Reliable calculations for Trafford residential builds and renovations.
Based in Manchester, with engineers around the country for site visits. We've worked extensively across Greater Manchester and know Trafford well — the Post-war suburbs → regeneration Brick semis, modern flats, the party wall situations that come with them.
More importantly, we know how Trafford Council’s building control team operates and we write our calculations to match. That saves time on site and avoids queries coming back.
PorthouseDean provides structural engineering for extensions, knock-throughs, loft conversions, and two-storey extensions in Trafford. With 1,000+ calculations completed across Greater Manchester, our engineers understand the area's Post-war suburbs → regeneration Brick semis, modern flats properties, ensuring every design accounts for local building characteristics and Glacial clay ground conditions. Our most recent project in the area was a single storey extension completed in Jan 2026.
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.
Every job runs through the same process, so every customer gets the same three answers.
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.
Pick how fast you need it, and pay less if you can wait. You get a date to work back from.
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.
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.
No extras for building control queries.
A fixed price before you commit. No obligation, no chasing.
It depends on the size and complexity of your project, so we don't publish a price range for Trafford. 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 Trafford's Post-war suburbs - regeneration properties. Our engineers aim to understand the specific requirements of your property from Brick semis, modern flats construction, ensuring calculations that respect the original structure while meeting modern standards.
Trafford typically has Glacial clay. Glacial deposits over sandstone. We factor these conditions into our foundation designs, which may affect the depth and type of foundations required.
On a full plans application, Trafford 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.
We provide structural calculations throughout Trafford and the surrounding Greater Manchester area. Our engineers regularly work on projects across the region, and you choose the delivery date that suits you.
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.
Understanding Trafford's unique characteristics helps us deliver precise structural solutions.
Structural Engineering Excellence in Greater Manchester
Choosing the right structural engineer means finding someone who truly understands your area. We specialize in Greater Manchester properties, working regularly with everything from Post-war suburbs → regeneration homes built with Brick semis, modern flats. This local expertise means our designs are written to satisfy Trafford Council building regulations.
Successful structural projects begin with proper foundation design. Greater Manchester’s typical Glacial clay presents specific engineering requirements. Glacial deposits over sandstone We incorporate this geological knowledge throughout our calculations, ensuring safe, durable foundations for extensions, conversions, and renovations.
Semi-detached interwar, new apartment blocks This diversity means we’ve developed expertise across all property types – whether you’re extending a period property near Old Trafford Stadium or renovating a modern home with easy access to Metrolink; M60 & M56 motorway.
We maintain strong working relationships with Trafford Council building control, streamlining approvals for your project. Our calculations are approved by building control, or you get a refund.
Coverage Across Greater Manchester
Operating throughout Greater Manchester and surrounding areas (population: 239 k), our services include:
• Loft conversion and roof extension calculations
• Extension designs – all configurations
• Internal structural alterations
• Steel beam and RSJ specifications
• Foundation and underpinning calculations
Request Your Free Greater Manchester Structural Engineering Quote
Starting your project? Get in touch with PorthouseDean for structural calculation pricing in Greater Manchester. You’ll have a detailed, fixed-fee quotation before you commit.
Send us your plans and you'll have a clear, fixed price before you commit. Or give us a call.