# Structural Engineer Visit | What Happens, How Long, What to Prepare

> What happens on a structural engineer visit: what they check, how long it takes, what to have ready, and what you get afterwards. A plain guide for homeowners.

URL: https://structuralengineer.ie/guide/what-happens-structural-engineer-visit/

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# What Happens on a Structural Engineer Visit?

What the engineer looks at, how long it takes, what to have ready, and what arrives afterwards.

By StructuralEngineer.ie · Reviewed by Joachim Louw, CEng MIEI · Updated 19 October 2026

[StructuralEngineer.ie](https://structuralengineer.ie/)'s short answer: on a structural engineer visit, the engineer works out what the structure is carrying and what the ground and walls can take. That means looking in the attic, lifting a floorboard if needed, measuring openings, and checking for cracks, trees and drains. For a single wall it usually takes under an hour. Calcs, drawings or a report follow within days.

## What the engineer checks

It depends on the job, but most visits cover:

- **Load paths.** Which way the floor joists run, what sits on the wall, and what the roof bears on

- **The attic.** Roof type (trussed or cut), struts, purlins and water tanks

- **Walls and bearings.** Construction (block, brick or timber frame) and condition where new steel will sit

- **Cracking.** Width, pattern and location, if that’s the concern

- **Outside.** Trees, drains, manholes, boundaries and ground levels for extensions

- **Paperwork.** Drawings, planning history and any previous certificates

## How long it takes

| Job | Typical visit |
| --- | --- |
| Single wall removal | Under an hour |
| Extension design | About an hour, longer with trial holes |
| Attic conversion | About an hour |
| Crack or subsidence investigation | One to two hours |
| Pre-purchase structural survey | One to three hours, depending on the house |

## What to have ready

- Access to every room, the attic hatch and the back garden

- Any drawings, from the architect, the planning application or the builder

- What you want to do, with sizes if you have them, such as the opening width or the extension footprint

- Dates: when cracks appeared, when previous works were done

- Your timeline, such as a builder start date or a closing date

## What you get afterwards

- **Design jobs.** Calculations, drawings or marked-up sketches, and a steel schedule

- **Investigations.** A written report with findings, cause, seriousness and recommendations

- **Surveys.** A report with photos and next steps before you sign

- **Then** inspections during the work and a signed certificate at the end, where that’s part of the job

Timings at StructuralEngineer.ie: Site visit usually within 5 working days. Written report or calcs within 5 working days of the visit.

## Bottom line

The visit is short and practical. The engineer needs to see what bears on what. Have access, drawings and dates ready, and you’ll get a clear answer quickly. To book a visit with a fixed fee, call [01 270 9764](tel:+35312709764).

Want a fixed fee for your job? Call 01 270 9764.

Callback the same working day. Fixed fee confirmed in writing before the visit.

[Call 01 270 9764](tel:+35312709764)

[Request a fixed quote](https://structuralengineer.ie/contact/)

## Frequently asked questions

**Do I need to be home for the visit?**

Yes, or someone who can give access to every room, the attic and the garden. The engineer may also need to lift a floorboard or look behind a panel, so let them know if anything is fragile.

**Will the engineer give me an answer on the day?**

Often a verbal view on the day, such as 'yes, it's load-bearing' or 'that crack looks like shrinkage'. The calcs, drawings or written report follow.

**Can the visit be done by video?**

For a simple RSJ calc where the loads are clear, photos and measurements can be enough. For cracking, extensions, attics and anything uncertain, the engineer needs to see it.

Get a fixed engineering fee

Two short steps. We call back the same working day.

Prefer to talk? [Call 01 270 9764](tel:+35312709764). A live person answers during office hours.

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### More guides

- [How Much Does a Structural Engineer Cost in Dublin? (2026) Typical 2026 fees by job type, the three ways engineers charge, and what a complete quote should include, with sources for every figure.](https://structuralengineer.ie/guide/structural-engineer-cost-dublin/)
- [Do I Need a Structural Engineer to Remove a Wall? How to tell whether the wall is load-bearing, what the Building Regulations require, and why the certificate matters most when you sell.](https://structuralengineer.ie/guide/do-i-need-a-structural-engineer-to-remove-a-wall/)
- [Chartered Engineer vs Engineer: Who Can Sign Off Your Works? What the letters after an engineer's name mean, and why they matter for BCAR and for your buyer's solicitor.](https://structuralengineer.ie/guide/chartered-engineer-vs-engineer/)
- [Are Cracks in Walls Serious? How to Tell Crack width, pattern and whether it's moving: the three things that separate cosmetic cracks from structural ones.](https://structuralengineer.ie/guide/when-are-cracks-in-walls-serious/)