PorthouseDean Structural Engineers

An architect gets planning, a structural engineer signs off, then finds out about trees and clay soil. Suddenly, foundations need to be deeper, increasing costs. This could be caught early in feasibility.

My granddad always said, 'Pay cheap, pay twice.' I used to ignore it, but countless times I've bought something because it was cheap, only to regret it and buy it again. Look for quality indicators and transparency – they're often worth the extra cost.

Many believe every building project requires a structural engineer, but that's not always true. For smaller openings or standard extensions, guidance and off-the-shelf components often suffice. Structural engineers become essential when you deviate from standard practices, aiming for large openings, open-plan spaces, or removing significant walls.

You can't know if a wall is load-bearing just by looking. Joists running parallel or a timber stud above are clues, but not proof. The only way to be sure is to expose the structure and see what's resting on it. Then, an engineer can design support if needed.