PorthouseDean

Structural Engineers in Devon

Residential structural engineering that doesn't leave you guessing

A clear price. A delivery date you choose. Every step, in one place.

Tell us about your project
★ Trustpilot Excellent90+ reviews 9,000+ projects since 2012

We know Devon's housing stock and what Devon County Council (plus District & Unitary Authorities) expects

Comprehensive structural services for homes across Devon.

Based in Manchester, with engineers around the country for site visits. We've worked extensively across Devon — the Pre-Roman → Modern Cob and thatch cottages, granite farmhouses, seaside villas, modern housing, the party wall situations that come with them.

More importantly, we know how Devon County Council (plus District & Unitary Authorities)’s building control team operates and we write our calculations to match. That saves time on site and avoids queries coming back.

Local knowledge

◆ Projects completed across Devon and surrounding areas
◆ Familiar with Highly variable: Slate, sandstone, granite, and clay soils ground conditions and what that means for your foundations
◆ Experience with Pre-Roman → Modern properties and the structural challenges they present
◆ Working near Dartmoor & Exmoor National Parks, Jurassic Coast, Exeter Cathedral and the surrounding neighbourhood
◆ Site visits arranged locally when your project needs one

PorthouseDean provides structural engineering for extensions, knock-throughs, loft conversions, and two-storey extensions in Devon, and has delivered 9,000+ projects across England and Wales since 2012.

Structural engineering is the core of it. It isn’t where we stop.

The calculations and drawings are ours. So are the things around them that usually land on you: a date you can plan around, one place where everyone sees the same documents, and the change of mind nobody priced for. More than 9,000 projects since 2012 have run through the same process, from a single wall removal to a whole new build.

Three things you always know

Every job runs through the same process, so every customer gets the same three answers.

The price, before you commit

Tell us about the project and we’ll tell you the price and the steps that follow. No hourly rate. If the job changes, there is a free change request on every job.

The turnaround, chosen by you

Pick how fast you need it, and pay less if you can wait. You get a date to work back from.

Every step, in one place

Never wonder where it’s up to — just look. Your project hub shows what is happening now, what is next and anything we need from you, with your drawings, documents and invoice alongside. Share it directly with everyone involved in your project.

One document for building control, one for your builder

Building control gets the calculations. Your builder gets the contractor pack. If either of them has a question about the structure, it comes to us, not to you. How we check and what the process looks like.

9,000+projects since 2012
1free change request on every job

Fixed fee. No surprises after you've committed.

No extras for building control queries.

100% building control approval
Our calculations are approved by building control. If yours aren’t, you get a refund.
Full structural calculations
Detailed enough for your builder to work from without calling anyone. Delivered on the date you choose.
Unlimited BC queries
Building control come back with questions — we deal with every one. If they want changes, we make them.
One free amendment
Projects change — we know that. One design amendment included in every quote as standard.
Virtual site visit
A face-to-face video call with your engineer to talk through specific design requirements. Included in your quote.
Direct engineer access
A booking link to schedule meetings with your engineer directly, plus tech support for urgent queries.

Recent Projects Near Devon

Example of a bespoke / specific calcs — the type of work we carry out in Devon

Bespoke / specific calcs

EX19EXSep 2025
Example of a two-storey extension — the type of work we carry out in Devon

Two-storey extension

EX17EXOct 2019
Example of a two-storey extension — the type of work we carry out in Devon

Two-storey extension

EX54EEXNov 2020
Example of a loft conversion — the type of work we carry out in Devon

Loft conversion

EX38EXMay 2022
Example of a new-build — the type of work we carry out in Devon

New-build

EX12EXMay 2021

Send us your plans

A fixed price before you commit. No obligation, no chasing.

What people say

★★★★★
I've used PorthouseDean engineers for many of our clients and my personal project. I find their pricing fair to reflect the quality work that has been produced. Definitely recommend.
— Clinton Johnson · Trustpilot
★★★★★
I was referred to them by the building control designers. I found them responsive and helpful. The engineering came through quickly for building control and as I needed them to get contractors quotes. Fair and reasonable price for the excellent service.
— Oasis · Trustpilot
★★★★★
The internal structural walls changed at least 3 times and the engineer assigned to me was very accommodating with the changes. I liked the fact that the work they do is peer-checked. Would not hesitate to use them again.
— Phil Neo · Trustpilot

Frequently Asked

It depends on the size and complexity of your project, so we don't publish a price range for Devon. Tell us about your project and you get a clear, fixed-fee quote before you commit.

