What does a structural engineer cost in 2026?
Updated 29 September 2026
Structural engineers price by the job, or by the hour for anything open-ended. These ranges come from published UK cost guides. Prices vary by region and by how complicated the building is, so get two or three quotes.
Typical fees
| Job | Typical price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Beam (RSJ) calculations for removing a wall | around £200 on average; £60 to £950 depending on complexity | Checkatrade, HomeOwners Alliance |
| Calculations for a single-storey extension | from around £1,000; up to three times that for a large two-storey build | Checkatrade |
| Loft conversion or extension design consultation | £750 to £2,200 | HomeOwners Alliance |
| Inspection visit (for example, a crack) | £175 to £350; around £300 on average | MyBuilder, HomeOwners Alliance, Checkatrade |
| Structural report (for example, for a mortgage lender) | around £700 plus the visit; £500 to £2,000 depending on scope | Checkatrade, MyBuilder, HomeOwners Alliance |
| Hourly rate | £90 to £200 | HomeOwners Alliance, Homebuilding & Renovating |
These figures are the engineer’s fee only. The beam itself, the builder’s labour and building control fees are separate.
What pushes the price up
- Site visits: calculations done from photos and drawings cost less than a visit. Some engineers on this site say they work remotely for simple jobs; others always visit.
- Complexity: a single opening in one wall is simpler than removing a chimney breast, a two-storey extension, or anything on an older or unusual building.
- Drawings: some engineers provide calculations only; others also produce the drawings building control and your builder need.
- Changes on site: if the builder finds something unexpected, the engineer may need to revise the design.
Questions to ask before you book
- What exactly is included? Calculations, drawings, a site visit, answering building control’s questions?
- Is VAT included?
- How long will it take? Your builder or lender may be waiting on it.
- Are they chartered? Chartered status (MIStructE, MICE or CEng) shows the engineer has met a professional body’s standard. You can check CEng and IEng registration on the Engineering Council’s RegCheck. On this site, credentials show as “stated” until we’ve checked them (how we check).
- Do they have professional indemnity insurance? Ask for the level of cover.
Related guides
Find an engineer
Somerset & Wiltshire · North & East Yorkshire
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