PorthouseDean Structural Engineers Omdömen 

Great communication. Easy to work with. Quick responses

Doing single story extension on my property and found PorthouseDean online. Project Manager although very forthcoming. Told me steel design I desired at the back of my property at the back of my property was unachievable unless I put a huge steel in, which would require a crane at the back of my residential property (completely unachievable). other options were offered where we would have to put steel goalpost system in which would mean me having to dig half the back of my house out (still with very heavy steels) or gave an option to add to existing masonry which would have left nibs in unsightly places making my proposed extension a waste of time. I was forced to seek advice from an alterative engineering company (paying for advice again) and they offered up a solution within days exactly what I was wanting with smaller steels broken down into manageable lengths for ease of install also with the required calcs that have already been approved by local building control.

This is the second time I have used PorthouseDean and
they again completed detailed structural drawings at reasonable price. They were also very responsive to any queries in a timely manner. I would therefore recommend this company to anyone who is after structural drawings.

Very professional company who processed the required documents swiftly. Good communication from all staff.

They asked good and very detailed questions of us and were very patient in dealing with our queries Lack of use of any jargon made things very understandable for us.

The company were exemplary in assisting me acquire the structural plans they had created for a builder I used - unfortunately the building company went into liquidation. The plans were needed to obtain the necessary Building Warrant - thanks to providing me with these my architect will now apply retrospectively for the Warrant.

I would highly recommend Chris and his team. He was incredibly efficient with effective and helpful communication. They dealt with my request swiftly and ensured they had all the relevant information to produce the required package. I would highly recommend.

Awful service, do your research and don’t go off an architects recommendation. My husband and I wished we’d have spoken to our fabricator first to see who he recommended. Ours actually said when he received the contractors pack and calculations his heart sank when he read PorthouseDean… generic bunch of nonsense, apparently.

Once they have your money communication is inconsistent, they don’t meet a standard service level agreement and today my husband and I have tried every phone line to speak to a representative who could potentially help… but sadly nothing. They have time allocated for focusing on work 10.30-11.30 but this message is played throughout the day… not useful.

Our coordinator Akhil, is rude, uncooperative and overall completely unhelpful. He’s made claims I’ve asked him to back up and unsurprisingly he’s not been able to do.

I’m looking forward to reading PorthouseDeans response as usually these are quite defensive and detailed. Read my emails, read my husbands emails, review your call logs and come back and tell me our service has been good enough.

I’ve asked to make a complaint but I’m not holding my breath anything is going to be done. I’m 8 months pregnant and thinking about getting these calculations provided by another company, the experience couldn’t be any worse.

However, this is a project which is still ongoing with PorthouseDean and I couldn’t be more stressed with all their jargon and nonsense and lack of communication.

We’ve got bolts sticking up from a walk way… great design work guys. There’s also been push back from the fabricator regarding the use of an RHS and warping that can occur due to heat of the shelf weld and galvanisation process. Akhil’s response was laughable and he asked me does he intend to weld the full steel… that’s what’s been stipulated and how should I know. Again though didn’t answer my actual question of potentially using an I beam to help resolve the issue. Far too defensive to actually help!

Don’t count on any agile working, don’t count on an informed, full responses. This experience is like pulling teeth.

We were unfamiliar with how the building process worked so left it very late for structural engineering plans to be drawn up before the builder started.
The drawings were prepared in a matter of days even with amendment's, Fantastic service as well as excellent value for money.

Was unsure of the procedure but they were very helpful and explained it all so I would recommend them.

Our recent house rear extension project was our first experience of a project of this size, and at its core, ensuring structural integrity was of paramount importance. The success of the project hinged on the knowledge, expertise, and diligence of our chosen structural engineer, PorthouseDean.

I'm pleased to provide a detailed review that delves into various aspects of their contributions:

1. Initial Assessment and Planning:

- PorthouseDean commenced the project with a comprehensive assessment of our house's existing structure. Their approach - while being remote and online - was meticulous, taking into account the age of our home and the unique challenges it presented. Their in-depth planning ensured that the extension would seamlessly integrate with the current structure while also complying with all relevant building codes and regulations.

2. Structural Integrity:

- At the core of any structural engineering task is the assurance of structural integrity. The PorthouseDean team diligently ensured that the rear extension's foundation, framework, and load-bearing elements were engineered to meet all the requirements as per the latest building regulations standards.

3. Compliance and Regulations:

- One area where the PorthouseDean team excelled was in navigating the complex web of building codes and regulations. They meticulously ensured that every aspect of the project met or exceeded these standards.

- Their expertise in this domain significantly eased the bureaucratic aspects of the project, ensuring that the necessary permits were obtained and inspections passed without a hitch.

4. Collaboration and Communication:

- Effective communication is essential in any construction project, and here, Chris and his team were exemplary. They maintained open and transparent communication channels with us, the contractors, and other professionals involved in the project.

- Their willingness to listen to our concerns and promptly address any queries or changes was instrumental in maintaining a smooth workflow. For example, the project encountered a major challenge when a surface water drain pipe was discovered in the rear of the property; Chris and his team came up with an appropriate solution in a short time that allowed us to proceed with a request of a build-over agreement with the local Water Authority.

5. Problem Solving:

- Challenges inevitably arose during the project, but Chris and his team approached them with a problem-solving mindset. Their ability to provide creative solutions ensured that the project moved forward without significant delays. In one instance, the contractor had deviated from the original structural plan; Chris was able to design an appropriate solution to mitigate any loss of structural integrity due to the deviation of the plan with a very short turnaround time.

In conclusion, the PorthouseDean team have not only met but exceeded our expectations in every aspect of their role as a structural engineer for our house rear extension. Their technical expertise, attention to detail, and innovative solutions have resulted in an extension that seamlessly integrates with our home's existing structure while offering exceptional durability and aesthetic appeal.

Great customer experience. The process was explained, the deliverables were defined, the delivered on time.

Made the process quick & simple. Not experienced in hiring a structural engineer but comparing average price they seem reasonable.

Excellent and swift service. They have addressed all our, our architect's and our builder's questions in very quick time.

Cost, Plan, and easy to follower Structural report.

Joshua was really helpful and gave sound advice.
I would use again if needed.

Good service thanks very much