Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about working with FM Structural.

Do I need a chartered engineer?

There's no legal requirement for structural calculations to be produced by a chartered engineer. Building Control assesses the technical content of submissions, not the qualifications of the author. What matters is that the work is done competently and the calculations demonstrate compliance with Part A of the Building Regulations. Many successful domestic projects use engineers who aren't chartered, provided the work is thorough and well-documented.

What do you need to provide a quote?

To quote accurately, we need: (1) existing and proposed architectural drawings, (2) photographs of the areas affected, (3) a brief description of what you're doing, and (4) your site postcode. The more detail you provide, the more accurate our quote will be. For straightforward work like wall removals, we can often quote from this information alone.

How do you deliver the work?

We deliver everything digitally by email. You'll receive PDF files including your calculation pack, drawings, and any supporting documentation. These are ready for you to forward to Building Control or your Approved Inspector. We don't charge extra for digital delivery or revisions within scope.

How long does a typical project take?

Most straightforward calculations (single beams, wall removals) are completed within 3-5 working days. Larger projects like full extension packages or loft conversions may take 1-2 weeks. If you need faster turnaround, let us know when you submit your enquiry and we'll do our best to accommodate.

What areas do you cover?

We work across Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, and the East Midlands. This includes Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, and the surrounding areas. For projects outside these areas, get in touch anyway – we may still be able to help.

Do you do site visits?

For many projects, we can work from plans and photographs without visiting site. For larger projects, surveys, or situations where we need to see existing construction, we arrange site visits. These are quoted separately when needed.

How does payment work?

We provide a fixed-price quote before starting work. For most projects, payment is due when we issue the final pack. Larger projects may have staged payments. We accept bank transfer and major cards.

What if Building Control has questions?

We respond to Building Control queries at no extra charge, provided they're within the original scope of work. If the scope changes significantly, we'll discuss any additional fees before proceeding.

Can you help with party wall matters?

Yes, we offer party wall services including serving notices, preparing schedules of condition, and acting as appointed or agreed surveyor. See our party wall page for more details.

What documents will I receive?

A typical pack includes: structural calculation PDF, construction drawings to scale, a schedule of steelwork or timber (where applicable), stated assumptions and limitations, issue sheet with revision history, and a summary suitable for Building Control correspondence.

Will my calculations be accepted by Building Control?

Yes. Our calculations are prepared in accordance with Building Regulations Part A (Structure) and Approved Document A. We design to current British Standards (BS EN 1990-1999 Eurocodes) and provide all supporting documentation Building Control requires. Our work is regularly accepted by local authority Building Control and Approved Inspectors across our coverage area. If Building Control raises queries, we respond at no extra charge.

Do I need a structural engineer or just a beam calculation?

It depends on your project. For straightforward domestic work—removing a single wall, installing one steel beam—a standalone beam calculation is often sufficient. For anything more complex (extensions, loft conversions, significant alterations, non-standard construction), you need a structural engineer to assess the whole picture. Unlike template-only services, FM Structural handles both: we can provide quick beam calcs for simple jobs, or full structural design packages for complex projects. If you're unsure, describe your project when you enquire and we'll advise what level of service you actually need.

What if my project doesn't fit a standard template?

That's where we differ from template-only services. While we offer 47 standard calculation templates for common scenarios, we're a full structural engineering consultancy. If your project is non-standard—unusual construction, heritage building, complex loading, awkward geometry—we design it from first principles. Template services like BuildCalcs can't handle this; we can. Just describe your project in the enquiry form and we'll quote accordingly.

Still have questions?

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