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Structural engineers in Surrey

Structural engineering, Building Control calculations and surveys for homes, developments and commercial projects across Surrey, delivered remotely nationwide with site visits arranged across the county.

Structural engineering across Surrey

Surrey combines affluent commuter towns with a large stock of period and modern housing. Guildford, Woking, Epsom, Reigate, Farnham, Camberley and Dorking carry Victorian and Edwardian villas, inter-war and post-war suburban housing, and a steady flow of larger detached properties, while the villages of the Surrey Hills hold older timber-framed and tile-hung cottages. Loft conversions, rear and wrap-around extensions, basements and substantial wall removals make up much of the domestic workload, often on generous but heavily tree-lined plots where the ground moves with the seasons. The older tile-hung and timber-framed cottages of the Surrey Hills need particular care, since they carry load quite differently from the county's later brick housing.

We provide the full structural remit for Surrey projects: Eurocode calculations and drawings for extensions, loft conversions, wall removals and new openings, basement and underpinning design, structural surveys and defect reports, and design for new build and commercial work. Desktop calculations and reports are delivered anywhere in the county, and where a survey or inspection is needed we arrange attendance across Surrey.

Chalk, London Clay and greensand

Surrey straddles the North Downs and the northern edge of the Weald, giving a varied geology across short distances. The chalk of the North Downs runs east to west through the county and is generally a good bearing stratum but can hold solution features and swallow holes, notably around the dip slope. To the north lies London Clay, a highly shrinkable soil that moves with the seasons and with the mature trees common on Surrey plots, and to the south the Lower Greensand and Wealden clays bring sands and further shrinkable ground. River valleys along the Wey and Mole carry alluvium and locally soft ground.

We design foundations to suit these conditions rather than assuming a standard depth, using strip, trench-fill, raft or piled solutions to match the bearing stratum. Where London Clay and trees combine we check foundation depth against shrinkage and heave to NHBC guidance, and where chalk raises the chance of solution features we detail the foundations accordingly so the structure stays stable. Surrey plots are often wooded, so the influence of trees on shrinkable ground is one of the first things we assess for an extension or a new build. On the greensand and along the river valleys we also allow for local springs and softer ground that can sit beneath a firmer surface.

How we work with Surrey clients

Most structural work is done from your drawings, photographs and survey information, so we turn desktop calculations and reports around quickly for Surrey clients. We coordinate with your architect, builder and the local authority Building Control team or an approved inspector so the structure and the design agree before work is priced on site.

Where a physical inspection is needed, for a survey, a movement assessment, a basement check or an inspection of existing structure, we arrange a visit across Surrey. Every output is tied to the Eurocodes and Approved Document A and backed by professional indemnity cover, and the same standards let us support clients across the UK.

Surrey

Local considerations.

What tends to govern a structural job in this area.

Period villas, suburban and detached commuter housing on tree-lined plots
North Downs chalk with possible solution features
Shrinkable London Clay sensitive to mature trees
Greensand, Wealden clay and river valley alluvium

Services

The full structural remit in Surrey.

Every service is available here. Choose one to read more, or tell us your project and location.

Selected work

Real structures, surveyed and engineered.

All work →

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Manufacturing and industrialWienerberger, Tamworth

EducationCarlisle College

Film and mediaDragon Studios, Pencoed

Questions

Common questions

Do you cover the whole of Surrey?

Yes. We provide structural calculations, surveys and design across Surrey, from Guildford, Woking and Epsom to Reigate, Farnham and Dorking. Desktop work is remote and site visits are arranged across the county.

Do you allow for London Clay and trees?

Yes. Where shrinkable London Clay and mature trees combine we check foundation depth against shrinkage and heave to NHBC guidance and design the foundations to suit so the structure does not move seasonally.

Do you design basements in Surrey?

Yes. We design basements, lowerings and underpinning with retaining walls, movement control and waterproofing, and coordinate with party wall matters where neighbouring properties are affected.

Can you provide calculations for Building Control in Surrey?

Yes. We prepare Eurocode structural calculations and drawings ready for your local authority Building Control or approved inspector, written to demonstrate compliance with Approved Document A and to be followed on site.

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