Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, if you are removing a load-bearing wall to create an open-plan space, Building Control will require professional structural calculations. Our fixed-price service (from £450 inc VAT) provides the precise steel beam (RSJ) specifications, padstone details, and connection drawings your builder needs to ensure the project is safe and compliant.

The most reliable way is a professional assessment. As a rough guide, walls that run perpendicular to floor joists, or that sit above other walls or beams on lower floors, are more likely to be load-bearing. Party walls between semi-detached houses are almost always structural. If in doubt, our Non-Load-Bearing Wall Check (£240 inc VAT) gives you an official letter confirming the wall type.

We visit your property, assess the wall, design the steel beam (RSJ) and padstone arrangement, and provide a complete technical pack. Your builder uses this to order the steel and carry out the work. Building Control must inspect the installed steelwork before it is boxed in. We provide all the documentation needed for Building Control approval.

No. Any removal of a load-bearing wall requires Building Control notification and professional structural calculations. Without them, the work is unauthorised and could prevent you from selling or remortgaging in future. A builder who suggests skipping calculations is putting you at risk.

An SSI (Specific Structural Inspection) is a focused assessment of one specific concern — a crack, bulging wall, or surveyor red flag. A GSI (General Structural Inspection) covers the whole property's main structural elements. An SSI is from £480 inc VAT; a GSI is from £585 inc VAT. Not sure which you need? Call us and we'll advise honestly.

Yes. All our SSI and GSI inspections are carried out by ICE-Chartered Engineers (CEng MICE). Our reports are specifically designed to meet the requirements of major UK banks and building societies, including HSBC, Barclays, Halifax, Nationwide, and others.

Don't panic — many cracks are cosmetic or caused by normal settlement. A Specific Structural Inspection (SSI) by a Chartered Engineer will diagnose the cause, confirm the level of risk, and provide the report your lender needs. This is one of the most common situations we deal with, and in the majority of cases the outcome is reassuring.

Cracks wider than 1mm, diagonal or stepped through brickwork, or that appear to be getting wider should be investigated. Hairline cracks in plaster are usually cosmetic. Our engineers use professional gauges to determine whether movement is historic and stable, or active and progressive. We'll give you a straight answer.

We offer transparent, fixed-price packages. Wall Removal Calculations from £450 inc VAT, Specific Structural Inspections from £480 inc VAT, and General Structural Inspections from £585 inc VAT. There is no call-out charge and no hourly billing. See our full pricing page for details.

Our engineers visit all major Midlands towns at least once a week. We aim to visit within a few days of booking, and to deliver your report or calculation pack within 3–10 working days of the site visit. If a house sale or mortgage is time-critical, let us know and we'll prioritise.

Your Chartered Engineer prepares a detailed report. For wall removals, this includes beam sizes, padstone details, and drawings ready for Building Control. For inspections, it includes findings, causes, and clear recommendations. Reports are delivered electronically within 3–5 working days of the visit.

We cover 100+ postcodes across the East and West Midlands, including Leicester, Coventry, Nottingham, Derby, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Birmingham, and surrounding areas. A small Zone C surcharge applies to a limited number of locations at the edge of our coverage — always confirmed upfront.