Structural Engineer, Architect or Surveyor: Who Do You Need?
An architect designs buildings and spaces: the layout, appearance and planning of an extension or new build. A structural engineer deals with the structure, assessing whether a building is safe, how loads are carried, what happens if you remove a wall, and the cause of cracks or movement. A building surveyor assesses the overall condition of a property, its defects and, often, its value. For cracks, subsidence, removing a load-bearing wall, or a structural report, you need a structural engineer. For designing an extension, you need an architect, with an engineer for the structure. For assessing a whole property's condition, you need a surveyor.
'Should I call an engineer or an architect?' is one of the most common questions homeowners ask, usually while looking at a crack, planning an extension or buying a house. The three professions overlap in people's minds but do genuinely different jobs, and calling the wrong one wastes time. Here is who does what.
The Architect
An architect is the designer. They shape how a building looks and works: the layout of an extension, the light and space, the planning application and the aesthetic. On a project of any size, the architect leads the design and brings in a structural engineer for the parts that have to stand up.
If your question is about design, layout or planning, the architect is your first call.
The Structural Engineer
A structural engineer deals with whether a building is safe and how it carries load. That covers assessing cracks and movement, diagnosing subsidence, designing the beam that lets you take out a load-bearing wall, sizing foundations, and providing structural reports and certificates.
When the question is 'is this a problem, and is it safe', it is an engineer's answer, not an architect's or a surveyor's.
What a Structural Engineer Handles
- Assessing cracks, movement and the diagnosis of subsidence
- Designing beams and structural alterations for removing load-bearing walls
- Sizing foundations and structural design for extensions and new builds
- Structural reports and engineer's certificates of compliance
The Building Surveyor
A building surveyor assesses the general condition of a property: the state of its elements, its defects, maintenance issues and, in many cases, its value. A surveyor is well suited to a broad pre-purchase condition report on a house (Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI)).
Who to Call, by Situation
| Your Situation | Who You Need |
|---|---|
| Cracks or signs of movement | Structural engineer |
| Removing a load-bearing wall | Structural engineer (design + calcs) |
| Designing an extension | Architect (+ engineer for structure) |
| Buying: whole-property condition | Building surveyor (+ engineer if structural) |
| Structural report or certificate | Chartered structural engineer |
Architect vs Structural Engineer vs Surveyor: Side by Side
| Architect | Structural Engineer | Building Surveyor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Design, layout and planning | Structure, loads and safety | Condition, defects and value |
| Typical work | Extension design, planning applications | Cracks, movement, load-bearing alterations, foundations | Pre-purchase condition reports |
| When you need them | Designing an extension or new build | Cracks, subsidence, structural reports or certificates | Assessing a whole property before buying |
| Works alongside | Structural engineer, for the structure | Architect and surveyor, on shared projects | Structural engineer, if a defect is found |
The three often work together on one project. Banrach are chartered structural engineers accredited by Engineers Ireland, and for cracks, movement, load-bearing alterations, reports and certificates, we are the professional you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an architect or a structural engineer for an extension?
Usually both. The architect designs the extension, handling the layout and the planning application, while the structural engineer designs the structure: foundations, beams and how loads are carried. On a small alteration, you may need only the engineer.
Who do I call about cracks in my house?
A structural engineer. Assessing cracking and movement, diagnosing the cause, and advising whether it is significant is structural engineering work. A chartered engineer's report is what lenders and insurers will accept.
Is a structural engineer the same as a surveyor?
No. A structural engineer assesses the structure, including safety, loads and movement, and designs structural solutions. A building surveyor assesses the general condition and defects of a property. A surveyor who finds a structural concern refers it to an engineer.
Not Sure Which Professional You Need?
Tell us about your situation, whether it's a crack, an extension, a wall you want removed, or a report you've been asked for. We'll advise who you actually need and respond within one business day.