Friendly structural engineering services for homeowners
Renovating & building in Surrey
If you're planning an extension, a loft conversion or any kind of structural work to your home, you'll need a structural engineer at some point in the process. The good news is it doesn't have to be complicated or stressful. Our team works with homeowners across Surrey and the Home Counties to make the structural side of a renovation or extension feel straightforward.
Nicole Beaumont is a Chartered Structural Engineer with 20 years of experience, and she has a particular talent for explaining technical things in plain English, keeping you informed at every stage and making sure nothing comes as a surprise.
Surrey is home to a wide range of property types, from Victorian terraces and Edwardian semis to large period homes, listed buildings and properties within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Nicole has experience working across all of them, which means she understands the structural characteristics, the planning sensitivities and the building control requirements that come with each.
Homeowners
We’ve been working with homeowners for over 15 years
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Whether you're planning a single storey rear extension, a double storey addition, a loft conversion or a basement, NSB Structures provides the structural design, calculations and drawings you need to get your project through planning and building control. For all aspects of residential extensions including drainage design and build-over agreements, Nicole works closely with your architect or builder, or directly with you if you're managing the project yourself, to make sure the structural engineering is in place at every stage.
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In Surrey, one of the most common reasons we find that homeowners need a structural engineer is to remove or alter a load-bearing wall, remove a chimney, typically to open up a kitchen, create an open plan living space or reconfigure a ground floor layout. NSB Structures assesses the existing structure, designs the appropriate beam or steel, produces the calculations and drawings required for building control, and ensures the work can be carried out safely and to the standard your builder needs.
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Installing a steel beam or RSJ is a precise job that requires sound structural knowledge. We can produce accurate beam calculations for a wide range of domestic projects across Surrey and the Home Counties, from simple wall removals to more complex structural alterations. Nicole ensures every solution is thorough, clearly presented and ready for building control submission.
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If you're buying a property, liaising with mortgage providers or concerned about cracks or movement in your home, a structural survey provides the information you need to make confident decisions. NSB Structures carries out professional structural surveys, including pre-purchase reports, crack and subsidence assessments, and investigations into specific structural concerns. Nicole produces clear, readable reports that explain what she has found, what it means and what it means for the project.
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From updating an older property to restoring a period home or listed building, structural refurbishment requires careful assessment and considered design. NSB Structures has experience across a wide range of domestic refurbishment projects, including works to listed buildings and properties within Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty where planning sensitivity and material awareness are particularly important.
Frequently Asked Questions from Renovators & Homeowners
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In most cases, yes. A loft conversion involves structural alterations to your roof and often to the floors and walls below it, all of which require structural calculations and drawings for building control approval. NSB Structures provides the full structural engineering package for loft conversions across Surrey and the Home Counties, making the process as straightforward as possible.
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Yes. Removing a load-bearing wall without proper structural engineering is dangerous and will not pass building control. NSB Structures assesses the existing structure, designs the appropriate beam or support, and produces the calculations and drawings your builder and building control officer need to carry out the work safely and legally.
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The cost depends on the scope and complexity of the work. NSB Structures provides clear, transparent fee proposals based on what your specific project requires. The best way to get an accurate figure is to get in touch with a brief outline of your project and Nicole will come back to you promptly.
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For most straightforward residential projects, structural calculations are typically delivered within a few working days of receiving the required information. Nicole will always agree a clear turnaround at the outset and keep you updated throughout.
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A homebuyer's report is a general condition survey carried out by a surveyor, covering the overall condition of the property. A structural survey carried out by a structural engineer like Nicole goes deeper, focusing specifically on the structural integrity of the building, investigating concerns such as cracking, movement, subsidence or structural defects, and providing detailed, expert recommendations on what needs to be done.
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Yes, and it's particularly important to work with an engineer who understands the sensitivities involved. NSB Structures has experience working on listed buildings and properties within conservation areas and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty across Surrey. Nicole understands the planning constraints, the material sensitivities and the careful approach required to carry out structural work on heritage properties properly. We also cover drainage design and build-over agreements for Victorian and heritage properties.
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Not all cracks are serious, but some can indicate underlying structural movement, subsidence or settlement that needs to be investigated properly. If you're concerned about cracks in your home, NSB Structures can carry out a structural assessment, identify the cause and provide clear advice on what, if anything, needs to be done. It's always better to get cracks checked by a qualified structural engineer than to ignore them.
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NSB Structures is based in Guildford and services Sussex, and Surrey, including Woking, Godalming, Cobham, Leatherhead, Dorking, Farnham, Cranleigh, Haslemere, Reigate, Horsham and Crawley. We also accept projects from Kent, Essex, London and the wider Home Counties. If you're not sure whether we cover your location, just get in touch.
Got a project in mind?
We'd love to hear about it.