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.
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 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. A live person answers during office hours.