From your first enquiry to handover
Twelve steps with clear roles for the homeowner, structural engineer, permit adviser and contractor.
Shape the plan
Your wishes, the existing building and its structural design.
- You
Share your plans
Send your wishes, photographs and available drawings. Include the property type, floor and preferred planning.
- You and project coordinator
Complete the initial file
Identify missing documents and questions. For an apartment, include the relevant owners’ association information.
- Structural engineer and contractor
Assess the existing structure
Compare drawings with the actual building. Further inspection or investigation may be needed.
- Structural engineer
Develop the structural design
Assess the load path and specify the new structure, supports and relevant connection details.
Coordinate and prepare
Permissions, responsibilities, access and temporary support.
- Applicant and permit adviser
Arrange permissions
Arrange the required statutory and any VvE permissions. Check their conditions before scheduling execution.
- You and contractor
Agree the quotation and roles
Record the scope, VAT, exclusions, finishes, programme and responsibilities in writing.
- Contractor
Prepare the work area
Agree protection and material routes. Assess services and any materials requiring special handling before work begins.
- Contractor, following the engineer’s plan
Install temporary support
Install and check the specified temporary works before any load-bearing parts are removed.
Build, check and hand over
The permanent structure, finishing and your project file.
- Contractor
Create the opening and install steel
Execute the opening and permanent structure to the agreed design. Refer unexpected conditions to the engineer.
- Structural engineer and contractor
Check the structural work
Complete the agreed checks. Remove temporary support only when allowed by the execution plan.
- Contractor and finishing trades
Complete finishing and waste removal
Complete the agreed repairs and removal. Define the handover if another trade will continue the work.
- You and contractor
Hand over the space and documents
Review the result, record remaining items and retain calculations, drawings and relevant execution records.
Who does what?
The structural engineer
Assesses the structure, develops the design and addresses structural discrepancies within the agreed commission.
The permit adviser
Helps coordinate documents and the application process. Agree who submits and who checks the conditions.
The contractor
Prepares and executes the agreed work to the assessed plan, with defined inspection and handover points.