Ideal for someone who would rather trust our qualified Structural Engineers to take the correct measurements and photos at their home. You will be happy to let us sort everything out for you with no hassle
Simply instruct us and we will do the rest!
Register your project details, providing details of what wall (s) you want to remove in your home and we’ll get back to you with a quotation
Simply pay your deposit to secure a convenient time slot for one of our Structural Engineers to visit your home
One of our Structural Engineers will meet you in your home, talk to you about your project, take the relevant dimensions and photographs
We will make a Structural Assessment of the wall(s) that you want to remove. If it’s (they) are not loadbearing, you will receive a letter from us confirming this
If your wall is loadbearing we will prepare plans and structural calculations and submit to Building Control on your behalf (if you require)
We would recommend that you wait for Building Control to approve the calculations before you start any building work That way your builder knows exactly what to build and the sizes of the steelwork required.
Now you are ready to obtain quotations from your builder. If you live within 10 miles of RG40 we can give you a price for removing the wall, relocating your services and making good.
You probably won’t require planning permission. If the wall is found to be load bearing, it is classed as a “Structural alteration” and you will require Building Regulations approval.
If your building is Listed, Listed Building Consent is almost certainly going to be needed for this work – this is not the same as planning permission and operates independently. We can help you with this if it’s requried.
Once your application is registered with the council, it can take anything from one week to eight weeks, depending on which council you are submitting to and how busy they are at the time of submission.
We can visit site normally one week from instruction, often sooner.
Our policy is to take a deposit before our engineers visit to cover their travel time and time on site.
If your wall is found to be non loadbearing. We will issue you with a letter confirming this (you may need this when you come to sell your house in the future) and there is nothing further to pay.
If however, your wall is loadbearing, we will take dimensions, photographs and prepare plans and structural calculations.
Yes you can, but our fees include for us submitting the application on your behalf and being available to answer any technical queries that they have.
A Building Notice Application doesn’t require detailed plans to be submitted. All charges (plan and inspection) are paid at the time of deposit.
Although you only have to wait 48 hours before starting the work, you do not have an approved plan to work to. If the work does not meet regulations, there may be a delay while the work is corrected and you may not know that the work is incorrect until it is inspected.
We would not recommend this route and if you start building work before you have approval, it’s at your own risk.
Full Plans Application
Depending on workload, normally with 2- 3 weeks.
A party wall is the dividing wall between you and your neighbour, ideally it is best to avoid working on or near a party wall, however, if there is no alternative you may need to comply with Party Wall Act, we can help you with this.
To avoid this, we’d look at designing either a “goal post” or a “picture frame”.
Imagine a goal post made of steel – two sides and a top.
The load is transferred down both side columns and onto point loads in the ground.
If, however the load is too much, we would recommend a picture frame / box frame.
Simply a four-sided frame made of steel.
Used mainly where the loads are too much for a goal post or greater lateral stability is required.
“Picture Frames” are often used in situations where you are removing virtually all of the back wall of the house and extending into your garden.
Downstand Beam
As the beam is not hidden within the depth of the ceiling joists it is cheaper than a “flush ceiling”
A steel below the ceiling reduces the sightline and gives a less impressive feel.
“Flush Ceiling”
Is where the beam is hidden within the depth of the joists so you are left with a “flat” ceiling.
This is a more expensive build option but it gives you a nice, clean line without any downstand.
Particularly if your extension is double height, you want to feel that extra height as soon as you walk into the room.
We would advise that you wait for Building Regulations approval. That way your builder knows exactly what to build and the sizes of the steelwork required and you don’t risk abortive work
You will need to make contact with your house insurance provider, they normally require you to cofirm how long the works will take and evidence that the works are being undertaken by a competent person/company.
You will have our fees (please click here for a quotation), plus building control fees – typically £200 – £250
“I had never used a structural engineer before, I always thought they were for big commercial jobs, renovating my kitchen didn’t seem like a big job, but without MAPL’s input I would have ended up spending a lot of money on a kitchen that I would never have been happy with….instead I have a kitchen I love, the whole family do. Seriously can’t thank them enough. I’d recommend them 100%.” Click here to read more.
Debbie, Finchampstead
Ellie Sugrue, Whitchurch-on-Thames
Excellent, Honest, Informative, Helpful and Reliable “Michael Aubrey provided me with structural calculations for openings in walls, including those for a major house extension. It was very useful to be able to talk directly to a structural engineer over the phone and by email and Michael Aubrey’s service was an excellent, honest, informative, helpful and reliable. I would recommend Michael Aubrey to colleagues and friends.”
Jonathan Clarke, Reading
“Just Superb – I searched on Google and found 4-5 structural engineers in the area. You were the third company I called and you could visit my property quickly, provide a structural report within 2-3 days. You also advised that should my wall be found to not be load bearing, I wouldn’t have to pay the full fee.
We were looking to widen an opening to an existing archway. We didn’t expect what was found, although I was aware we may need an RSJ. It was a very quick turnaround, which meant our stress was reduced and we felt we were really pulled out of a hole.
Michael Aubrey Partnership stood out from their competitors as they were superb throughout the whole process and I was blown away by their help and support. The stress, worry and panic was completely removed when the engineer visited and arrived early and explained everything to my wife very thoroughly and clearly. My initial call to the office was also dealt with superbly.
The whole service was excellent, from the explanations to the speed you helped us, it was just brilliant.
We would recommend Michael Aubrey Partnership, as we received great advice and help from all concerned”.
David Kinch, Bracknell
Happy With The Service “Michael Aubrey Partnership calculated the steel needed for our wall removal and designed a solution for supporting a previously removed chimney breast. Our drawings were completed ahead of time, so we were happy with the service from Michael Aubrey Partnership and would recommend them to colleagues and friends.”
Calvin Degun, Thatcham
Excellent Service “May I thank you and your guys for the excellent service”.
Phil Jackson, Wraysbury
Competitive And Local “Michael Aubrey provided me with a detailed report for a load bearing wall. The survey was easily arranged, the cost was competitive and Michael Aubrey were local. I would recommend Michael Aubrey to colleagues and friends.”
Deepak Shah, Reading
Quick Responses “We chose Michael Aubrey Partnership as they were recommended to us. We were kept well informed, it was painless to get building regulations and we received quick responses to any questions. Michael Aubrey Partnership provided us with the drawings needed to make our kitchen / dining room open plan. A specific feature that we found useful, was the detail provided with the drawings and calculations. We would recommended Michael Aubrey Partnership.”
Simon Watts, Farnborough
Swift Service “I found Michael Aubrey Partnership on the Institution of Structural Engineers website and there were good reviews online. They have a professional website and provided good communication and a swift service for our plans to removal internal walls. I would recommend Michael Aubrey Partnership to family and friends.”
Saj Sivanadarajah
Very Helpful “I chose Michael Aubrey Partnership as their website looked very professional and they were used to doing similar jobs. I needed a structural design done for a load bearing wall removal and Michael Aubrey Partnership were very helpful. Leigh-Ann has been amazing in helping me through the process and to get the results through very quickly. It was good that Michael Aubrey Partnership submitted the calculation directly to the council and also getting a list of potential builders was good. I would recommend Michael Aubrey Partnership to colleagues and friends.”
Matthieu Charpy, Reading
