Engineering Consultancy UK | Chartered Engineers London
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Engineering Consultancy UK | Chartered Engineering Excellence Across Britain
Big0 delivers comprehensive engineering consultancy services throughout the UK, providing Chartered Engineers (CEng) and Incorporated Engineers (IEng) across civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical disciplines. Our British-registered engineers design projects compliant with UK Building Regulations, British Standards, and CDM Regulations, serving London's iconic developments to regional infrastructure across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Whether designing structural frameworks for Manchester skyscrapers, mechanical systems for Birmingham industrial facilities, or civil infrastructure for Edinburgh developments, our UK engineering expertise ensures safe, sustainable, and regulation-compliant solutions.
Why UK Businesses Choose Big0 for Engineering Services
British engineering projects require deep knowledge of UK regulations, professional standards, and local building practices. Our UK engineering consultancy provides:
Chartered Engineer (CEng) Expertise Access to professionally qualified Chartered Engineers registered with UK engineering institutions including Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), and Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Our CEng engineers sign off designs, provide professional indemnity insurance, and maintain the high standards expected in British engineering practice.
UK Building Regulations Compliance Comprehensive compliance with UK Building Regulations including Part A (Structure), Part B (Fire safety), Part C (Site preparation and resistance to contaminants), Part E (Resistance to sound), Part F (Ventilation), Part G (Sanitation and hot water safety), Part H (Drainage), Part J (Combustion appliances), Part L (Conservation of fuel and power), Part M (Access to buildings), and Part P (Electrical safety). Our designs satisfy Building Control approval across all UK jurisdictions.
British Standards Integration Engineering to British Standards including BS 8110 (structural concrete), BS 5950 (structural steelwork), BS 6399 (loading), BS 5628 (masonry), BS EN Eurocodes (European standards adopted in UK), and industry-specific British Standards. Our engineers stay current with BS updates and amendments ensuring compliant designs.
CDM Regulations Management Expert CDM (Construction Design and Management) Regulations 2015 compliance including Principal Designer duties, design risk assessments, Health & Safety File preparation, coordination with Principal Contractors, and client duty fulfillment. Our CDM expertise protects UK clients from HSE enforcement and ensures safe construction processes.
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Get Started TodayComprehensive UK Engineering Services
Structural Engineering
Building Structural Design Complete structural engineering for UK buildings:
Residential Structures: Structural designs for UK homes including terraced houses, semi-detached, detached, apartments, and mansions. Foundation design for British soil conditions (London Clay, chalk, sand, rock), timber and steel frame construction, masonry load-bearing walls, and loft conversions meeting Building Regulations Part A.
Commercial Buildings: Office blocks, retail centers, warehouses, and business parks across UK. Steel frame and reinforced concrete structures, composite construction, long-span structures, and multi-story car parks. London and regional commercial developments.
Industrial Facilities: Factories, manufacturing plants, distribution centers, and logistics hubs. Heavy loading designs, crane structures, mezzanine floors, and process equipment support for British manufacturing.
Mixed-Use Developments: Complex urban developments combining residential, commercial, retail, and leisure uses. Transfer structures, podium designs, and coordinated services integration common in UK city centers.
Structural Alterations & Refurbishment Modification of existing UK buildings:
Load-Bearing Wall Removal: Structural calculations and beam designs for opening up British homes. Steel beams, concrete lintels, and temporary works designs with Building Control approval.
Listed Building Engineering: Sensitive structural interventions in UK heritage buildings. Conservation engineering balancing structural needs with historic fabric protection, working with conservation officers and Historic England.
Extension Designs: Structural engineering for UK house extensions including side returns, rear extensions, wraparounds, and additional stories. Foundation designs, party wall considerations, and Building Regulations compliance.
Change of Use: Structural assessments and modifications for UK property conversions. Offices to residential, commercial to apartments, barns to homes, and industrial to creative spaces meeting current Building Regulations.
Foundation Design Specialized UK ground conditions:
London Clay Foundations: Expertise in London Clay behavior including seasonal movement, tree proximity effects, and heave/subsidence considerations. Underpinning designs for Victorian and Edwardian properties.
Piled Foundations: Mini-piles, CFA piles, and driven piles for challenging UK ground conditions. Thames Valley gravels, made ground, and poor-bearing capacity soils across British sites.
Basement & Substructure: Waterproof basement designs for UK applications including tanking systems, structural waterproofing, and retaining walls. Popular for London property value maximization.
Ground Improvement: Soil stabilization, vibro-compaction, and ground treatment for British brownfield sites and regeneration projects.
