Structural Engineer Plymouth
Local structural engineering for Plymouth homes
Plymouth has a mix of Victorian terraces, 1930s semis, post-war estates and newer estates on the edge of the city. A lot of projects start with the same idea: open up a cramped ground floor, add space at the back or convert the loft into a proper bedroom.
SECalcs designs the structure behind those plans.
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We help homeowners, builders and architects across Plymouth keep projects safe, practical and ready for Building Control approval.
From terraces near Mutley Plain and Stoke to family homes in Peverell, Plymstock, Plympton and beyond, we provide clear structural calculations, drawings and notes that your builder can follow without confusion.
We also understand the local quirks: sloping gardens, retaining walls, older shallow footings and the effect of coastal weather on steel and masonry.
RSJ beams and wall removals across Plymouth
Opening two rooms into one is one of the most common jobs we see in Plymouth. Older houses were built with small separate rooms. Modern families want a long kitchen-diner or a living space that runs from front to back.
Common Plymouth wall-removal jobs
Typical RSJ and wall-removal projects include:
- Knocking through kitchen and dining rooms in terraces around Stoke and Mutley Plain
- Removing walls between living and dining rooms in Peverell and Hartley
- Opening up the rear of 1930s semis in Compton, Mannamead and Plymstock
- Creating large openings into new extensions on estates in Plympton and Derriford
What we check before sizing your steel
When we design an RSJ beam in Plymouth, we look carefully at:
- The age and type of the house and how the floors span
- Whether there are walls or chimney breasts above the wall you are removing
- The condition and size of existing joists
- Bearing points, padstones and how loads pass down to footings
- Coastal exposure and any risk of corrosion if steel is near external walls or damp areas
You receive a clear calculation sheet showing the steel size, bearing lengths, padstone details and any extra stiffeners or connection plates required, along with sketches your builder can understand.
Loft conversion structural engineer Plymouth
A lot of Plymouth lofts have good potential but awkward roof shapes and low ridge heights. Streets of terraces and semis in Peverell, Compton and Mannamead often end up with rear dormers and new staircases cut through the middle of the house.
Areas where loft jobs are popular
We often design loft conversions in:
- Peverell and Compton, where terraces and semis already have good footprints
- Mannamead and Hartley, where owners want to add a master bedroom with en-suite
- Plympton and Plymstock, where newer roofs are adapted to create extra rooms
- Villages towards Ivybridge and Tavistock, where roof space is used instead of extending out
Typical structural elements we design
For loft conversions in and around Plymouth we commonly design:
- New ridge beams when existing purlins are removed
- Steel or timber members to support dormer fronts and cheeks
- Ceiling and floor joists for the new room
- Trimmer beams around stair openings and rooflights
- Connections back into existing walls and party walls
Your loft pack includes beam schedules, joist layouts and deflection checks so Building Control can sign off the structure with confidence.
Structural calculations Plymouth
Whether you are altering a single wall or building a full extension, you need proper structural calculations for Building Control and your builder.
- Steel beam design (RSJs, lintels, ridge beams, goalpost frames)
- Timber joist and rafter sizing
- Concrete padstone and bearing checks
- Foundation and footing sizes where required
- Checks for deflection, bending and shear
- Clear sketches and notes showing where each member sits
Everything is produced to current Eurocodes or British Standards as required, and laid out so builders and inspectors can follow it step by step.
Why clear drawings matter with Plymouth Building Control
Plymouth City Council Building Control, and approved inspectors working in the city, expect to see:
- Calcs that clearly match the plans
- Beam references that tie in with your drawings
- Sensible assumptions explained in plain language
We design your pack to answer those questions upfront, which helps reduce back-and-forth emails and keeps your build moving.
Extensions and renovations
Single-storey and two-storey rear extensions are common across Plymouth, especially where gardens slope away from the house or access is tight.
Common extension types in the city
We often design:
- Rear kitchen-diner extensions on terraces in Stoke and Mutley
- Two-storey rear extensions to 1930s semis in Peverell, Hartley and Compton
- Side and wrap-around extensions to detached homes in Crownhill, Derriford and Plymstock
- Sunrooms and garden rooms on sloping plots in Plympton and the outskirts towards Ivybridge
What we do for your extension
For these projects we can design:
- New foundations or checks on existing footings
- Steelwork over large bi-fold openings
- Roof structures, whether flat, vaulted or pitched
- Floor structures and any required trimming
- Checks to existing walls, piers and retaining structures
We keep the calculations focused on what will actually be built, without padding the report with theory your builder does not need.
Timber design Plymouth
Timber is everywhere in Plymouth homes, from suspended timber floors in older terraces to flat roofs over extensions and dormers.
