- Lintel and beam sizing over all openings
- Padstone design where beams bear on masonry
Floor Structure Design
Timber joist or beam-and-block floors sized for the spans, loads and deflection limits required by Building Control.
- Floor joist sizing to BS EN 1995
- Beam-and-block or precast concrete options
- Steel beam sizing where long spans are needed
- Acoustic and vibration considerations
Roof Structure Design
Traditional cut roofs, trussed rafters or flat roofs — we design the structure and produce the calculations for Building Control.
- Rafter, purlin and ridge beam sizing
- Trussed rafter specification and layout
- Flat roof structural design
- Wind uplift and snow load checks
Steel Beams and Columns
Where steel is needed for large spans or point loads — open-plan ground floors, large glazed openings or long roof spans — we design the steelwork.
- Universal beam and column sizing
- Connection design actions for fabricator
- Steel frame design for open-plan layouts
- Integration with masonry or timber frame
Building Control Support
We respond to any technical queries from Building Control and provide reasonable revisions until full structural approval is granted.
- Direct response to Building Control queries
- Revisions included in fixed fee
- Support through to completion certificate
New Build Projects We Design
We provide structural engineer services for new builds across residential and small commercial projects throughout the UK.
New Residential Dwelling
A complete structural design package for a new detached, semi-detached or terraced house — from ground investigation advice through to roof structure and Building Control submission.
- Foundation design based on ground conditions
- All floors, walls and roof structure designed
- Steel beams for open-plan areas
- Full Building Control calculation pack
Self-Build Project
We work directly with self-builders managing their own project. Whether you are using an architect or working from your own drawings, we provide the structural design support your build needs.
- Direct communication with self-builder
- Phased delivery to match your build programme
- Foundation through to roof in one fixed fee
- Ongoing technical support throughout the build
Garage or Outbuilding
New garages, workshops, outbuildings and garden offices that require Building Control approval and structural calculations.
- Foundation and slab design
- Wall and roof structural design
- Steel beam sizing if needed
- Building Control calculation pack
Small Commercial New Build
Structural design for small commercial buildings including retail units, offices, light industrial units and mixed-use ground floor commercial with residential above.
- Full structural frame design
- Commercial floor loading to BS EN 1991
- Wind and stability analysis
- Coordinated with architect's drawings
From First Enquiry to Building Control Approval
We work from your architect's drawings and any ground investigation available. Most new build structural designs are completed without a site visit.
Send Your Drawings
Share your architect's drawings or planning drawings and any ground investigation or soil report for the site. We confirm what we need and provide a fixed fee within one working day.
Fixed Fee Agreed
You receive a clear scope of work, a fixed price and a programme. No hourly rates and no surprises. Your architect and builder know exactly when to expect the calculations.
Full Structural Design
We design foundations, walls, floors, roof structure and any steelwork — and produce a complete set of structural calculations and drawings your contractor can build from.
Building Control Support
Once submitted, we respond to any technical queries from Building Control and provide revisions until formal structural approval is issued.
Information We Need to Start Your New Build Structural Design
The more detail you can provide at the start, the quicker we can confirm your fee and get the design underway.
Architect's Drawings
- Planning drawings or full working drawings in PDF
- Floor plans, sections and elevations
- Site plan showing orientation and boundaries
Ground Conditions
- Site address or postcode
- Ground investigation or soil report if available
- Any known ground issues: made ground, trees, high water table
Construction Specification
- Construction method: masonry, timber frame or steel frame
- Number of storeys and floor-to-ceiling heights
- Any large spans or open-plan areas requiring steel
Programme
- Intended start on site
- Whether Building Control has been notified
- Any specific requirements from your architect or contractor
New Build Projects We Have Designed
Comments from self-builders, developers and architects on new build structural design projects across the UK.
"As a self-builder I was nervous about managing the structural design myself without a main contractor. SECalcs were brilliant — clear fixed fee, fast turnaround, and they explained everything in plain English. Building Control passed without a single query."
Self-Build Detached House — Yorkshire
"We used SECalcs for the structural design on a new detached house. The calculations were thorough, the drawings were exactly what our builder needed, and any queries from Building Control were dealt with quickly and without fuss. Would use again without hesitation."
New Detached House — Cheshire
"Our architect recommended SECalcs for the structural design on our new garage and workshop. The fixed fee was competitive, the pack came back on time, and the drawings made it straightforward for our builder to price and build from. Very professional."
New Garage and Workshop — Staffordshire
Structural Engineer for New Builds — Questions Answered
Common questions from self-builders, developers and architects planning a new build project.
Yes. Building Control requires structural calculations for all new build projects, whether residential or commercial. A structural engineer for new builds designs the foundations, specifies the structural elements, sizes floors and roof members, and produces calculations and drawings for Building Control submission. Without a structural engineer, your Building Control approval cannot be granted.
We design the foundation system, specify all structural elements including walls, beams, columns, floors and roof structure, produce a full set of structural calculations to British Standards, and create drawings your contractor can build from. We coordinate with your architect throughout and provide a Building Control-ready pack as part of every commission.
Structural engineer fees for a new build start from around £1,500 for a straightforward single dwelling. Larger, more complex or commercial new builds are priced on enquiry after reviewing the architect's drawings. Garages and outbuildings start from £600. All fees are fixed and agreed upfront before any work begins — no hourly rates.
A typical new build requires foundation design, structural wall calculations, steel or timber beam sizing for all floor and roof spans, column and post design, roof structure calculations, and connection details throughout. We provide all of these in a single Building Control-ready pack, coordinated with your architect's drawings.
Yes. Self-build projects require exactly the same structural calculations and Building Control approval as developer-built homes. Many of our clients are self-builders managing their own project — we are happy to work directly with you without an architect if you already have planning drawings, and we can advise on ground investigation scope before the foundation design begins.
In most cases, yes. We work from your architect's drawings and any available ground investigation report. Where ground conditions are uncertain and no investigation has been carried out, we can recommend appropriate investigation scope before finalising the foundation design. A site visit is occasionally needed for unusual sites or complex ground conditions — we will tell you upfront if that is the case.
Need a Structural Engineer for Your New Build?
Send us your architect's drawings and tell us about the site. We'll confirm a fixed structural design fee — most enquiries answered within one working day.
- Head Office: Corwell Lane, Uxbridge, England, UB8 3DE.
- 07359 267907
- info@structuralengineercalcs.com
- Company No: 12653163