How much does a structural engineer cost?
A structural engineer typically charges £250 to £1,500 for calculations on a typical extension, loft or chimney breast job.
£250 to £1,500
For calculations on a typical extension, loft or chimney breast job
Prices are typical UK ranges drawn from firms’ published prices and cost guides, last checked 6 October 2026. They are a guide only: every firm sets its own prices, so get quotes for your own project. The prices above are before VAT.
Example prices
| Job | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Chimney breast removal calculations (single support calc) | £250 to £500, plus £200 to £275 if an inspection is needed first |
| Loft conversion structural design and calculations | £500 to £1,200 |
| Single-storey or double-storey rear extension | £500 to £1,500 (single-storey £600 to £1,200; double £800 to £1,800) |
| Site visit / inspection, and a written report | Inspection £175 to £350; report £500 to £2,000 |
What changes the price
- Complexity: single beam vs multiple beams, ridge beam or dormer design
- Whether drawings and a site visit are included in the fixed fee
- London and South East premium of roughly 15-25%
- Condition of existing structure and need for investigation or opening-up
- Building control requirements and revisions
- Turnaround and whether the work is calcs only or full design plus inspections
Common jobs
Loft conversion calculations and design are typically £500 to £1,200, a single-storey rear extension around £600 to £1,200, and a double-storey one around £800 to £1,800. Removing a chimney breast usually costs £250 to £500 for the calculation. A site visit or condition inspection is about £175 to £350, and a full written report on a property is more.
How to get a fair quote
- Ask whether the price covers the drawings and building control sign-off, or only the calculations.
- Where the structure is hidden, ask whether a site visit is needed first. An inspection is usually an extra £175 to £350.
- Get at least three quotes for the same job, and compare what each includes as well as the total.
- Check the provider’s accreditation. See how we check listings.
Common questions
How much does a structural engineer cost?
A structural engineer typically charges £250 to £1,500 for calculations on a typical extension, loft or chimney breast job. The prices above are before VAT.
Why do quotes vary so much?
The main things are: complexity: single beam vs multiple beams, ridge beam or dormer design; whether drawings and a site visit are included in the fixed fee; london and South East premium of roughly 15-25%; condition of existing structure and need for investigation or opening-up.
Does the price include VAT?
The prices above are before VAT. Always check before you accept.
How do I get a fair price for structural engineer’s report?
Get at least three quotes for the same job, and compare what each includes as well as the total. Check the provider’s accreditation and ask for a fixed price where you can.
Where these prices come from
Researched in October 2026 from the sources below, which we compared against each other. Where sources disagreed we used the range that covered most quotes. These sites are independent of us.
- Best Builders - Structural engineer cost UK
- Home Owners Alliance - Structural engineer cost
- Trade2Base - Structural engineer costs UK
- MyBuilder - Structural engineer costs
Read next: what structural engineer’s report is and when you need it.