Civil Engineering
Infrastructure Design UK transport and utilities infrastructure:
Highway Design: Roads, roundabouts, junctions, and access designs following Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB). Speed humps, traffic calming, and sustainable urban drainage (SuDS) for British developments.
Drainage Engineering: Surface water drainage, foul drainage, combined systems, and SuDS designs meeting UK Building Regulations Part H and regional requirements. Thames Water, Severn Trent, United Utilities, and other UK water authority standards.
Utility Infrastructure: Water supply, electricity distribution, gas networks, and telecommunications infrastructure for UK developments. Coordination with UK utility providers and adoption agreements.
Bridges & Structures: Footbridges, vehicular bridges, underpasses, and retaining structures across UK. Design to Eurocodes and UK National Annexes with Highways England or local authority approval.
Site Development Engineering Enabling works for UK projects:
Site Surveys & Investigation: Topographic surveys, ground investigations, contamination assessments, and existing utilities surveys across British sites. RICS-qualified surveyors and UK site investigation specialists.
Earthworks Design: Cut and fill calculations, temporary works, slope stability, and soil management for UK developments. Brownfield site remediation and preparation for construction.
Temporary Works: Scaffolding design, excavation support, propping, and construction phase designs following BS 5975. Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) services for UK projects.
Adoption & Section Agreements: Section 38 (highways), Section 104 (sewers), and Section 278 (highway works) agreements with UK authorities. Technical approval and adoption documentation.
Mechanical Engineering
Building Services (MEP) - Mechanical HVAC and mechanical systems for UK buildings:
Heating Systems: Gas boiler systems, heat pumps, district heating, and biomass heating for British buildings. Radiators, underfloor heating, and warm air systems sized for UK climate and Building Regulations Part L.
Ventilation Design: Natural ventilation, mechanical extract ventilation (MEV), mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) for UK domestic and commercial buildings. Part F compliance and SAP calculations.
Air Conditioning: VRF/VRV systems, chilled water systems, and split AC units for UK commercial buildings and data centers. Cooling load calculations for British summer conditions and F-Gas regulations compliance.
Plumbing Design: Hot and cold water systems, sanitary pipework, rainwater and greywater systems for UK buildings. Water efficiency (Part G) and Legionella risk assessments (HSE L8).
Industrial Mechanical Systems Manufacturing and process engineering:
Process Equipment: Mechanical design for UK manufacturing processes including conveyors, material handling, process vessels, and production machinery. Integration with building structures and services.
Plant Rooms: Boiler houses, pump rooms, fan rooms, and plant area layouts for British commercial and industrial facilities. Equipment selection, spatial coordination, and access for maintenance.
Pipework Systems: Steam, compressed air, chilled water, hot water, and process fluid distribution throughout UK industrial facilities. Pipe stress analysis and support design.
Energy Systems: Combined Heat and Power (CHP), renewable energy systems, and energy optimization for UK industrial sites reducing carbon and operating costs.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Design & Installation Complete electrical engineering for UK projects:
Power Distribution: LV and HV electrical distribution for British buildings. UK electrical supply voltages (230V/400V), three-phase distribution, consumer units, and distribution boards to BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations).
Lighting Design: Internal and external lighting for UK buildings meeting British Standards and Building Regulations Part L. LED lighting, emergency lighting, and lighting control systems. Lux level calculations and energy efficiency.
Fire Alarm Systems: Fire detection and alarm systems for UK buildings meeting BS 5839. Category L and M systems, manual call points, automatic detection, and emergency voice communication systems.
Security & Access Control: Intruder alarms, CCTV, access control, and integrated security systems for British commercial and residential buildings. Integration with Building Management Systems (BMS).
Specialist Electrical Systems Advanced UK electrical installations:
Data Centers: Electrical infrastructure for UK data centers including redundant power supplies, UPS systems, generator backup, and high-density power distribution. Tier III and Tier IV designs.
EV Charging Infrastructure: Electric vehicle charging point design for UK car parks and developments. UK regulations, DNO approval, load management, and future-proofing for EV growth.
Renewable Energy Integration: Solar PV, wind turbines, battery storage, and grid connection for British renewable installations. DNO applications (G99) and export tariff optimization.
Lightning Protection: Lightning protection systems to BS EN 62305 for UK buildings. Risk assessment, air termination networks, down conductors, and earthing systems.
Multidisciplinary Engineering
Integrated Design Coordinated MEP and structural engineering:
BIM Coordination: Building Information Modeling (BIM) Level 2 for UK projects meeting government requirements. 3D coordination of structure, architecture, MEP, and other disciplines avoiding clashes.
