Loft Maker London
Structural Steel Installation for Homes in London and Essex
Beams, posts and frames that let you take out a load-bearing wall or open up a plan, calculated by an engineer, fabricated and installed by us.
Most of the walls you would like to remove are there because they are holding something up. Take out the wall between your kitchen and living room and something has to span the gap. That something is a beam, and on a modern project it is usually structural steel.
Steel is the right material for most residential work because it is strong for its weight, spans long distances without sagging, and can be cut and drilled to fit an opening that a timber beam would struggle with. It also arrives on site as a made-to-measure frame, which means a beam that has to thread past a flue or a chimney breast can be designed around the obstacle rather than fighting it on the day.
When you actually need steel
Removing a load-bearing wall between rooms, opening the back of a house to create one open-plan space, creating a wide opening where two rooms become one, supporting a new floor or a new roof, carrying the weight of a heavy rooflight run, or forming the frame for an extension where the span is too wide for timber. In all of those cases, the beam and its posts are structural, and the load path has to be designed.
There is a size limit for a standard lintel in an internal wall, and beyond it a free-length beam simply deflects too much for the floor above. That is the practical reason a wall that looks as though a lintel would do actually needs steel, and it is why we will not quote the removal of a wall without seeing the span, the load and what is above it.
How the work is done
First, a structural engineer measures the opening, identifies what is above it, works out the load and designs the beam and its supports. The design is issued for the building regulations application. The steel is then fabricated to that design, typically off site, and delivered ready to install.
Installation is usually a matter of hours: the old wall is taken down in a controlled sequence, temporary propping goes in, the beam is lifted into place, the posts are packed and fixed, and the temporary support is struck once the new load path is working. The making good and plastering back follows. Because the fabrication happens before the delivery, the disruptive part of the job is short, which matters in an occupied house.
Building regulations and the temporary works
Structural alterations to a dwelling need building regulations approval, and the calculations and specification have to be submitted with it. The work has to be carried out to that design, and the beam and its fixings are checked again at completion before the completion certificate is issued.
Propping and the sequence of demolition are part of the design, not something to improvise on site. A beam that is installed without adequate temporary support, or a wall taken down in the wrong order, puts the whole building at risk, and it is a common site in jobs where the structural element was treated as an afterthought.
What is included
Site survey, structural design and calculations, the building regulations submission, fabrication of the steel, delivery, installation with temporary works, making good, and the completion certificate. We work alongside the rest of the project, so a steel frame in a new extension or in a converted loft is installed as part of the same programme rather than as a separate visit. Every project carries a 10-year structural warranty.
Related services
- Loft Conversions London & Essex — Turn unused roof space into a bedroom, bathroom or home office. We handle design, consents, structure and the build.
- Side Extensions London & Essex — The side return is usually the most under-used space on a London plot. Filling it with a well-designed extension is the cheapest way to add a proper room.
- GRP Flat Roofing London & Essex — A single welded, joint-free membrane with no tiles to slip. A durable flat roof for extensions, garages, porches and full roof replacements.
Frequently asked questions
Can I remove a load-bearing wall?
Yes, provided the new load path is designed. The wall is carrying the floor or roof above it, so a properly specified beam and posts have to take that load before the wall comes down. The design is checked as part of the building regulations approval.
How long does installing a steel beam take?
The installation itself is usually a matter of hours once the beam is fabricated and delivered. The longer part is the design, the calculations and the building regulations approval, which happen before anyone touches the wall.
Do I need planning permission to remove a wall?
Not usually, because an internal structural alteration is normally outside the remit of planning and is dealt with through building regulations. Where the change affects the external appearance of the house, or is part of a larger project that needs planning consent, that is a separate question.
Why steel rather than a timber beam?
Steel spans further without sagging for a comparable depth, takes heavier loads, and can be fabricated around awkward obstacles such as a flue or a chimney breast. For long openings in particular, it is usually the only practical answer.
Do you install steel for other contractors?
Yes. Steelwork is often specified by a designer or another contractor and installed as a specialist package. We can work from the engineer's drawings and coordinate the installation with the rest of the build.
Do I need a structural engineer for my project?
Almost always. Openings in floors and roofs, new staircases, and the loads imposed by an extension all need to be checked by a structural engineer, and the calculations are required for Building Regulations approval. We design and fabricate the steel and work to the engineer's calculations.
Can you fabricate steel to our drawings?
Yes. We can work from your engineer's calculations or produce the design ourselves, then fabricate, deliver and erect the steel to suit the site. Tell us what you have when you get in touch.
What does Loft Maker London do?
We are a London and Essex construction company specialising in loft conversions, dormer and mansard roof construction, side extensions, GRP flat roofing and structural steelwork. We handle design, planning, structural engineering, groundworks, roofing and finishing in-house, so you deal with one team from first drawings to handover.
Which areas do you cover?
We work across London and Essex, including Chingford and South Woodford. We are a mobile, service-area business, so we come to you rather than asking you to visit an office.
How much does a loft conversion cost?
It depends on the property, the specification and how much of the work is structural. A straightforward conversion in an existing roof space costs less than one that needs a new structural opening, steelwork or extensive roof construction. We price every project individually and give you a clear written quote before work starts, so there is no ambiguity about what you are paying for.
Do I need planning permission for a loft conversion?
Not always, but it depends on the property and the work. Many loft conversions fall within permitted development, while mansard roofs, dormer windows in conservation areas, and work that changes the volume of a dwelling often need planning permission. Building Regulations approval is a separate requirement and applies to most structural work. We assess your specific property, tell you exactly which permissions are needed, and handle the applications.
How long does a loft conversion take?
A conversion that does not require planning permission is often built in two to three weeks on site, but the full project - surveys, designs, approvals, build and finishing - takes considerably longer. Projects involving a mansard roof, an extension or steelwork take longer again. We give you a realistic programme with the quote, and we keep you informed if anything changes.
Is my project covered by a warranty?
Every project we complete is backed by a 10-year structural warranty. The full policy wording and schedule of cover are issued to you at handover, so you know exactly what is covered and what to do if you need to make a claim.
Do you handle Party Wall notices?
Yes. Where your project affects a neighbouring property, Party Wall notices or an award may be required before work starts. We prepare the necessary paperwork, serve the notices and coordinate with the adjoining owner's surveyor where one is appointed.
Can you work from drawings we already have?
Yes. If you have planning approval, architectural drawings or structural calculations, we can price and build from them. If you would rather we took the design and planning on as well, we can do that instead - just tell us which stage you have reached.
Can you match an existing roof or extension?
Yes. We work with a range of roof tiles and finishes, and we match existing materials where we are extending or building alongside original fabric, so the finished work reads as part of the house rather than an addition to it.
What happens after I get in touch?
We arrange a free, no-obligation consultation at your property. We look at the space, discuss what you want to achieve and any constraints, and then come back to you with options and a clear written quote. There is no obligation to proceed.
Tell us about your project
Send a few details and we'll come back to you with honest advice on what is possible, what it involves and how long it takes.