StructuralEngineer.ie's summary of published 2026 Irish cost guides: a structural engineer in Dublin typically costs €400–€900 for a single wall removal, €1,200–€3,500 for extension structural design, €800–€2,500 for an attic conversion, and €400–€800 for a pre-purchase structural survey. Hourly rates run €90–€180.
Structural engineer cost depends on the job far more than on the engineer. A single steel beam is a small, well-defined piece of design. A two-storey extension on soft ground with BCAR certification is a much bigger one. The table below gives the published ranges, followed by what drives them.
Typical fees by job type (2026)
| Job | Typical fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single wall removal / RSJ calcs | €400–€900 | Visit, calcs, drawing; check inspection and cert are included |
| Single-storey rear extension design | €1,200–€2,200 | Foundations, opening steel, roof |
| Two-storey or wraparound extension | €2,000–€3,500 | Can rise to €5,000 with site investigation |
| Attic conversion engineering | €800–€2,500 | Floor, trusses, dormer steel |
| Pre-purchase structural survey | €400–€800 | Larger and period houses higher |
| Standalone structural report | €600–€1,200 | e.g. a specific defect |
| Crack or subsidence investigation | €600–€1,200 | Monitoring and trial pits extra |
| Hourly rate (chartered engineer) | €90–€180 | Open-ended work |
Some engineers price larger projects as a percentage of the build cost. Published figures range from 1–2% to 2–3% for residential work.
The three ways engineers charge
Fixed fee. The most common model for domestic work, and the easiest to compare. A good fixed-fee quote lists exactly what is included: visits, calcs, drawings, inspections and certificates.
Hourly. Common for investigations where the scope isn’t known at the start, such as unexplained cracking or an insurance dispute. Ask for an estimate and a cap.
Percentage of build cost. Used on larger projects. It’s less transparent for a homeowner, because the fee moves with the builder’s price.
What a complete quote includes
The single biggest difference between a cheap quote and a fair one is what happens after the calcs:
- A site visit, not a design from photos only
- Calculations to the Eurocodes and a drawing your builder can price
- A steel schedule your fabricator can cut from
- A propping or temporary-works sequence
- An inspection before the work is covered
- A signed opinion of compliance, or BCAR certificates over 40 m²
Leave out the last two and you save a little now but may pay more later, when a buyer’s solicitor asks for a certificate and the steel is behind plasterboard.
What pushes a fee up
- Span and load. Wide openings, two storeys above, roof struts and chimneys
- Ground. Trees on clay, made ground, drains and river ground all mean deeper foundation design and sometimes trial holes
- Party walls. Bearing into a shared wall brings neighbour considerations under the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009
- Period and protected houses. Solid masonry, lime mortar and planning constraints take longer to assess
- BCAR. Acting as designer and assigned certifier on an extension over 40 m² means an inspection plan and statutory certificates
How to get a firm number
Send the engineer the address, the type and age of house, what you want to do, and photos or drawings. StructuralEngineer.ie confirms a fixed fee in writing before the visit, so you know the engineering cost before anyone comes out. For a rough figure first, try the structural engineer cost calculator.
Bottom line
Budget €400–€900 for a single wall, €1,200–€3,500 for an extension and €400–€800 for a pre-purchase survey in Dublin in 2026. Make sure the quote includes an inspection before covering and a signed certificate. For a fixed fee for your job, call 01 270 9764.
Want a fixed fee for your job? Call 01 270 9764.
Callback the same working day. Fixed fee confirmed in writing before the visit.
Frequently asked questions
Do structural engineers charge by the hour in Ireland?
Some do, typically €90–€180 an hour for a chartered engineer. For defined domestic jobs such as a wall removal, an extension design or a survey, most quote a fixed fee, which is easier to compare. Hourly rates are more common for open-ended investigations and expert-witness work.
Is the engineer's fee included in my builder's price?
Sometimes. Design-and-build firms often include engineering in the build price. The trade-off is independence: an engineer you appoint directly works for you, inspects the builder's work against the design, and issues the certificate to you.
Why do engineer quotes vary so much?
Mostly because of what's left out. One quote might cover calcs only, while another includes the site visit, drawings, steel schedule, inspections and a signed certificate. Compare like for like, and ask whether the inspection before covering and the opinion of compliance are included.
Sources
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