Planning to extend or build a new home? Managing costs is probably near the top of your priorities list. With most clients working within a set budget, finding ways to maximise every £ while still delivering on their project goals is crucial.
Here are five essential cost-saving tips that highlight the importance of appointing a structural engineer early in the process.
1. Ground investigations for informed foundation design
Understanding the ground conditions of your project site can lead to significant savings. A structural engineer can determine the extent of ground investigation required, which helps prevent costly issues during construction and will help save money in the long run. Conducting soil tests and ground investigations early can optimize foundation design and avoid expensive rectifications later.
- If you’re building in an area with clay soils, soil sampling can save on concrete and excavation costs. A simple soil test, costing under £150, can classify the soil, potentially reducing concrete volume. Without this test, engineers must assume the worst-case scenario, leading to higher construction costs. For comparison, 1m³ of concrete costs around £150, often more than the soil test.
- Full Phase 2 Ground Investigations, although intrusive, provide precise engineering recommendations suitable for your project.
- Trial pits can assess both the ground’s suitability and the potential to reuse existing foundations.
2. Maximise the potential of the existing building
Every building is unique, which is especially true for our homes. Conducting an early site visit informs a structural engineer of the existing structure, site and surrounding context and allows them to present sketch options that ask the right questions.
There are many different ways to optimise the structure, but when thinking about construction costs, a good place to start is by considering the sustainable construction hierarchy:
- Build Nothing: Can we limit changes that require expensive and high embodied carbon structural interventions?
- Build Less: Are we able to reuse the existing structural openings or re-use the existing foundations. This will save time and costs to the project as well as reducing the embodied carbon.
- Build Clever: Can we optimize the existing structure to enhance the architectural design and free up the budget for other areas?
- Build Efficiently: Why wait to value engineer a project after the design is complete? Early value engineering can optimise the structural performace elements from the start, creating savings from the begining.
- Minimize Waste: Can standardization of materials lead to less waste? Not paying for more than you need will help keep a control of project costs.
3. Understanding wind loads
Structural Engineers need to understand how a building stands up, not just due to gravity but other factors like wind pressures. When building your dream home, bigger is often thought to be better. However, large openings into the new extension, or the biggest bespoke bi-fold door possible can come with hidden costs that can make or break a project. For example, large openings that require a steel wind portal frame come with the added costs of steel fabrication, new foundations and labour.
Implementing the Building Regulations rule of thumb “1/3 Masonry Rule” can avoid the need for a steel wind portal by making the opening slightly smaller. This approach means we have a shorter straight beam, no new foundations, no additional fabrication costs and less labour. It could also come with the added benefit of adapting the opening size to suit standard size doors which cost less. Sometimes, the difference between these options is as little as 10cm, which can significantly impact your budget.
4. Simplifying Design for Easier Construction
When something falls with gravity it does so in a straight line. If we can take this approach with our Engineering designs, it will lead to less material and simpler, more cost effective construction. For instance, while a cantilevered glazed corner looks impressive, it is expensive due to the frameless glazing and hidden structure making it all possible. Opting for standard framed glazing with a strategically placed small steel post can achieve a similar effect at a lower cost.
Choose the right Construction Method
Various construction methods have their own benefits and limitations. Early understanding of the clients brief allows structural engineers to optimise the method that best suits your project’s requirements, whether that is traditional masonry construction, onsite timber frame or pre fabrication. These methods can then be evaluated against against construction cost, project programme and complexity.
Conclusion
By involving a structural engineer early in your project, you can leverage their expertise to save money, optimise design, and ensure a smoother construction process.
Ready to Save? Book an early consultation with one of our team to explore the optimum design for your project.
Tel: 0114 442 0232
Email: info@jamstructures.co.uk