Anyone recommend a structural engineer for basement design anyone? Even better if they are in East Suffolk...

[Alan Ambrose]

As title says . I'm leaning towards RC / Sika Watertight / KORE or similar.

 

TIA, Alan

[Thorfun]

we used TSD for our basement and above ground foundations as we wanted an insulated slab. based in Ireland so didn't visit site but I was very happy with everything and the house is still standing 18 months on. 😉 

[Chanmenie]

I know one in south norfolk if that’s any good 

[Alan Ambrose]

@Thorfun - I see a lot of people are happy with TSD. I wonder how any SE signs off on the build though if they don't observe the construction? Also, since it's much harder to sue a foreign company, what would you do if there was a major problem later? Or am I worrying too much? 

 

@Chanmenie - Yeah that would be great.

 

Thanks, Alan

 

 

[Mr Punter]

5 minutes ago, Alan Ambrose said:

I wonder how any SE signs off on the build though if they don't observe the construction?

 

The SE is normally responsible for the design, not the construction.  I will sometimes call them back if there is something unanticipated on site, but very rarely.

[Alan Ambrose]

Call it belt and braces, but I would much rather the SE attended site once or twice at the critical phases to ensure that what is being built is what he or she intended. I'm seeing a few comments like this on buildhub, so I'm not alone:

 

>>> A few hundred pounds spent with a local SE, who knows the ground conditions in your area would be money well spent.

 

>>> ... included two sites visits after trial holes were dug also included drainage design.

 

So, I'm not alone.

 

Alan

[Thorfun]

2 hours ago, Alan Ambrose said:

Call it belt and braces, but I would much rather the SE attended site once or twice at the critical phases to ensure that what is being built is what he or she intended. I'm seeing a few comments like this on buildhub, so I'm not alone:

 

>>> A few hundred pounds spent with a local SE, who knows the ground conditions in your area would be money well spent.

 

>>> ... included two sites visits after trial holes were dug also included drainage design.

 

So, I'm not alone.

 

Alan

for me the quotes I was getting back from 'local' SEs when compared to TSD was a lot more than a few hundred pounds! and they have the expertise in the insulated slab that I wanted. with all the good reviews on here I was happy to go with them and they were really good with great customer service in responding to questions/queries even after their role was complete.

 

but I do completely understand having someone local to oversee things and if there was a local SE that specialised in insulated slabs maybe I'd have given them an opportunity. but, as with a lot of things in the building game, that's not how they've always done it and so I didn't find any. 🙂 

[Chanmenie]

3 hours ago, Alan Ambrose said:

@Thorfun - I see a lot of people are happy with TSD. I wonder how any SE signs off on the build though if they don't observe the construction? Also, since it's much harder to sue a foreign company, what would you do if there was a major problem later? Or am I worrying too much? 

 

@Chanmenie - Yeah that would be great.

 

Thanks, Alan

 

 

Company called Subteno 

the boss is Andrew Dye, if you ask for him tell him I recommended them

 

https://www.subteno.co.uk/

[Alan Ambrose]

Thanks Chanmenie,

 

>>> Company called Subteno

 

From their website, they look like proper engineers .

 

>>> but I do completely understand having someone local to oversee things and if there was a local SE that specialised in insulated slabs maybe I'd have given them an opportunity. but, as with a lot of things in the building game, that's not how they've always done it and so I didn't find any.

 

Understand - I've found that once you start looking at more specialised skills, there may only be one or two in your county - and that's if you're lucky.

 

Alan

[Conor]

We used a local SE but she didn't do any site visits (height of COVID). We just sent her lots of photos and took measurements when required at the critical phases. Worked out fine. Bear in mind each site visit will likely cost you £250 or so.