Passive House Design: Ultra-low energy building design meeting Passivhaus standards for UK climate. Integrated structural, fabric, MEP, and ventilation design achieving exceptional UK energy performance.
Sustainability Engineering: BREEAM Excellent/Outstanding and SKA Gold sustainable building designs for British projects. Energy modeling, life cycle assessment, and circular economy principles.
Acoustic Engineering: Sound insulation, noise control, and acoustic design for UK buildings meeting Building Regulations Part E and British Standards. Separating walls/floors, airborne and impact sound testing.
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Get Started TodayUK Engineering Standards & Regulations
Building Regulations Expertise
England & Wales Building Regulations Approved Document compliance:
Part A (Structure): Structural safety and stability ensuring buildings withstand loads and remain stable. Our structural engineers design to Part A requirements with calculations and details.
Part B (Fire Safety): Fire resistance, means of escape, fire spread, and access for fire service. Post-Grenfell regulations including combustible materials restrictions and fire safety strategies.
Part L (Conservation of Fuel & Power): Energy efficiency for UK buildings. SAP calculations, U-values, air tightness, and renewable energy compliance for new builds and refurbishments.
Part M (Access to Buildings): Accessible and inclusive design for British buildings. Level access, wheelchair accessibility, accessible WCs, and inclusive design meeting Equality Act 2010.
Scotland Building Standards Technical Handbooks compliance:
- Scottish Building Standards differ from England/Wales regulations
- Our Scottish CEng engineers ensure compliance
- Building warrant applications to Scottish local authorities
- Verification and certification process
Northern Ireland Building Regulations District Council compliance:
- Northern Ireland Technical Booklets
- Separate regulatory framework from GB
- Our Belfast engineers ensure NI compliance
Professional Engineering Standards
Institution Memberships Professionally qualified UK engineers:
- ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers): Our civil engineers hold CEng ICE accreditation
- IStructE (Institution of Structural Engineers): Chartered Structural Engineers (MIStructE, FIStructE)
- IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers): Mechanical engineering CEng qualification
- IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology): Electrical and electronic engineering professionals
- CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers): Building services engineering expertise
Professional Indemnity Insurance UK project protection:
- £10 million Professional Indemnity Insurance coverage
- Covers design errors, omissions, and professional negligence
- Required for Building Control approval and mortgage lenders
- Annual renewal and claims history transparency
British Standards Application
Structural British Standards Key BS for structural engineering:
- BS EN 1992 (Eurocode 2): Concrete structure design with UK National Annex
- BS EN 1993 (Eurocode 3): Steel structure design with British amendments
- BS EN 1997 (Eurocode 7): Geotechnical design and UK ground conditions
- BS 5975: Temporary works design and construction
- BS 8110: British concrete design standard (gradually superseded by Eurocodes)
Building Services British Standards MEP engineering standards:
- BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations): UK electrical installation requirements
- BS 5839: Fire detection and alarm systems for British buildings
- BS EN 12831: Heating system design and heat load calculations
- BS 8233: Sound insulation and noise reduction in UK buildings
UK Engineering Project Process
Phase 1: Feasibility & Concept (Week 1-2)
Initial UK project assessment:
- Site visit and existing condition survey
- UK regulation constraints analysis (planning, building control, environmental)
- Conceptual design options with British construction methods
- Preliminary cost estimates with UK construction rates
- Feasibility report and recommendations
Phase 2: Design Development (Week 3-6)
Detailed UK engineering design:
- Structural analysis and calculations to Eurocodes and British Standards
- MEP system design meeting UK Building Regulations
- 3D BIM model development and coordination
- Specification preparation with British products and suppliers
- Value engineering for UK construction market
Phase 3: Building Control Submission (Week 7-8)
UK regulatory approval:
- Building Regulation drawings and calculations
- Structural calculations package (Part A compliance)
- Energy calculations (SAP/SBEM for Part L)
- Fire safety strategy (Part B)
- Submit to Local Authority Building Control or Approved Inspector
Phase 4: Construction Support (Week 9-24)
On-site UK engineering services:
- Respond to contractor RFIs (Requests for Information)
- Site inspections and design verification
- British Steel/Concrete certificates review
- Variations and design changes as needed
- Building Control liaison and sign-off
Phase 5: Completion (Week 25+)
Project handover:
- As-built drawings and documentation
- Building Control Completion Certificate
- Structural engineer certificates for warranty providers
- O&M manuals for building services
- Post-construction monitoring if required
UK Engineering Across Major Cities
London Engineering Services
Capital's complex engineering environment:
Engineering for London's dense urban context including high-rise structures, basements in London Clay, listed building constraints, Thames Water requirements, Transport for London (TfL) coordination, and London Plan policies. Our London CEng engineers understand capital's unique challenges.
