A structural engineer is pretty much essential during a home renovation and loft or basement conversion. In other words, during a major refurbishment project. He or she can make all the difference when it comes to being able to live in the property or staying away from it for safety reasons. Only a structurally sound home is one worth living in, after all.

Structural works in a building also means choosing the best materials for a particular area and judging when the best time to use them is. Structural fault diagnosis and fire protection surveying are other specialisms in this field, as is timber, steel and concrete structural design.

Most rear home extensions these days involve knocking down walls and building new ones. It may also mean removing a chimney and other fundamental changes that need to be approved by a professional engineer.