Alterations &
Refurbishments
Assessment and design of structural modifications to existing buildings.
What We Do
We provide structural design for alterations to existing buildings, including the removal of load-bearing walls, formation of new openings, installation of steel beams, and strengthening of existing structures.
Each project begins with an assessment of the existing structure to understand load paths and identify the most practical structural solution.
Scope of Service
Load-Bearing Wall Removal
Design of steel beams and supporting structures to replace load-bearing walls and create open-plan layouts.
New Structural Openings
Assessment and design for new door and window openings in existing walls, including lintel and padstone details.
Structural Strengthening
Design of strengthening works to existing floors, walls, and roofs to support increased loads or change of use.
Condition Assessment
Assessment of existing structural elements to determine load capacity and suitability for proposed alterations.
How It Works
Initial Consultation
We discuss your project requirements, review architectural drawings, and establish the scope of structural work needed.
Site Assessment
Where required, we visit the site to assess existing conditions, take measurements, and identify any constraints that may affect the design.
Design & Calculations
We produce full structural calculations and drawings, ready for Building Control submission and contractor use.
Construction Support
We remain available throughout the build to answer site queries, review conditions, and provide amended details where needed.
Frequently Asked
If the wall is load-bearing, then yes — you legally need a structural engineer. Building Regulations require any work to a load-bearing wall to be designed by a competent person, and Building Control will not sign off the works without supporting calculations. Even if you think the wall is non-load-bearing, it is worth a quick check, because getting it wrong can lead to cracking, sagging floors, or in serious cases partial collapse.
There is no completely reliable way to tell without inspecting the property, but the usual indicators are: walls that run perpendicular to the floor joists above, walls that line up with walls on the floor above, walls thicker than internal stud partitions, and walls that sit directly above a structural beam or foundation. A structural engineer can confirm definitively after a short site visit, often in the same visit as the design discussion.
There is no standard answer — the beam size depends on the span, the loads coming down from above (floors, walls, roof), and the bearing arrangement at each end. As a rough guide, a typical residential opening of 3 to 4 metres often calls for a 152, 178 or 203mm deep universal beam, but this must be confirmed by calculation. We assess each opening individually and provide the beam specification along with padstone and bearing details.
Yes, always. Removing or altering a load-bearing wall is notifiable structural work under Part A of the Building Regulations. You will need to submit a Building Notice or Full Plans application to your local authority Building Control or an Approved Inspector, supported by structural calculations and drawings. We provide everything needed for the submission as part of our standard service.