Manchester Engineering Services
Northern Powerhouse engineering:
Supporting Manchester's growth with commercial developments, industrial facilities, residential regeneration, Metrolink infrastructure coordination, and Manchester City Council requirements. Experience with Greater Manchester's growth ambitions.
Birmingham Engineering Services
Midlands engineering expertise:
Serving UK's second city with HS2 coordination, urban regeneration, industrial heritage conversion, canal-side developments, and Birmingham City Council standards. Understanding Midlands' engineering heritage and future growth.
Edinburgh Engineering Services
Scottish capital engineering:
Edinburgh's sensitive historic context requiring listed building expertise, New Town conservation, Scottish Building Standards, Scottish Water requirements, and Edinburgh Council planning. Our Scottish CEng engineers ensure compliance.
Bristol & Cardiff Engineering Services
South West and Wales engineering:
Supporting Bristol's aerospace sector, Avon waterfront developments, Welsh Building Regulations (Cardiff), challenging topography, and coastal considerations for Bristol Channel developments.
UK Engineering Pricing
Structural Engineering Fees
Residential Structural Design UK home engineering: - Loft conversion calculations: £600-£1,200 - Single-story extension: £800-£1,500 - Two-story extension: £1,200-£2,500 - Full house design (new build): £2,000-£5,000 - Includes: calculations, drawings, Building Control liaison
Commercial Structural Engineering Business developments: - Small commercial unit (<500m²): £5,000-£15,000 - Medium office/retail (500-2000m²): £15,000-£40,000 - Large commercial building (2000m²+): £40,000-£150,000+ - Based on 3-5% of construction cost
Specialist Structural Services Advanced UK engineering: - Structural survey and report: £500-£2,000 - Party wall structural engineer: £800-£2,000 - Underpinning design: £1,500-£5,000 - Facade engineering: £10,000-£50,000+
Civil Engineering Fees
Infrastructure Design UK civil projects: - Site drainage design: £2,000-£8,000 - Access road design: £3,000-£15,000 - Section 38/104 agreements: £5,000-£20,000 - Full site infrastructure (large development): £30,000-£150,000+
Ground Investigation UK site surveys: - Desktop study: £500-£1,500 - Intrusive investigation (4-6 trial pits): £3,000-£8,000 - Borehole investigation (3-5 boreholes): £5,000-£15,000 - Comprehensive ground investigation: £15,000-£50,000+
MEP Engineering Fees
Mechanical & Electrical Design Building services engineering: - Domestic MEP (house): £1,500-£4,000 - Small commercial MEP (<500m²): £8,000-£20,000 - Medium commercial (500-2000m²): £20,000-£60,000 - Large commercial/industrial: £60,000-£250,000+ - Based on 2-4% of construction cost
Energy & Sustainability UK compliance services: - SAP calculation (Part L): £250-£600 - SBEM calculation (commercial): £800-£2,000 - Air tightness testing: £400-£1,200 - BREEAM assessment: £5,000-£25,000
Typical UK Project Costs
Small Residential Project £150,000 house extension: - Structural engineer: £1,500 (1%) - Building Control fee: £800 - Party Wall Surveyor: £1,200 - Total professional fees: £3,500 (2.3%)
Medium Commercial Project £2 million office building: - Structural engineer: £60,000 (3%) - MEP engineer: £50,000 (2.5%) - Civil engineer: £25,000 (1.25%) - Acoustic/Fire/Other: £20,000 (1%) - Total engineering fees: £155,000 (7.75%)
Large Mixed-Use Development £25 million urban project: - Structural engineer: £850,000 (3.4%) - MEP engineer: £625,000 (2.5%) - Civil engineer: £375,000 (1.5%) - Specialist engineers: £400,000 (1.6%) - Total engineering fees: £2,250,000 (9%)
Quality Assurance & Professional Standards
UK Quality Systems
Professional quality management: - ISO 9001:2015 quality management system - Regular CPD (Continuing Professional Development) - Peer review of calculations and designs - Independent checking for complex UK projects - Professional indemnity insurance maintenance
UK Project Delivery
British engineering excellence: - On-time delivery for UK Building Control deadlines - Responsive to UK contractor queries - Understanding of British construction methods - Knowledge of UK supply chains and lead times - Collaborative approach with British construction teams
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, our senior engineers hold Chartered Engineer (CEng) status with relevant UK engineering institutions including ICE (civil engineering), IStructE (structural engineering), IMechE (mechanical engineering), and IET (electrical engineering). CEng is the gold standard of UK engineering qualification demonstrating professional competence, ethics, and commitment to CPD. Our Chartered Engineers sign off structural calculations, design certifications, and professional opinions meeting UK Building Control, mortgage lender, and warranty provider requirements. All designs carry £10 million Professional Indemnity Insurance as standard.
