Structural alterations in Felixstowe

Covering Felixstowe

Felixstowe is about 11 miles south-east of Ipswich. We also cover Woodbridge (9 miles to the north), Ipswich and Clacton-on-Sea.

Homes in the East of England

Housing in the East of England ranges from post-war estates and modern developments to timber-framed and period homes in historic towns, so permitted development checks and conservation controls both feature regularly.

What goes into 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.

Temporary works and propping
Fire protection and plaster encasement
Making good floors, walls and ceilings

What will a structural alteration cost?

Indicative costs for structural alterations. London and the South East usually sit towards the top of each range.

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

Do you need permission for a structural alteration in Felixstowe?

In England we deal with the council’s planning team for permission or a lawful development certificate, with building control (the council or a registered building control approver) for inspections, and with neighbours under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 where it applies.

Internal work like this does not usually need planning permission unless the house is listed or your permitted development rights have been removed.

What should I think about before starting?

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

Send us the details. Give us a postcode, a rough idea of size and some photos, by phone, form or the guide price tool.
We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
Construction and completion. One site lead co-ordinates every trade through to the building control certificate.

What people ask before starting

How long does it take?

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

Can the steel be hidden in the ceiling?

Often it can be set within the floor depth, avoiding a downstand. The engineer confirms what is possible.

Can you visit a house in Felixstowe to quote?

Yes. After a short call we arrange a site visit to measure up and agree what the design needs to do, then send a written price.

Structural alterations in nearby towns

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