The question of when you do and do not need a structural engineer site visit is a common one asked by anybody seeking to approach an engineer to support and aid their project.
Many people are under the impression that when hiring an engineer, a site visit is a necessary part of the process, however this may not be true. Our blog will detail what a structural engineer site visit contains, what the cost of such a visit is, and if a structural engineer site visit is required on every project.
What is Included in a Structural Engineer Site Visit?
Often, a structural engineer site visit will be included as standard in an engineer’s price – supposedly to address any perceived unknowns that may not be included in the architectural plans.
Architectural plans are a representation of the geometry and material make-up of the the building. They therefore serve the purpose (amongst others) of directing the builder on where to put the building, how big it will be, and what materials they should use to build it. Seeing as the builder uses the plans to know what to build, it stands to reason they should form the basis by which an engineer produces structural calculations for the building. This is perfectly normal industry practise.
All this isn’t to say that there can’t be some value in a site inspection. There can occasionally be additional pieces of non-essential detail that can be obtained via a visual inspection that can smooth the process, however it is often diminishing return on investment given the price (see below). Mostly, it’s an opportunity for the homeowner to put a face to a name, and establish a level of human interaction that some find comforting. There is also sometimes a level of nervousness as to how it is possible for an engineer to provide calculations for a project without visiting the property. As per the logic outlined in the previous paragraph, this nervousness is misplaced.
What Does a Structural Engineering Site Visit Cost?
The average cost of a structural engineer site visit is something between £250 – £600 + VAT. The two main factors that can affect this price would be the distance the engineer will need to travel, and what needs to be done, as this initial cost only covers getting the expert on site. Anything above this remit will add to the price.
Things that can alter the price of a structural engineering site visit include:
- The location of the site relative to the engineer
- Details of the project
- Intricacies related to the specifics of the project
- The complication of the project
For more information on the structural engineering site visit costs, as well as the potential price of other engineering services, it is advised that you get in touch as soon as possible. At PorthouseDean, we recommend that you either browse our customer portal or enquire today.
Does a Structural Engineer Need to Visit a Site?
Historically, structural engineers were required to visit a site to better tailor their proposal or to advise on potential issues that may arise in the process. However, similar to how many businesses post-pandemic decided that employees coming to the office everyday did not lead to more productivity, many structural engineers firms feel that in-person visits are no longer always required.
At PorthouseDean we’re passionate about forging a relationship with all of our clients, one that we can hopefully build over many projects and many years. We never want to be perceived as ‘bleeding every penny’ out of a project. This is why we are constantly reviewing our service to ensure that our offering is not only as effective and efficient as possible, but that it gives value-for-money.
Many firms will present an in-person site visit as reassuring. However, in many cases it is actually unnecessary. Most of the things that will be covered in a structural engineer site visit will undoubtedly be dealt with naturally later in the process as things progress. All an in-person site visit will do, in many cases, is bring this process forward for an additional cost.
This is why when we’re brought onto a project, we will carefully weigh up what the necessary costs are. Therefore, if a client comes to us with an issue, we will consider whether a structural engineering site visit is needed, or if we can offer guidance just as well using more modern methods, such as video calls.
We offer something we refer to as a ‘virtual site visit’ in all of our quotes. This means that, should you wish, you are able to have a face-to-face video call with your project coordinator. This allows you to discuss any topics, ask any questions, or address any doubts that you may have.
For more information about exactly what a virtual site visit is, find out more here.
PorthouseDean: An Expert Service With You In Mind
If you are getting started with a project and are wondering whether you need a structural engineer site visit, it might be worth considering approaching an engineer directly. A high-quality high-experience structural engineering service should offer you guidance and transparency throughout.
At PorthouseDean we believe that the most important thing is that we offer high-quality structural calculations across a wide breadth of different types of projects, with hugely successful outcomes — and often without the need to conduct any unnecessary physical site inspections.
While there can, at times, be some benefits to conducting physical site visits, there are also many circumstances where it is unnecessary. It is not uncommon for a client to spend hundreds of pounds insisting on getting a structural engineer onto their site, without there truly being any real need.
We pride ourselves on the quality of our service, as well as the transparency and honesty that underpins everything we do. We work with over 1,000 clients every year and we are proud to offer each and every one of them a consistent level of service.
For more information about what our expert team of structural engineers can do for you, or if you have any questions, thoughts, or suggestions for us, we would love to hear from you. We are passionate about direct and honest communication at all times. This ensures that all perspectives are considered throughout. Contact us or request a quote today — alternatively, feel free to follow and message us on instagram @porthouse_engineers.
