Home alteration structural package
Structural design for internal alterations such as wall removals and chimney breast changes, through to Building Control approval.
About this package
The home alteration structural package covers internal structural changes from the first visit through to Building Control approval. Typical projects include removing a load-bearing wall between kitchen and dining room, taking out a chimney breast, widening an opening or reconfiguring a staircase. One fixed fee covers the inspection, the calculations and drawings, and dealing with Building Control's questions until the structure is approved.
It suits homeowners creating an open-plan ground floor, builders who need calculations before they can start, and landlords reconfiguring a flat. It is designed for internal work rather than extensions, so it stays proportionate to the job. If your project grows to include a rear extension or loft, we can fold the alteration into a larger package rather than duplicating effort.
Bundling matters here because the three stages depend on each other. The design is only as good as the information gathered on site, and Building Control often comes back with questions about bearings, padstones or fire protection to steel. With all three under one fee, the engineer who designed the work answers them quickly. Before anything is issued, the design passes our three-step quality control, with final sign-off by our Head of Engineering.
What the package brings together
- Site inspection
- Structural calculations and drawings
- Building Control queries
Stages
- Site inspectionWe visit to see the wall, chimney or opening, check what it supports above, confirm the direction of floor joists and identify where new beams can bear. This avoids designing from assumptions that do not match the house.
- Structural calculations and drawingsWe design the new beams, padstones, columns and any temporary propping, and produce calculations and drawings your builder can price and build from. These are the documents Building Control needs to approve the structural work.
- Building Control queriesWe send the calculations and drawings to Building Control and answer their questions. If an inspector asks about bearing details, fire protection or connections, we respond directly so your builder is not left waiting on site.
Who it suits
- Knocking through between kitchen and dining room
- Removing a chimney breast on one or more floors
- Widening a doorway in a load-bearing wall
- Creating an open-plan flat layout
- Builders who need calculations before starting
How it works
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a wall is load-bearing?
Clues include walls running at right angles to floor joists, walls directly above or below other walls, and walls that carry a staircase or part of the roof. Appearances can mislead, though, especially in older houses that have already been altered. Our site inspection confirms it. Our guide on removing a wall explains the signs in more detail.
Can I remove a chimney breast and leave the stack above?
Often, yes, but the remaining masonry must be properly supported, usually on a steel beam or, where suitable, on brackets. Removing a breast without support is a common problem found during house sales. The design will show the support needed, and Building Control will need to approve it. Party wall notices may also apply where the chimney is shared.
How long until my builder can start?
Our typical turnaround for calculations and drawings is 10 working days from the site visit, confirmed in writing with the fixed fee. Building Control timing depends on whether you use a full plans application or a building notice, and on the authority's workload. Many builders start once the design is issued, subject to Building Control's agreement.
Do I need a different package if I am also extending?
If the alteration is part of a rear or side extension, the extension structural package usually covers it, along with the foundations and roof. For a loft conversion with internal changes, the loft package can include them. We will advise which route covers your whole project most efficiently when you send us your drawings.