The project
Number of openings, spans, storeys and interaction with the existing building: floor area alone does not measure complexity.
#YourBudgetWhat a structural
What a structural
engineer costs.
A clear budget starts with a well-defined job. Here are benchmarks to help you prepare your project and understand your quote.
#TypicalBudgets
What budget for your project?
These ranges are indicative, not fixed fees. The price of your job is confirmed in a tailored quote.
| Your project | Incl. VAT | Excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Load-bearing wall removal One opening and the transfer of loads | €726–1,633.50 | €600–1,350 |
| Light renovation Localised structural work | €1,270.50–2,722.50 | €1,050–2,250 |
| Chimney breast removalA standard chimney and the loads it carries | about €605 | about €500 |
| Extra storey The existing building and the structure of the new storey | €2,420–6,655 | €2,000–5,500 |
| Extension of 30 to 60 m² Foundations, new structure and connections | €2,178–5,445 | €1,800–4,500 |
| Major renovationSeveral interventions, to be defined together | €2,420–4,840 | €2,000–4,000 |
| New two-storey houseDesign of the main load-bearing elements | €4,537.50–9,982.50 | €3,750–8,250 |
| Structural survey Site visit and opinion, without strengthening calculations | €726–2,722.50 | €600–2,250 |
The lines do not simply add up. A project combining an extension, an opening and a floor needs an overall scope.
For a roof, solar panels or specific strengthening work, ask for a tailored quote.
#WhatDrivesThePrice
What makes the price vary.
The building
Available drawings, the condition of the materials, access to the bearings and knowledge of the foundations determine the investigations needed.
The job
A feasibility opinion, a full set of structural drawings and site supervision are different services.
#AClearQuoteCompare the jobs,
Compare the jobs,
not just the amounts.
The right benchmark is what you can do with the documents you receive. A preliminary opinion and drawings for the contractor do not meet the same need.
- Which elements and areas of the building are studied?
- Which calculations, drawings or reports will you receive?
- Which site visits, meetings and options are included?
- Which assumptions, exclusions and deadlines apply?
Example: an opening in a wall
To be clarified in the proposal, without assuming what is included.
- Investigation
- Available documents, site visit and any investigation openings.
- Design
- The beam, its bearings and the elements below them.
- Documents
- Structural calculations, drawings and agreed details.
- Next steps
- Propping, site follow-up or adjustments after discoveries on site.
#NoSurprisesThe design and the works:
The design and the works:
separate budgets.
VAT on the design fees
Two VAT rates matter here. Renovation work on a home more than 10 years old can qualify for the reduced 6% rate, but an engineer’s design and inspection services are in principle charged at the standard 21% rate. Your quote states the total payable.
FPS Finance reference (in French) ↗Other costs to plan for
The works, the architect’s fees and any soil tests or investigation openings are not automatically part of the structural design. In Belgium, works that need a planning permit must also be designed and supervised by an architect, and there is no building control inspection. Check who pays for what before you finalise your budget.
#YourQuestionsAnswers to
Answers to
your questions.
Is the quote free?
Yes. Asking ARK for a quote is free and without obligation: it serves to define the job. A diagnostic site visit or a design job is a separate service, agreed before we start.
Why can two quotes differ in price?
They do not necessarily cover the same job. Compare what is studied, the site visit, the calculations, the drawings, the assumptions, the options and the follow-up included. A total alone does not allow a like-for-like comparison.
Does a site visit always include calculations and drawings?
No. A visit can end with an opinion on the existing building without designing any works. The quote should distinguish between the diagnosis, the feasibility study and the construction drawings you expect.
Are soil tests and investigation openings included?
Not automatically. Whether they are needed, what they cost and who commissions them should be spelled out. They may be additional services carried out by a specialist firm.
What if I change my project?
A different opening, another material or a new layout may require new calculations. Tell us about any change: its effect on the documents, the price and the schedule is agreed before the design work resumes.
#YourProjectShall we talk
Projects in Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia.
Shall we talk
about your project?
A few words, and your plans if you have them.
We will help you define the right scope.
Projects in Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia.