Rear extension steels · Dungannon
Rear extension steels in Dungannon
Rear extension steels for homes in BT71, designed by a structural engineer.
- Survey, design and installation in one
- Covering BT71
- 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 Dungannon: how it works
Need rear extension steels in Dungannon? We also cover the surrounding towns and villages in Mid Ulster. We survey the property, arrange the engineer's design, deal with Mid Ulster District Council, fit the steel and make good, all under one quote for BT71 addresses.
We work alongside your builder or as the steel package within the wider build. We arrange the engineer's design, coordinate building control, prop and open the rear wall at the right stage of the programme, and fit and pack the steels so the extension can be finished around them.
Things to plan for
- 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.
- In older houses the rear wall may be solid brick in lime mortar, with timber lintels and shallow footings beneath. The engineer may ask for trial holes to see what the wall stands on before deciding where the steel will bear.
- Opening the rear wall is usually the dustiest stage of an extension project. The work face is sheeted off from the rest of the house, and the kitchen is often out of use for a few days while the opening is formed and the steel goes in.
- 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.
- A single beam works where solid masonry is left at both ends of the opening. Where the opening runs nearly the full width or the corners are weak, the engineer may use columns or a goalpost frame, which is two posts and a beam bolted together.
How the job runs in Dungannon
Free visit
A short visit to Dungannon to see the job, agree what you want and check the bearings, floors and services that affect the design.
Calculations
The engineer's calculations and a simple drawing are prepared for your opening and shared with you before anything is ordered.
Building control
A full plans application or building notice goes to Mid Ulster District Council under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 before work begins.
Steel in, made good
On site we prop, open up, fit and pack the steel, then fire protect, box in and plaster once the inspection is done.
How much should I budget in Dungannon?
As a guide, budget £2,150–£6,000 including VAT for opening into a rear extension in Dungannon, based on published UK cost guides adjusted for prices in Northern Ireland (-14%).
| Job | Typical guide range | What it usually covers |
|---|---|---|
| Opening into a rear extension | £2,150–£6,000 | Original rear wall removed with a beam or goalpost, approvals and propping, coordinated with the extension build |
| Steel column or post | £430–£1,290 per column | Column supplied and fitted with base and cap plates on a pad foundation |
| Steel goalpost frame | £1,700–£5,150 | Two posts and a beam bolted as a frame, pad foundations, base plates and fitting |
Figures include our approximate regional adjustment for prices in Northern Ireland (-14%) and are rounded. How these figures are worked out.
Approvals in Dungannon
Building control in Dungannon is run by Mid Ulster District Council. Beams and new openings are controlled work under the Northern Ireland regulations, so we apply before anything is removed and the steel is inspected before it is covered.
Northern Ireland has no Party Wall Act, so there is no statutory notice to serve. Where the steel bears into a shared wall, the title deeds and the general law apply, and agreeing the work with your neighbour in writing first is good practice.
Rear extension steels in Dungannon: your questions
Do you also work near Dungannon?
Yes. We also cover nearby towns including Cookstown, Portadown, Craigavon and Magherafelt.
Can I stay at home while the work is done in Dungannon?
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.
What is a goalpost frame in an extension?
A goalpost frame is two steel columns with a beam across the top, bolted together and standing on their own foundations. It is used where the opening is so wide that little masonry is left to bear on, or where the existing corners cannot take the load. The engineer decides whether one is needed.
Can I use my own builder for the extension and you for the steels?
Yes. We can supply and fit the steel package while another builder handles the extension shell and finishes. Dates are agreed with them so the rear wall is opened at the right stage, and the engineer's details are shared so levels, padstones and foundations line up.
Who designs the steels for a rear extension?
A structural engineer. Your architect's drawings show the layout, but the engineer calculates the beams, columns, connections and foundations. We arrange those calculations, or work from an engineer's design you already have, and make sure the details suit the builder's programme.
What happens at the survey visit in Dungannon?
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.