The best strategy for getting the final price from SE is one that can't be changed.

[Don5]

Hello,
I'm completely stuck - any help would be greatly appreciated.

I am building a small extension: one and a half rooms, 18 m².
Everything is simple around the perimeter of the existing premises on the first floor - one room up.
I am also rebuilding 2 walls of the existing “Sun Room” with brick ones (4 meters of foundation needed).

I have quotes from about 10 local Structure engineers ranging from £400 to £2,000.
But... NOBODY wants to go to a site and indicate the final price.
Most of them say:
“We did not allow any calculations in relation to the first floor. The fee is based on our receipt of drawings from the architect.
We assumed that the existing foundations were standard trench foundations to support the additional load. We didn't include it in the design."
So, all these quotes are ESTIMATED.

So, they want me to sign the contract - and then they will come and say: the foundation needs to be strengthened, a heavy-duty iron beam is needed, party wall agreement needed - I’m not quoted it, which means a new drawing is needed and the price will be + £500 + £2500???

Please advise:
How to deal/talk with SE to get the final price, just like I ordered (Builder, Plumber, etc.) - they >>> ALL <<< check the work - and give the price?
OR... well... the best strategy for getting the final price is one that cannot be changed?
Thank you very much in advance.

 

[noseall]

Hello,
I'm completely stuck - any help would be greatly appreciated.

I am building a small extension: one and a half rooms, 18 m².
Everything is simple around the perimeter of the existing premises on the first floor - one room up.
I am also rebuilding 2 walls of the existing “Sun Room” with brick ones (4 meters of foundation needed).

I have quotes from about 10 local Structure engineers ranging from £400 to £2,000.
But... NOBODY wants to go to a site and indicate the final price.
Most of them say:
“We did not allow any calculations in relation to the first floor. The fee is based on our receipt of drawings from the architect.
We assumed that the existing foundations were standard trench foundations to support the additional load. We didn't include it in the design."
So, all these quotes are ESTIMATED.

So, they want me to sign the contract - and then they will come and say: the foundation needs to be strengthened, a heavy-duty iron beam is needed, party wall agreement needed - I’m not quoted it, which means a new drawing is needed and the price will be + £500 + £2500???

Please advise:
How to deal/talk with SE to get the final price, just like I ordered (Builder, Plumber, etc.) - they >>> ALL <<< check the work - and give the price?
OR... well... the best strategy for getting the final price is one that cannot be changed?
Thank you very much in advance.

Has your architect produced the Building Regulations drawings?
You have approached TEN structural engineers?
Would you consider yourself a difficult customer?

 

[Don5]

Has your architect produced the Building Regulations drawings?
You have approached TEN structural engineers?
Would you consider yourself a difficult customer?

No. He hasn't responded for 3 months. And the vast majority of forum participants (on various forums) advise (with good reason) not to involve an architect at this stage.
Yes. Are you having problems with this, can I help you with this?
Do you consider yourself a person who completely ignores the question in a thread and instead makes insulting comments towards people asking for advice?

Please ignore this thread if you are unable to provide any helpful advice.

 

[Murdochcat]

Offer to pay the SE’s an hour of their rate to come to site

BUT I still think you might not get anywhere

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

A decent designer (no need to break the bank with an architect, anyone suitably qualified will do) will arrange and employ your SE on your behalf and if they have a clue will pretty much know what the SE will need to provide and can arrange their appointment, if they've done adequate surveys/regs drawings etc then no costly SE visit will be necessary and a fixed price is likely to be provided.

 

[noseall]

No. He hasn't responded for 3 months. And the vast majority of forum participants (on various forums) advise (with good reason) not to involve an architect at this stage.

You have been very poorly advised.

Also, if TEN SE's have said the same thing, then I'd bring on board a designer (architect) that works with their own SE and let them sort out the structural issues between them. If you are going into this project thinking the costs won't flutuate (go up), even with a set price, you are mistaken.

 

[^woody^]

And the vast majority of forum participants (on various forums) advise (with good reason) not to involve an architect at this stage

Find other forums for your information.

A designer designs the building. Then, and only then is a specialist designer, eg a structural engineer, involved to interpret the technical design in terms of how it will be constructed.

The client should not be instructing a SE independently. The instruction should be via the designer.

Typically, any specialist designer would be issued a brief specifying what he is required to do. The specialist then quotes a fee based on that. If a fixed fee is required then that must be stated.