Rear extension steels · Peckham
Rear extension steels in Peckham
Rear extension steels in Peckham, from free survey to completion certificate.
- Survey, design and installation in one
- Covering SE4, SE5, SE14
- Inspected before it is covered
- Free survey visit
- Engineer's calculations arranged
- Building control handled
- Fixed written price once scope is agreed
- England, Wales, mainland Scotland & NI
Rear extension steels in Peckham: how it works
If you live in Peckham, rear extension steels can usually be planned and priced after a single survey visit. We also cover the surrounding towns and villages in London. We cover SE4, SE5, SE14, SE15 and SE16, and we fix the price in writing once the layout and scope are agreed.
Building a rear extension is only half of the open-plan result. The original back wall still holds up the first floor and the rear wall of the bedrooms above, so opening it needs steel. Depending on the width and what is left to bear on, that could be a single beam on padstones, a beam on columns, or a full goalpost frame.
What to expect
- Two-storey rear extensions add a second level of loads to think about. Steels at first-floor level may carry the existing rear wall of the bedrooms or tie the new roof into the old one, so the engineer looks at both floors together.
- During the opening, props stand both inside the house and within the extension footprint. Where props bear on a newly laid slab, the propping plan checks that the slab can take those point loads, using spreaders where needed.
- Where the extension ceiling and the house ceiling should run through at one level, the steel may need setting higher into the floor zone or tying in with the extension roof structure. That choice changes the steel design, so it is settled before calculations.
- The original rear wall of most houses is load-bearing because it supports first-floor joists and the bedroom wall above. Even where the joists run parallel to it, the masonry overhead still needs carrying, so steel is almost always part of opening it up.
- The opening is usually formed once the extension walls and roof are up, so the house stays secure and dry. Leaving it too late can hold up plastering and floor screeding, so the steel date is agreed with the builder early on.
How the job runs in Peckham
Survey in Peckham
We visit, look at the wall and what sits above it, measure the opening and note services, access and how the steel can be brought in.
Engineer's design
A structural engineer sizes the beam, padstones and any posts, and sets out the temporary support needed while the wall is out.
Building control
We submit a building notice or full plans application to the local council's building control team, so approval is in place before the wall is touched.
Install and sign-off
Props go in, the opening is formed, the steel is set and packed, building control inspects it, and we make good.
How much should I budget in Peckham?
As a guide, budget £3,200–£8,950 including VAT for opening into a rear extension in Peckham, based on published UK cost guides adjusted for London prices (+28%).
| Job | Typical guide range | What it usually covers |
|---|---|---|
| Opening into a rear extension | £3,200–£8,950 | Original rear wall removed with a beam or goalpost, approvals and propping, coordinated with the extension build |
| Side return extension steelwork | £4,500–£10,900 | Beams and posts along the old side wall line, propping and approvals (extension build extra) |
| Steel column or post | £640–£1,920 per column | Column supplied and fitted with base and cap plates on a pad foundation |
| Rear wall opening for bi-fold or sliding doors | £3,200–£8,950 | External wall opened up to about 5 m with steel, propping, cavity tray and making good (doors supplied separately) |
Figures include our approximate regional adjustment for London prices (+28%) and are rounded. How these figures are worked out.
Building rules for Peckham
Structural openings in English homes need building regulations approval before work starts. The local council's building control team can deal with it, or you can use a registered building control approver. Either way the steel is inspected before it is covered, and a completion certificate is issued at the end. Keep it safe for when you sell.
If the beam bears into a wall you share with a neighbour, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies, and a party structure notice must be served at least two months before that work starts. We arrange this through a party wall surveyor.
Rear extension steels near Peckham
- Brixton 1.7 mi
- Greenwich 2.5 mi
- Catford 2.9 mi
- Pimlico 3.1 mi
- Westminster 3.3 mi
- Blackheath 3.4 mi
Questions about rear extension steels in Peckham
How much do rear extension steels cost in Peckham?
As a guide, budget £3,200–£8,950 including VAT for opening into a rear extension in Peckham, based on published UK cost guides adjusted for London prices (+28%). The exact figure depends on the span, what the wall carries, access and the finish, and is fixed in writing once the scope is agreed.
What happens at the survey visit in Peckham?
We look at the wall, the floor and ceiling either side and what sits above, measure the opening you want, and note cables, pipes and access for the steel. It usually takes under an hour and there is no charge.
Do I need a steel beam for my rear extension?
If the original back wall is being opened up into the extension, almost certainly yes. That wall normally carries the first floor and the wall above, so a beam, columns or a goalpost frame takes over the job. A structural engineer confirms exactly what is needed once the opening width and loads are known.
Will my kitchen be out of action while the rear wall is opened?
For a few days, usually. The kitchen often sits against the rear wall, so units, sinks or appliances near the opening may need disconnecting while the wall is propped and removed. The work area is sheeted off and the rest of the house stays in use.
How wide can a rear extension opening be?
There is no fixed limit, and openings across the full width of a house are common with the right steel. The engineer sizes the beam or frame for the span and the loads above. Wider spans need deeper or heavier steel and possibly columns, which affects headroom and cost.
Can I stay at home while the work is done in Peckham?
Usually, yes. The work area is screened and floors are protected. The rooms either side of the opening are out of action for a few days, and there is some noise and dust while the masonry comes out.