Remote Structural Design: How We Ensure Integrity Without Site Visits

PorthouseDean is a remote structural engineering consultancy. We design structures for projects across the UK without visiting site. This is our standard service model — not an exception — and it has been successfully applied to over 9,000 projects with a 100% Building Regulations approval record.

Here is how remote design achieves the same quality outcomes as site-visit-based services.

How Remote Design Works

Information-Led Design

Everything starts with information. PorthouseDean’s design is based on:

– Architectural drawings provided by the client or their designer — floor plans, sections, elevations
– Site photographs taken by the client at key structural locations (beam ends, foundation zones, existing wall construction)
– Google Street View / Google Maps for external context and property type identification
– Ordnance Survey and geological survey data for ground conditions context
– Client descriptions of any site-specific anomalies or constraints

The more complete and accurate this information is, the more precise the structural design can be. Our Design Information Request (sent at instruction) specifies exactly what is needed.

Conservative Design Assumptions

Where information is incomplete or uncertain, PorthouseDean designs conservatively — using assumptions that are safe regardless of the actual condition. For example:

– Where existing floor loads are uncertain, we design for the maximum domestic imposed load (1.5 kN/m² + self-weight)
– Where ground conditions are unconfirmed, we size foundations for typical London Clay conditions unless the client provides a ground investigation report
– Where existing construction is uncertain, we specify conservative self-weights

This approach means the design is valid even if site conditions prove to be within the assumed range. If site conditions prove to be significantly different from assumptions, the client or contractor should raise a Change Request.

Contractor Responsibility for As-Built Dimensions

PorthouseDean provides designs with nominal dimensions based on the architectural drawings. Contractors are always responsible for verifying actual site dimensions before fabricating steelwork. Our drawings state clearly that fabricated dimensions must be confirmed from site.

This is no different from the contractor’s responsibility on a site-visit scheme. The structural engineer gives the design intent; the contractor confirms it can be built as designed from their site inspection.

Change Request Process

When site conditions diverge from the design assumptions — a beam cannot land as drawn, an existing wall is a different construction, a foundation depth is insufficient — the client or contractor raises a Change Request. PorthouseDean reviews the Change Request, amends the design if necessary, and issues revised drawings.

This agile process replaces the informal site instruction that an engineer on site might give verbally.

Is the Design Accepted by Building Control?

Yes. PorthouseDean’s structural packages are submitted to Building Authorities across England and Wales and are routinely accepted. BCOs check that the design meets Building Regulations — they are checking the design content, not the delivery method of the engineering service.

What Remote Design Cannot Do

Remote design is not suited to every project. The following typically require a site visit by a qualified professional before engineering design can proceed:

– Structural surveys of existing buildings of unknown construction
– Investigation of existing foundations where no drawings exist and trial pits have not been dug
– Buildings with suspected structural damage or active movement

For these, PorthouseDean can recommend specialist surveyors and building pathology consultants.

Start your project with PorthouseDean — 9,000+ projects, 100% Building Regulations approval, average 7-day turnaround.