Structural engineers for listed buildings
If you live in, own or are about to buy a listed building it is important to know if there are any structural issues with the existing building and if any planned renovations, extensions or conversions are feasible.
SWJ Consulting are structural engineers based in Oxfordshire. We have extensive experience with listed and historical buildings from multi-million-pound developments that included the refurbishment of existing 17th-century barns and designing sympathetic surrounding buildings to the restoration of old mills and barns for homeowners.
Over the last 20 years our team at SWJ Consulting has researched various historic building techniques from traditional carpentry methods to cob building, to understand their limitations and enable us to consider the most appropriate repairs. The structural engineering challenges of listed buildings has become one our specialities. Our experience of working with Historic England helps us to achieve successful outcomes for all stakeholders; homeowners and Historic England.
Repairs or changes to homes that are listed buildings
All and any repairs have to be well considered and sympathetic to the original structure; not just the repair itself but the extent that it will affect the original building. A Victorian cast iron frame will behave completely differently to a modern steel structure. These alterations must be considered within the scheme of the project. You can not simply remove historic repairs in exchange for modern ones – a visual record of the changes and alterations of a building needs to be maintained.
Surveys, Technology and Collaboration
Surveys, technology and collaboration are vital when it comes to listed building works. We make use of point cloud surveys for exact 3D scans of buildings. All too often we have found old surveys completed by hand are inaccurate and miss out on crucial information within these complex structures.
Using Leading Technology
Our ability to work with leading technology to test solutions, combined with our knowledge of traditional building techniques, has driven our success in developing long-standing relationships with clients who work exclusively on these types of challenging projects.
We make use of Canvas.io which scans the existing elements we need to know about, such as the existing beams, it helps us to research and consider structural solutions by mapping exactly what is there. Canva.io is especially useful in cases where existing surveys or drawings are dated and hand-drawn or there is a lot of information to absorb when you are on site. A 3D scan enables us to revisit the site while still at our desks to ensure we have taken everything existing into account. Having the canvas.io models mean we don’t have to return to the site to check if something is there, or not saving clients time and budget.
Collaborative Working on Listed Buildings
We understand the need for clear communication and collaborative working so all your contractors will understand the designs we have prepared. In some cases, where SWJ Consulting’s clients are really pushing the boundaries, the sub-contractors are required to have tablets on-site giving them access to the most up to date information and allowing them to feedback to the design team so the project runs smoothly.
If you live in a 25-mile radius of Oxford we will be happy to complete a report. The cost of an initial visit will be £250 (plus VAT) and then we can give you a quote for the report you need which range from £650-£1000 (plus VAT).
Our Guarantees to Clients
Contact us
You can call us on 01993 225085, email mail@swjconsulting.co.uk or complete the enquiry form and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