Sure, we have worked on a wide variety of Devon's Pre-Roman - Modern properties. Our engineers aim to understand the specific requirements of your property from Cob and thatch cottages, granite farmhouses, seaside villas, modern housing construction, ensuring calculations that respect the original structure while meeting modern standards.

Devon typically has Highly variable: Slate, sandstone, granite, and clay soils. Varied: Devonian slates, Culm Measures, Permian red beds, Dartmoor granite. We factor these conditions into our foundation designs, which may affect the depth and type of foundations required.

On a full plans application, the council has five weeks to decide, or longer if you both agree it in writing (regulation 14A of the Building Regulations 2010). On a building notice there is no plans decision: building control checks the work, and our calculations, as it goes. If they raise a question about the structure, your engineer answers it.

It's a key factor. Building on the solid granite of Dartmoor is very different from the red sandstones around Exeter or the slates of the South Hams. We analyse the specific ground conditions at your site to provide the correct, most cost-effective foundation design.

If you're removing a wall, converting a loft, building an extension, or doing anything that affects the structure of your house — yes. Building control will require structural calculations before they sign off the work.

A virtual site visit is included in every quote — it's a chance to put a face to the name and talk through specific design requirements with your engineer. But we don't believe a physical visit is necessary for most residential projects. Working remotely allows us to be more economical while maintaining the same quality throughout. If your project does need a physical visit, we have engineers around the country who can arrange one.

On the date you choose when you book. The price follows the date: pick a later one and it costs less, or an earlier one if you need them sooner.

Every quote includes one free amendment because we know projects change — that's normal. Beyond that, we'll quote any further changes clearly so there are no surprises.

The quote's not the product — the project is. The moments that cost you come later: when building control query something, or your builder can't follow the drawings. That's why BC queries, an amendment and a virtual site visit are included — it's where projects actually succeed or fail.

Local Area Information

Understanding Devon's unique characteristics helps us deliver precise structural solutions.

Population
1.2M
Building Era
Pre-Roman → Modern
Soil Conditions
Highly variable: Slate, sandstone, granite, and clay soils
Local Authority
Devon County Council (plus District & Unitary Authorities)
Housing Stock
Diverse mix of rural cottages, coastal towns, and city suburbs
Transport Links
M5 motorway, A38, A30, Great Western Main Line
Engineering Note: Varied: Devonian slates, Culm Measures, Permian red beds, Dartmoor granite

Structural engineering services in Devon

Structural Engineering Excellence in South West

Choosing the right structural engineer means finding someone who truly understands your area. We specialize in South West properties, working regularly with everything from Pre-Roman → Modern homes built with Cob and thatch cottages, granite farmhouses, seaside villas, modern housing. This local expertise means our designs are written to satisfy Devon County Council (plus District & Unitary Authorities) building regulations.

Foundation Design for South West’s Soil Types

Successful structural projects begin with proper foundation design. South West’s typical Highly variable: Slate, sandstone, granite, and clay soils presents specific engineering requirements. Varied: Devonian slates, Culm Measures, Permian red beds, Dartmoor granite We incorporate this geological knowledge throughout our calculations, ensuring safe, durable foundations for extensions, conversions, and renovations.

Local Expertise, Professional Service

Diverse mix of rural cottages, coastal towns, and city suburbs This diversity means we’ve developed expertise across all property types – whether you’re extending a period property near Dartmoor & Exmoor National Parks, Jurassic Coast, Exeter Cathedral or renovating a modern home with easy access to M5 motorway, A38, A30, Great Western Main Line.

We maintain strong working relationships with Devon County Council (plus District & Unitary Authorities) building control, streamlining approvals for your project. Our calculations are approved by building control, or you get a refund.

Serving South West and Surrounding Areas

We provide structural engineering services for all types of residential projects across South West:

• Loft conversions and dormer extensions
• Single and double-storey rear extensions
• Side return and wrap-around extensions
• Internal alterations and load-bearing wall removals
• Foundation design and underpinning calculations

Request Your Free South West Structural Engineering Quote

Starting your project? Get in touch with PorthouseDean for structural calculation pricing in South West. You’ll have a detailed, fixed-fee quotation before you commit.

Ready to get started?

Send us your plans and you'll have a clear, fixed price before you commit. Or give us a call.