The cost of structure

How much does structure cost and where does the money end up going? 

When a structural engineer specifies their structure, an effect ripples through your design. This article lists out where the money goes and how it can impact your project.

• Workshop buying raw materials
• Turning the materials into a product in the workshop
• Painting/Finishing the products 
• Delivering the materials to your project
• Storing and moving the materials on site
• The associated temporary works
• Installation
• The building company's extra costs
• The building company's profit
• Value Added Tax (VAT)

For steelwork, we calculate a fair estimate is £5 for every kilogram specified. But this can very depending on where you live and how complex the project is. For example, a simple project in the countryside might be cheaper at around £4 per kilogram. But in central London, the cost could happily exceed £10 per kilogram on a complex project. 

These are the approximate costs per kilogram to the end user for the different material types:

• Steelwork = £5.00 per kilo
• Concrete = £0.30 per kilo
• Timber = £2.00 per kilo
• Brickwork/Blockwork = £0.65 per kilo
• Excavation = £0.15 per kilo

Building things releases a lot of carbon dioxide, which is bad for our planet. Using less steel creates less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It's important to consider this. One tonne of steelwork is roughly equivalent to three people flying from London to New York.

Reducing the amount of structure used is the best way to help the environment. Reusing and Recycling can never beat it. 

The specified structure will impact how the project looks and how it is developed. The advice from the structural engineer will influence:

• The ability to conceal or integrate structural elements within the space.
• Extent of modifications to existing structure.
• How much of a wall can be removed.
• Can a wall be retained and reused.
• Ceiling head heights
• Material finishes
• Service routing
• Allocation of spend

Re-Structured are specialists in structural optimisation. We review existing designs and free up money on projects. Our Case Studies give a couple of good examples. 

Email assessments@re-structured.com or submit your documents to get the ball rolling.