Structural steelwork inspection report
An inspection of installed structural steelwork, checking members, connections and bearings against the design.
About this service
Steel beams are often boxed in with plasterboard within days of being fitted. Once hidden, it is hard to tell whether the right section was used, whether the bolts were tightened, or whether the padstone beneath was ever built. Our steelwork inspection checks the installation while everything is still visible, so problems are dealt with before finishes go on and before Building Control is asked to sign off.
We inspect beams, columns, goalpost frames, cantilevers, flitch beams and connections in houses, flats and mixed-use buildings. Typical jobs include rear extensions with wide openings, loft conversions with steel floor or ridge beams, and chimney breast removals supported on steel. Where steel replaces a load-bearing wall, we also look at how the masonry above has been made good. Our guide to steel beams and padstones covers the basics.
Building Control may accept an engineer's report in place of their own detailed check, and buyers and lenders increasingly ask to see one where steel went in with little paperwork. Every report is signed off by a chartered engineer who is a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (MICE), giving it independent weight with your officer and anyone reviewing the property later.
When you need it
- Steel beams or frames have been installed
- Building Control asks for confirmation of the steelwork
- You want independent assurance on your contractor's work
What's included
- Inspection of steel members and connections
- Check of bearings, padstones and packing
- Notes on any corrections needed
How it works
- Check the design firstWe review the structural drawings and calculations to confirm the specified sections, bearing lengths, padstone sizes and connection details. If no design exists, we tell you before the visit rather than after.
- Inspect on siteWe confirm section sizes where markings allow, measure bearings, examine padstones and packing, check bolts, welds and plates, and note any fire or corrosion protection the design requires.
- Identify correctionsTypical findings include slate or timber used as packing, missing bolts, short bearings and gaps under the beam. We explain what needs fixing and whether it can be done without taking the steel out.
- Issue the reportYou receive a report with photographs and conclusions, suitable for Building Control. If a return visit is needed after corrections, we confirm what will be checked and record the outcome.
What you receive
Why bearings and packing matter as much as the beam
Most problems we find are not with the beam itself but with what it sits on. The load in a steel beam concentrates at its ends, and the brickwork beneath has to spread it safely. A padstone of the wrong size, a bearing shortened to make the steel fit, or a gap filled with broken brick can lead to crushing and cracking months later, long after the builder has left.
Packing should be steel shims or a dry-pack mortar that fully fills the gap so the beam bears evenly. Timber, slate and plastic wedges compress or decay over time. Connections need the same attention, because a bolt left finger-tight behaves very differently from one fully tightened. If steel went in with no engineer's design at all, a retrospective structural assessment is usually the better starting point.
Projects that used this service
Frequently asked questions
Does Building Control need to see steel beams before they are covered?
Usually yes. Building Control will normally want to see the steel, its bearings and padstones before they are boxed in, and will either inspect it or ask for an engineer's report. If the steel has already been covered, sections of plasterboard may need to be opened up so the bearings can be seen and confirmed.
What is a padstone?
A padstone is a block of concrete or engineering brick placed under the end of a beam to spread its concentrated load into the wall below. Without one, ordinary brickwork or blockwork can crush under the beam end. Its size and material are set in the structural calculations and should be built exactly as drawn, with full bearing beneath the steel.
My builder used a different beam size. Is that a problem?
It might be fine, but it needs checking. A heavier section may work if it fits the bearings and does not overload the wall below, while a lighter or shallower one may not carry the load. Do not cover the steel until an engineer has confirmed the substitution in writing, otherwise Building Control may refuse to sign off.
How much does a steelwork inspection cost?
Our structural steelwork inspection report starts from £300 + VAT. That covers a site visit and report for a typical domestic installation, rising for larger frames or several visits. We confirm a fixed fee in writing before booking, so you know the cost before we attend site.