Opening up a kitchen or knocking two rooms through is the most common structural alteration in British homes, and the one most often done wrong.

Before you remove a wall

First question: is it load-bearing? Direction of floor joists, what sits above, and whether the wall carries roof loads all decide it, and appearances mislead. We confirm what the wall carries, then design the beam (steel or timber), padstones and any temporary works, with calculations Building Control will accept.

What you get

• A definitive answer on whether the wall is structural
• Beam calculations and drawings for Building Control
• Advice your builder can price and build from
• Retrospective assessments if a wall was removed before your ownership

Buying a house where a wall has been removed?

If there’s no Building Control record for an obvious alteration, your solicitor will ask questions. We inspect the alteration and either certify it’s adequate or specify what’s needed, often the difference between a sale proceeding or collapsing.

Why an independent survey matters

We are an independent firm of structural engineers, not tied to any estate agent, lender or builder. Our only job is to tell you the truth about the building. Established in 1981, we have inspected thousands of homes across Leeds and West Yorkshire, and our reports are accepted by mortgage lenders, solicitors and insurers.

What you get

• A clear written report in plain English, with photographs
• A definite answer: is it serious, is it historic, does it need monitoring or repair
• Repair recommendations and, where needed, outline costs
• Fast turnaround, reports typically delivered within days of inspection

We survey across Leeds, Wakefield, Bradford, Harrogate and all of West Yorkshire, see all areas and services.