How to find a structural architect near me
Need help finding a reputable structural architect near you? We can help.
Use our trusted directory to find structural architects and design services in your local area. All Checkatrade tradespeople have passed multiple checks.
Don’t waste time searching online for local structural architect services. Let us do the hard work for you! Enter your postcode below and begin browsing Checkatrade-approved tradespeople near you.
No time to search? No problem! Enter your details into our request a quote form and local structural designers will contact you as soon as possible.
Finding the best local structural design service
Ask for recommendations
Planning a home renovation? Dreaming of building your own property? Asking for recommendations is a great way to find the best structural designer for your project.
Do you know someone who has recently embarked on a large building project? If so, ask for the details of the structural design service they used.
You can also ask other tradespeople for recommendations. For example, your builder may be able to suggest structural architects they’ve worked with in the past. Good tradespeople are often happy to recommend other professionals in their field.
Read online reviews
Spend some time reading online reviews to discover what a structural design business is really like. Honest customer feedback can help you to gauge the quality of local architects and structural designers.
It’s important that you read genuine customer reviews before hiring a tradesperson. All Checkatrade reviews have been written by real people. You can trust our reviews to provide honest feedback on our members.
We check the reviews on Checkatrade are from real people, and that trades meet our high standards.
Ask about experience and expertise
Structural designers play an important role in drawing up safe plans for your building project. Hire an experienced structural designer to make sure your build is strong, safe, and complies with building regulations.
Ask about their qualifications and experience before hiring them for your project. Don’t risk hiring an unprofessional structural designer for the sake of a cheaper deal.
You can also ask to see examples of previous projects. You can determine whether a designer is the best choice for your job by taking the time to view examples of their past work.
Request several quotes
Avoid the temptation to hire the first structural designer you find. It’s wise to browse the market and request multiple quotes.
Finding a good deal is easy when you have gathered several project quotes.
Hire a Checkatrade professional
We can help you to find the best structural design service near you. All of our tradespeople work to the highest standards and have successfully passed up to 12 checks.
Enter your postcode into the search box below to find a specialist in structural design near you.
Your structural design questions answered
What is structural design?
Structural design is a key part of the structural engineering process. The work of a structural designer involves:
- Assessing the stability of a structure
- Examining a structure’s safety
- Calculating the safe load of a structure
- Selecting the right materials for the job
- Drawing up building plans
- Checking the dimensions of structural members – beams, columns, concrete slabs etc
Architects are responsible for the aesthetic design of a building. In comparison, structural designers are responsible for making sure these design plans are safe.
For which home renovation jobs do you need to hire a structural designer?
Not all home renovation projects require a structural designer. For example, if you have the necessary skills. you won’t need a professional designer to help you build a garden workshop. Structural architect and design services are also rarely needed for small scale extension projects.
If you plan to build your own home, you will need to hire a professional structural design service.
Without expert assistance, your new property may not be structurally sound. It should not come as a surprise that this can lead to several problems!
Many local authorities require a structural engineering and design team to be involved in large scale building projects.
Do I need a structural engineer or an architect?
The terms structural engineer, architect, and structural designer do not all refer to the same job. Knowing the difference between these professions will help you to find the right tradesperson for your project.
An architect can be hired to create the design plans for your project. Architects focus on the aesthetic appearance of a structure, while structural designers make sure those plans are safely implemented.
Structural design is just one part of structural engineering. Designers are responsible for calculating and assessing the stability of a building. As well as this essential design process, structural engineering also includes:
- Accessing planning permission
- Checking the structure applies to building regulations
- Safety assessments
- Structural inspections
- Construction support
Read our expert article to discover whether you also need an architect for your project.
What is the cost of structural design?
The cost of structural design services can vary significantly. We can’t provide you with a single structural design fee as all building projects are unique.
However, as a guide, you can expect to pay approximately £1,000 for structural engineering for a basic residential project. The average fee increases to £5,000 for more complex residential projects.
Read our structural engineering cost guide for a full breakdown of current prices.
The key factors that impact structural design costs include:
- Structure size
- Design complexity
- Your location (prices vary across the UK)
- Whether you already have plans drawn up or not
Hiring a structural designer near you
Use Checkatrade to find the best structural design services near you. Add your postcode to the search box below and begin browsing through approved professionals in your local area.