Choosing a Structural Engineer: What to Look For

Choosing a structural engineer can have a significant impact on how smoothly a project progresses.

For many clients, particularly those undertaking building work for the first time, it can be difficult to understand the difference between one structural engineering quotation and another. Fees may vary considerably, but the service being offered can also be very different.

A structural engineer should do more than produce calculations for Building Control. Good structural engineering should help develop a practical, efficient and buildable solution, provide clear information for the wider project team and reduce the risk of problems during construction.

What does a structural engineer actually do?

A structural engineer is responsible for developing a safe, compliant and buildable structural design.

This includes demonstrating that the structure meets the relevant Building Regulations, providing the calculations and drawings needed for approval, and working with the architect, contractor and other consultants to develop a solution that can be constructed efficiently.

A good structural engineer will therefore do much more than simply size beams. They will consider how the whole building works, how the structure interacts with the architectural design, how it will be built and what information is needed to help the project progress smoothly through approval and construction.

Depending on the project, this may include consideration of:

  • the existing structure and its condition;

  • foundations and ground conditions;

  • walls, beams, columns, floors and roofs;

  • overall building stability;

  • interactions between new and existing construction;

  • construction sequence and temporary conditions;

  • coordination with architectural layouts and other consultants;

  • buildability, access and construction cost.

Two engineers can therefore arrive at very different solutions to the same project. A design that is technically safe may still be unnecessarily expensive, difficult to construct or poorly coordinated with the rest of the building.

The engineer’s experience and the time allowed to properly consider the project can make a significant difference.

Qualifications and experience matter

Structural engineering is a specialist profession, but not everyone offering structural design services has the same level of qualification or experience.

Chartered Structural Engineer (MIStructE) status with the Institution of Structural Engineers provides an independently assessed benchmark of professional competence. Achieving Chartership requires extensive professional experience and development, followed by a rigorous Professional Review, including an interview and the Institution’s demanding Chartered Membership examination.

Chartered status is also becoming increasingly important when structural designs are reviewed by Building Control bodies, warranty providers and insurers. Evidence of an engineer’s qualifications and competence is now more commonly requested, and for some projects and types of structural work a Chartered Engineer may be specifically required.

Appointing a Chartered Structural Engineer from the outset therefore provides greater confidence in the design and can help avoid delays, additional reviews or questions over competence later in the project.

When appointing an engineer, it is worth asking:

  • Who will actually be carrying out the design?

  • What qualifications and experience do they have?

  • Will the project be reviewed by a Chartered Structural Engineer (MIStructE)?

  • Is there a wider team available if additional expertise or support is required?

  • Who will be available if questions arise later in the project?

It is not uncommon for the person initially discussing a project to be different from the person undertaking much of the design work. Understanding who will actually be responsible for the project is therefore important.

At Garrick Consulting Engineers, projects are handled by an established team of six Chartered Structural Engineers, supported by graduate engineers and experienced Structural Technicians, all working from our Surrey office.

This gives our clients access to experienced professionals while also providing the depth and continuity of a wider engineering team.

Structural engineering quotations are not always like-for-like

The lowest quotation is not always the best value, and a higher fee does not necessarily mean a better service. It is important to understand exactly what is included before comparing quotations.

One quotation may include a site visit, full structural design, foundations, stability, detailed drawings and coordination with the architect.

Another may be limited to individual calculations and basic sketches.

Before appointing a structural engineer, it is worth checking:

  • Is a site visit included?

  • Who will undertake the design?

  • Are foundations included?

  • Is the whole structure being considered, or only individual beams?

  • Are structural drawings included?

  • Will CAD files be provided?

  • Are connection details included where required?

  • Is coordination with the architect included?

  • Will the engineer respond to contractor or site queries?

  • Can additional site visits be arranged if unexpected issues arise?

  • Are changes to the design included or charged separately?

  • Does the consultant hold appropriate professional indemnity insurance?

A lower quotation may simply include less work. Before comparing fees, it is important to understand whether the service includes the design, coordination, drawings and ongoing support needed to help the project progress smoothly through approval and construction.

Calculations are only part of a good structural design

Structural calculations are essential, but they are only part of the information needed to construct a project successfully.

The design also needs to be clearly communicated.

Where structural information is unclear, contractors may be left to interpret the engineer’s intentions on site. This can lead to questions, delays, discrepancies between drawings and, in some cases, changes after construction has started.

For almost all projects, Garrick Consulting Engineers provides structural drawings prepared in CAD and issued in DWG format, unless agreed otherwise.

This allows architects to coordinate our structural information directly with their own drawings and gives contractors clearer information to work from.

The benefits include:

  • improved coordination between structural and architectural information;

  • fewer assumptions being left to the contractor;

  • earlier identification of potential clashes;

  • clearer setting out and construction information;

  • easier incorporation of design changes;

  • reduced risk of avoidable issues arising on site.

For very simple projects, such as a single beam, a full set of CAD drawings may not be proportionate. In these situations, we can provide a simpler sketch-based service where preferred.

Good engineering can reduce construction costs and problems on site

The structural engineering fee is usually a relatively small part of the overall project cost, but the decisions made during the structural design can influence a much larger proportion of the construction budget.

An unnecessarily conservative or poorly coordinated design can result in:

  • heavier steelwork than required;

  • unnecessarily complex connections;

  • oversized foundations;

  • avoidable temporary works;

  • difficult construction sequences;

  • clashes with ceilings, doors, windows or services;

  • changes after work has already started;

  • errors and delays on site.

A good engineer should look beyond whether a design simply works.

The aim should be to develop the most appropriate solution for the project, taking account of the architecture, construction method, site constraints and cost.

At Garrick Consulting Engineers, we use modern structural analysis, design and drawing software to assess projects efficiently and develop practical, proportionate solutions.

Technology allows us to analyse options quickly, respond efficiently to design changes and produce coordinated information. However, software does not replace engineering judgement. The value comes from combining modern technology with the experience to understand the building, identify the important issues and select the right solution.

Communication becomes particularly important during construction

Even a well-designed project can uncover unexpected conditions once work starts.

Existing buildings may differ from old drawings. Walls may be constructed differently from expected. Foundations may be shallower than anticipated. Services, hidden structure or previous alterations may only become apparent once areas are opened up.

When this happens, it is important that the engineer is accessible.

Before appointing a structural engineer, clients should consider:

  • How easy will they be to contact?

  • Will they respond when the contractor has a question?

  • Is there administrative support to make sure enquiries are dealt with?

  • Can they attend site at short notice where necessary?

  • Is there a wider team available if the original engineer is unavailable?

At Garrick Consulting Engineers, our engineering team is supported by a dedicated secretary and an office manager.

Clients, architects and contractors can communicate directly with the engineers working on their projects, and our Surrey-based team can often attend sites across Surrey, London and the South East at short notice where required.

What should you expect from a structural engineer?

Every project is different, but clients should reasonably expect:

  • qualified and experienced professionals;

  • a clear scope of work before appointment;

  • practical and proportionate design solutions;

  • consideration of the wider building, not just isolated elements;

  • clear drawings and construction information;

  • coordination with the architect and wider project team;

  • responsive communication;

  • access to support when unexpected issues arise.

The right structural engineer should not simply provide a set of calculations.

They should help make the project easier to design, coordinate and build.

At Garrick Consulting Engineers, this is the standard we aim to provide on every project.