Where we see timber problems locally
Common issues we are asked to look at include:
- Mixed joist sizes in older terraces where walls have been altered over time
- Flat roofs with undersized joists and ponding water
- Joists not properly supported where chimney breasts have been removed
- Weathered external timber structures in coastal areas closer to the Sound
What we design
Our timber design service covers:
- Floor joists, including maximum spans for your loading and finishes
- Flat and pitched roof joists, rafters and purlins
- Timber elements to support dormers and rooflights
- Simple external structures like decking, balconies and pergolas
We provide span tables and sketches that show your builder exactly what needs to be installed.
Subsidence and settlement
Parts of Plymouth and the wider Devon area sit on mixed ground, with pockets of clay, made ground and older foundations that are shallower than modern standards.
Local causes we often see
We are regularly called to look at:
- Cracking near bay windows in older terraces
- Movement where large trees sit close to the house
- Settlement on extensions built off old garden walls or poorly-known ground
- Issues with retaining walls on sloping plots, especially in hillside streets
What we offer for movement and cracking
For these cases we can provide:
- Site visits to inspect cracking and measure movement
- Advice on whether the problem is historic or still active
- Sketches and reinforcement details for local repairs
- Structural reports that can be used with insurers, lenders or buyers
Fixed-fee pricing for Plymouth homeowners
We like homeowners and builders to know where they stand before any work starts. For typical Plymouth projects we offer clear fixed fees, agreed in writing before we begin.
Wall Removals
Structural design for a single load-bearing wall removal.
Extensions & Lofts
Loft conversion beam and joist calculations. Full extension structural packages.
Inspections
Timber floor or roof check and upgrade. Subsidence inspection with a short report.
Larger or unusual projects are quoted individually once we have seen your drawings and photos, so you always know the cost before instructing us.
How we work
Share your plans and photos
Email us your architect's drawings, estate agent floor plan or even a clear sketch with dimensions. Add photos of the existing rooms, loft or garden so we can see the structure.
Agree scope and fixed price
We confirm what you need, what is included and the fixed fee for the work. If anything is not needed, we tell you, so you are not paying for calcs that add no value.
We carry out the calculations
We model the structure, check the loads and design beams, joists and foundations as required. Everything is done to the current design codes and checked carefully.
We send drawings and answer questions
You receive your calculations and drawings as a PDF pack by email. If your builder or Building Control officer has questions, we reply directly and make reasonable tweaks where needed.
Support during the build
If something on site changes, such as a beam position or opening width, we can review and update the design so the project stays compliant and safe.
Notes for Plymouth builds
Sloping garden levels
Many Plymouth homes sit on sloping plots, which means extensions often need stepped footings, retaining walls or higher floor levels. We factor this into the design from the start so you do not get surprises when the ground is opened up.
Older shallow footings
In some of the older streets, existing footings are shallower than modern guidance. When you add an extension or remove walls, we take care to check how new loads will interact with that existing foundation depth.
Coastal exposure and corrosion
Homes closer to the waterfront are more exposed to salt-laden air. Where steel is near external walls, garages or damp spaces, we pay attention to corrosion protection and detailing so your structure lasts.
Retaining walls and level changes
Many gardens in Plymouth have raised patios, garages or parking decks held back by walls that have been there for decades. We can assess these walls if you are adding an extension or new loading nearby, and design strengthening where required.
What Plymouth clients say
“SECalcs helped us remove two walls to create a kitchen-diner in our Peverell terrace. The builder found the drawings easy to follow and Building Control signed off without any issues.”
“Our loft conversion in Plymstock needed steels and new joists. The calculations were turned around quickly and the engineer answered the inspector's questions directly.”
“We had cracking in an older property near Stoke. SECalcs visited, explained what was going on and gave us a clear plan for repairs.”
Plymouth and nearby areas we cover
We work across Plymouth and the surrounding area, including:
- Peverell, Mutley Plain, Stoke
- Compton, Hartley, Mannamead
- Plymstock, Plympton
- Crownhill, Derriford
- Saltash, Ivybridge, Tavistock
If your project is just outside this list, ask anyway. If we can help, we will, and if not we will say so.
Book your structural engineer in Plymouth
If you are planning a loft conversion, wall removal, extension or structural alteration in Plymouth or nearby towns such as Saltash, Ivybridge or Tavistock, we can help.
Call us to talk through your project, or send your drawings and photos by email. We will confirm what you need, give you a clear fixed fee and deliver structural calculations and drawings your builder and Building Control can use straight away.
FAQs
- Head Office: Corwell Lane, Uxbridge, England, UB8 3DE.
- 07359 267907
- info@structuralengineercalcs.com
- Company No: 12653163