Yes, we design to England & Wales Building Regulations (Approved Documents A-P), Scottish Building Standards (Technical Handbooks), and Northern Ireland Building Regulations (Technical Booklets). While fundamentally similar, these frameworks have regional differences requiring local expertise. Our engineers are experienced across all UK jurisdictions and maintain relationships with Local Authority Building Control and Approved Inspectors nationwide. We handle Building Control applications, respond to queries, coordinate inspections, and obtain Completion Certificates for projects across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Our UK structural engineering service includes: site visit and existing structure assessment, structural calculations to Eurocodes and British Standards, structural drawings (GA, foundation, framing, details), specification of British structural materials (steel to BS standards, concrete mixes, masonry), Building Regulations Part A compliance documentation, Building Control liaison and query responses, structural engineer certificates for warranty providers, and construction phase support including site inspections. For residential projects, typical turnaround is 2-3 weeks. Commercial projects require 6-12 weeks depending on complexity.
Yes, we provide Principal Designer services under CDM Regulations 2015 for UK construction projects. The Principal Designer role is mandatory for projects with more than one contractor and includes: identifying and managing design stage health & safety risks, coordinating with other designers, preparing pre-construction information, producing Health & Safety Files, and liaising with Principal Contractors. Our CDM-qualified engineers understand British construction hazards, temporary works risks, and UK health & safety law. Principal Designer fees typically range from £2,000-£20,000 depending on project complexity and duration. This protects UK clients from HSE enforcement action.
Yes, we specialize in sensitive structural interventions for UK listed buildings and conservation areas. Our heritage engineering includes: structural assessment of historic construction (timber frames, masonry, Victorian/Georgian/Edwardian structures), minimally invasive strengthening solutions, hidden structural supports respecting historic fabric, liaison with conservation officers and Historic England/Historic Environment Scotland, and compliance with listed building consent conditions. We understand traditional British building materials, period construction techniques, and conservation philosophy balancing structural needs with heritage protection. Listed building projects require particular care and typically cost 20-30% more than standard engineering due to additional analysis and sensitive solutions.
We design to all major UK sustainability standards including BREEAM (Excellent and Outstanding), Passivhaus/Passive House for ultra-low energy buildings, Home Quality Mark for sustainable housing, SKA Rating for office fit-outs, and WELL Building Standard for occupant wellbeing. Our sustainable engineering includes optimized structures (minimizing embodied carbon), high-performance building envelopes meeting demanding U-values, heat pump integration and low-carbon heating, renewable energy systems (solar PV, wind), and circular economy principles (design for disassembly, recycled materials). UK sustainability fees typically add 5-15% to base engineering costs but deliver long-term operational savings and enhanced building value.
Turnaround depends on project complexity. Simple residential projects (loft conversion, single-story extension) typically take 5-10 working days from receiving information to delivering calculations and drawings. Medium complexity projects (two-story extensions, new houses) require 2-3 weeks. Commercial projects need 4-12 weeks depending on size and complexity. Rush services available for urgent UK projects (48-hour turnaround for simple residential at premium rates). We work efficiently with British Building Control Officers who often have tight timelines, and maintain good relationships with UK Building Control departments ensuring smooth approval processes. Our calculations are thorough, clearly presented, and include all information UK Building Control requires.
Get Started with UK Engineering Services
Partner with Chartered Engineers delivering British engineering excellence. From structural calculations to complete multidisciplinary design, we ensure your UK project meets all regulations and performs beautifully.
Contact our UK engineering team: - Phone: +44 (0) 20 XXXX XXXX - Email: [email protected] - Offices: London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh
Free Project Assessment Request a complimentary feasibility assessment including site visit (within M25 or major cities), regulatory constraints analysis, preliminary design concepts, budget cost estimate, and formal proposal with timeline.
Download UK Engineering Guide Access our comprehensive guide to UK Building Regulations, structural engineering for British homes, MEP design essentials, and CDM Regulations compliance.
Big0 - Chartered engineering excellence for Britain's built environment.
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