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Category: Structural Surveys

Stone chimney stack standing on a shared party wall, inspected during party wall structural engineering work November 7, 2026 Party Wall Work: When You Need a Structural Engineer, Not Just a Surveyor A party wall surveyor handles the award. A structural engineer works out whether the design stands up. Where the two roles meet,… Timber beam end with a steel strap and plaster broken away below, recorded during a structural survey for an insurance report November 5, 2026 Structural Report for an Insurance Claim: What It Has to Contain What an insurer actually needs in a structural report, who is qualified to write one, and the three things that get reports… Historic oak beam meeting a rafter in a period home, plaster broken back around the junction, seen during a structural survey November 2, 2026 Uneven Floor Upstairs: What It Means in a Period Home Why upstairs floors slope and bounce in older houses, which symptoms actually matter, and what a structural engineer checks — notched joists,… Large shrub growing hard against the stone wall of a cottage beside a cast iron downpipe, inspected during a subsidence survey October 29, 2026 Shrubs, Climbers and Leaking Drains: The Subsidence Causes That Are Not the Tree Trees are the biggest cause of subsidence, but they are not the only one. What shrubs against the wall, a leaking drain… Crack running down a plastered wall to exposed blockwork and an old timber beam, opened up during a structural investigation in Peterborough October 27, 2026 What Happens in a Structural Investigation (And Why We Take the Plaster Off) A crack in plaster is a tracing of something happening behind it. A structural engineer explains what a structural investigation actually involves,… Three types of crack side by side, labelled straight, stepped and diagonal, in a ceiling junction and two brick walls October 21, 2026 How to Read a Crack in a Wall: What the Shape Actually Tells You Straight, stepped, diagonal or horizontal - the direction a crack runs tells you more than its length. How to tell the patterns… Failed brick boundary wall with a collapsed section and a pile of rubble at its base October 19, 2026 What Is a Certificate of Structural Adequacy? And When Do You Need One? A Certificate of Structural Adequacy confirms that subsidence repairs were carried out properly and the building was sound when the work finished.… White rendered extension meeting the brickwork of the original house at roof level October 14, 2026 Cracks Where an Old House Meets a New Extension A crack where your extension joins the original house is common and usually explainable. Here is what causes it, when it matters… Exterior brick wall of a house inspected for cracking October 2, 2026 Your Survey Recommended a Structural Engineer. What Happens Now? A surveyor has referred you to a structural engineer. What that actually means, what the inspection involves, and why it usually ends… Pre-1800s thatched cottages assessed by a structural engineer September 19, 2026 Pre-1800s Buildings: Why Old Structures Need a Different Kind of Engineering Old buildings do not behave like modern ones. A structural engineer's guide to rubble stone, lime mortar and thatch — and why…
Google Reviews 4.9 31 reviews
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Andrew Vear 6 months ago

Stella did a great job for us. She liaised with building control (quite a challenge) and thought of things we would have never considered. Overall she did a great job for us and we are extremely happy with the outcome.

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Luke Sowinski a year ago

We used Ora Labora to get structural drawings for the removal of 5 load bearing walls. I had contacted many other structural engineer firms but they were hesitant to take on the project. When I rang Ora Labora there were no issues and they were able to come out quickly to survey the property. Everyone was very professional and I was able to get the final drawings very quickly at a good price. I handed these over to my builder and they were able to complete the work without any issues. I would highly recommend and would use them again!

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Graham Stewart 3 years ago

We were referred to Ora Labora and it was a great referral. Stella came around and checked the property and had given us enough notice of where we needed to excavate for her to get a better understanding of the existing building. Drawings were submitted for our approval before final drawings completed. All done in great time, to me. Thank you Ivy for all your effort and communication as well. Well deserved 5 plus stars.

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Jay Shah 4 years ago

Highly recommended structural engineer. I was introduced by a friend to a very good and efficient structural engineer, Stella Macharia. She analysed the project and supported me during the process of new build on the 3rd floor. Stella attended at the site time stated and identified the issue straight away, and was very knowledgeable. I would highly recommend Ora Labora and her team and wish to continue to work with them for any future projects.

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derek elding 6 months ago

Excellent service from all at Ora Labora, they work with you to achieve the best result for your requirements.

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Harry Gresham 7 months ago

Smooth process and trusted team to work with for our internal renovations. Would use again.

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yasamine watts 6 months ago

Helped us very quickly in an urgent situation, excellent work. Would definitely recommend.

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James Ekberg 8 months ago

Really impressive service - prompt, professional, and helpful.

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S.A.M 5 months ago

Smooth experience working with Ora Labora Ltd. Will definitely use again.

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