Structural alterations in County Londonderry

Covering County Londonderry

Our structural alterations service in County Londonderry covers Derry, Coleraine, Limavady and Magherafelt.

Homes in County Londonderry

Northern Ireland has a high proportion of detached houses and bungalows outside the cities, which often suit side extensions, rear extensions and upward extensions.

What is a structural alteration?

Structural alterations change the load-bearing parts of a house, most often removing a wall between two rooms and putting in a steel beam to create an open-plan layout. The work needs a structural engineer’s design and building regulations approval.

Planning and building control applications to the council
Fire protection and plaster encasement
Making good floors, walls and ceilings

How much should I budget for a structural alteration?

What structural alterations typically cost. These are guide ranges; the written quote for your house replaces them.

Structural alterations	Guide price incl. VAT
Single load-bearing wall removal with steel	£3,000 to £7,500
Chimney breast removal with support	£1,800 to £4,500
Multiple walls or full open-plan remodel	£8,000 to £20,000

What approvals does a structural alteration need in Northern Ireland?

In Northern Ireland the council handles both planning and building control. Permitted development rules are set by the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015, and there is no party wall act, so we agree access and protection with neighbours in writing.

Internal alterations rarely need planning permission in Northern Ireland, but structural work needs building control approval.

What can change the price or programme?

The beam size can mean a downstand in the ceiling unless it is set flush within the floor.
Removing walls can affect the fire escape route on open-plan ground floors in three-storey houses.

From first call to completion

Start with a conversation. A short call or the online form is enough for us to understand what you want to build.
Free site visit. We measure up, look at access, drains and the structure, and talk through options and budget.
Drawings, approvals, written quote. We prepare the design, apply for the approvals it needs, and give you a fixed price in writing.
Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.

Questions about a structural alteration in County Londonderry

How do I know if a wall is load-bearing?

We check on site and confirm with the structural engineer.

How long does it take?

The structural work is usually done in a few days, with one to three weeks including making good.

How do I get a price for structural alterations in County Londonderry?

Use the guide price tool for a ballpark figure, then book a visit for a fixed written price for the agreed specification.

Structural alterations near County Londonderry

Learn more about structural alterations, or see every project we cover in County Londonderry.