Common structural projects
- Removing load bearing walls to create open plan living
- Steel beams for rear and side extension openings
- Loft conversion floors, steel beams and dormer framing
- Chimney breast removal and support
- Foundations for extensions, including near trees or on clay
- First floor extensions over existing structures
Coordinated with your design
One of the most common causes of delays on site is a mismatch between the structural calculations and the building drawings. Because we handle the design as a whole, the structural information is integrated with your building regulations drawings, giving builders and building control one consistent set of information.
Ground conditions in Hampshire
South Hampshire has a mix of clay, gravel and sandy soils, and many gardens include mature trees. Foundation depth and design need to suit the ground, particularly on shrinkable clay near trees. We take this into account so that foundations are designed appropriately from the start.
What you receive
Depending on the project, you will receive structural layouts showing beam positions, sizes and bearings, along with the supporting calculations needed for building control approval.
Structural calculations
Structural calculations are the engineering behind the drawings. They show that each beam, lintel, post and foundation is the right size for the loads it carries, from the roof and floors above down to the ground. Building control will want to see them before approving most extensions, loft conversions and knock-throughs, and your builder uses them to order the right steels and timbers.
We coordinate the calculations with the building regulations drawings, so the sizes and positions shown on the plans match the engineering. That matters, because a mismatch between the two is one of the most common reasons for questions from building control or confusion on site.
Typical items include steel beams over new openings, beams supporting a new loft floor or a hip to gable gable wall, padstones, lintels over widened doors and windows, and foundation details for new walls. Our page on building regulations drawings explains how the calculations fit into the wider package.
When you need them
If you are removing or opening up a load bearing wall, adding a floor in the roof, building an extension with large glazed openings or adding a storey, you will almost certainly need structural calculations. If you are not sure, we can tell you at the free on-site consultation. See also our guide to wraparound and side return extensions, where steelwork is often central to the design.
Working with your builder
During construction, builders sometimes find conditions that differ from what was expected, such as an existing lintel in a different place or a foundation that is shallower than assumed. Because our drawings and the structural calculations are coordinated, it is easier to adapt the design quickly and keep building control informed. We remain available to answer questions about the drawings while the work is under way.
Getting started
Every project starts with a free on-site consultation with no-obligation quotation. We look at the walls you want to open up or the roof you want to convert and explain what structural work is likely to be involved before any drawings are prepared.
Recent jobs
- New open plan staircase and rear extension on a large property (Whiteley, Fareham)
We work across Hampshire, roughly 40 miles around our Whiteley office, with occasional projects in London. See the areas we cover.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need structural drawings to remove a wall?
If the wall is load bearing, yes. Building control will need calculations and details showing how the loads will be supported.
Can structural drawings be done without full building regulations drawings?
For small jobs such as a single wall removal, yes. For extensions and lofts they are best prepared alongside the full building regulations package.
What are structural calculations for?
They show building control that beams, lintels and foundations are correctly sized for the loads they carry, and they tell your builder what to order.
Do structural calculations need to match the drawings?
Yes. We coordinate them with the building regulations drawings so the sizes and positions agree.
Will I need calculations for a knock-through?
Usually, if the wall is load bearing. A beam and its supports will need to be sized and shown on the drawings.