A structural engineer is an expert in the structure of a building—they will be able to assess how safe a building is and how sound its overall structure. How can you tell if you need to call in a structural engineer for your own project?

Extensions

Any kind of extension to a building will probably need a structural engineer. The extension will be free-standing, and so it is vital that the structure is strong enough to stand on its own and that the walls will be strong enough to support the weight of the structure. It is not always obvious to a layperson how to make a building free-standing, and expensive and dangerous mistakes will be avoided by calling in an expert. The engineer will be able to provide the calculations to show what types of materials need to be used, and how much of them.

Internal walls

Any project that involves modifying or removing internal walls will need to be inspected by a structural engineer. It can be disastrous to weaken or remove a load-bearing wall and such projects may require replacing the wall with a beam to replace its weight-carrying ability. A structural engineer will be able to tell you if this is necessary and will design the beam that you will need to replace the wall.

Roofs

If your building is in an area prone to severe storms or cyclones, the integrity of the roof is paramount. You will need a structural engineer to inspect and ensure that the roof will survive a severe battering from the elements. They will also be able to diagnose and suggest remedies for existing problems. For example, if your roof is sagging or damaged in some other way, you may need a structural engineer to work out what has caused the problem.

Loft conversions

Although a loft conversion is unlikely to alter any of the building's existing structure, it may add a lot of weight to the top of the house. A structural engineer will be able to tell you how much weight you can safely add to the loft, and if there any other modifications you need to make to the rest of the house to support it.

A structural engineer can be a vital part of a building project. Get in touch with the experts today, and you will know that your building will be strong, long-lasting, and safe.