Recommendations for a good structural engineer.

[Dee J]

Looking for a good structural engineer for our build on the Devon/Cornwall border. We were strongly recommended to go with Michael Foulkes down in Looe. Sadly he is to oversubscribed to contemplate taking on our project. Any other recommendations?

[Bitpipe]

4 minutes ago, Dee J said:

Looking for a good structural engineer for our build on the Devon/Cornwall border. We were strongly recommended to go with Michael Foulkes down in Looe. Sadly he is to oversubscribed to contemplate taking on our project. Any other recommendations?

 

We used a good practice in Bath to design our basement and spec other site works (drainage etc..).

 

They've renamed but Ruth and Tara are still there - mention the basement in Maidenhead

 

http://www.buildcollective.co.uk/

 

[Lesgrandepotato]

We found massive variance in the SE cost. Quotes from £1250inc vat to £3400 ex vat. 

For the same job of work, used some guys in barrow at about 1400 or so, bit slow at times but they managed to engineer out all the columns and downstands. 

As ever it’s about picking someone you can work with, almost as much as the architect.

Certaibly for us the SE did the job of making the vision build able and resolving bijou design bits. 

[dpmiller]

I used a chap from Southampton direction some years back when we were doing our attic- specifically modifying trusses-  he used to pop up on some of the forums. Easy to work with and seemed to specialise in small stuff. Recommended, if he's still around:-

Andrew Cartilige

http://www.rivergate.co.uk/

[ToughButterCup]

32 minutes ago, Dee J said:

Looking for a good structural engineer[...]

 

The answer depends on the job specification.

Ours (Tanner's) was excellent at some things, not so on others. (PM me for details).

 

It's a bit like talking to an economist or historian or ecologist '....(pick your discipline) If your enquiry is slightly out of their specialist areas, and you are lucky you'll get a direct open and honest answer - something along the lines.... "That's not my specialism/ field/ period/ ..."

With SEs I understand it's more common to get an acceptance of your business and a stock , super-safe design: whereas a specialist SE  will design exactly what you need, it will be cost effective , and he or she will work quickly and competently.  

Tanner's saved me many thousands of pounds by writing one simple sentence. Where piling and PH foundations are concerned, Hilliard knows his stuff. He communicates well.

 

To me 'good' is a blend of subject specialism, engagement with the customer and the ability to communicate simply. To answer your question Tanner's are good, but they may not be what you need. 

 

What's the job that needs to be done?

[ragg987]

1 hour ago, Bitpipe said:

 

We used a good practice in Bath to design our basement and spec other site works (drainage etc..).

 

They've renamed but Ruth and Tara are still there - mention the basement in Maidenhead

 

http://www.buildcollective.co.uk/

 

+1 also for our basement, slab, drainage and other bits. Aylesbury.

 

What a small world...

[Bitpipe]

1 minute ago, ragg987 said:

+1 also for our basement, slab, drainage and other bits. Aylesbury.

 

What a small world...

 

They were recommended to us by an ICF firm we considered early on in the build, who took us to see this http://www.leathwaite.co.uk/riba-south-award-2017-winner/ at an early stage of construction.

 

[ragg987]

I also saw that build quite early in the build and we went with the same Integraspec ICF system + Kryton waterproof concrete (underground only) but with a different builder. Our connection were Trunk Low Energy.

[Bitpipe]

2 hours ago, ragg987 said:

I also saw that build quite early in the build and we went with the same Integraspec ICF system + Kryton waterproof concrete (underground only) but with a different builder. Our connection were Trunk Low Energy.

 

Yep, we used Mike to do PHPP and a cost estimate when we were deciding between ICF and TF. Given we went TF, I PMd the project myself and brought it in 20+% under his estimate.

 

Small world indeed!

[Dee J]

18 hours ago, Bitpipe said:

 

We used a good practice in Bath to design our basement and spec other site works (drainage etc..).

 

They've renamed but Ruth and Tara are still there - mention the basement in Maidenhead

 

http://www.buildcollective.co.uk/

 

Thanks. Initial contact made and sounds positive. Lets see how things progress.

[janelondon]

On 11/10/2017 at 07:57, Dee J said:

Thanks. Initial contact made and sounds positive. Lets see how things progress.

 

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread. @Dee J did you end up with Buildcollective and how was your experience? Looking for an SE now and they're not too far from us.

[Dee J]

13 hours ago, janelondon said:

 

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread. @Dee J did you end up with Buildcollective and how was your experience? Looking for an SE now and they're not too far from us.

Our meeting with them was very positive. Really seemed like folk we could work with. Sadly it wasn't to be, legal issues with the title of the plot caused us to cancel the project, and shelve the idea of any build project. Good luck.

[janelondon]

Any other recs for SEs based in/near Gloucestershire? Probably doing a timber frame kit and/or ICF build (have one side that is a semi-basement like @Triassic).

 

Have gotten some quotes but the SE also doesn't seem to be familiar with working with a kit manufacturer who will do all the TF engineering design. AIUI if I go with a kit supplier I just need someone to do drainage, substructure, retaining walls etc. We are finalising our design before going in for planning - is there any merit to getting the SE in now? I'm thinking of punting it to post-planning and only getting in the SE to work alongside the TF company's engineer so that the scope of work required of my SE is more clearly defined (don't want duplication of roles).