Structural Engineer vs Architect? Roles, Costs, When to Hire

Building or renovating a property is exciting, but many homeowners and developers are unsure whether to contact an architect or a structural engineer first. At HPW Architecture, we frequently meet clients who ask, “Do I need an architect or a structural engineer, or both?” Understanding these distinct roles is essential for a safe, beautiful, and legally compliant project. Below, we explain each profession in detail, highlight key differences, and show how they collaborate to bring your vision to life.

What Does an Architect Actually Do in a Building Project?

An architect is the creative driver of a building project. At HPW Architecture, our architects develop the overall concept, ensuring that every space is functional, visually striking, and sustainable. They combine artistry with practical knowledge, considering natural light, ventilation, and energy efficiency. Architects are trained in design theory and must complete an accredited degree, professional practice training, and registration with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) in the UK.

Beyond aesthetics, architects handle critical tasks like preparing planning applications, liaising with local authorities, and ensuring your plans meet building regulations. This makes an architect indispensable when seeking planning permission for new homes, extensions, or commercial spaces.

What Is an Architect’s Main Role from Concept to Completion?

From the first sketch to the final inspection, architects oversee the design journey. They develop detailed drawings, coordinate with consultants, and monitor construction quality. At HPW Architecture, we provide concept designs, 3D visualisations, and detailed specifications so contractors can price and build accurately. Our involvement reduces errors, controls costs, and keeps projects on schedule, all while achieving the style and function you envisioned.

What Education, Licences, and Design Skills Does an Architect Need?

In the UK, becoming an architect typically takes at least seven years of academic and professional training. This includes RIBA-accredited university degrees (Parts 1 and 2), followed by the Part 3 examination and ARB registration. Architects must stay updated with building regulations, sustainability standards, and design technology such as BIM (Building Information Modelling). HPW’s architects maintain continual professional development to ensure that every project benefits from cutting-edge expertise.

How Does an Architect Help with Planning Permission and Building Regulations?

Planning permission can be complex, but an architect is well-versed in local planning policies and national building regulations. At HPW Architecture, we prepare and submit all required drawings and statements, liaise with planning officers, and address potential objections. This proactive approach minimises the risk of refusal and ensures your design meets safety, accessibility, and environmental standards.

What Is a Structural Engineer and Why Might You Need One?

A structural engineer focuses on the strength and stability of a building. While an architect shapes the look and layout, a structural engineer ensures the structure can safely bear loads, resist forces like wind or snow, and remain sound over time. They play a crucial role when altering load-bearing walls, adding extra floors, or designing foundations on tricky soil.

Structural engineers in the UK are usually chartered with the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) or the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). They apply physics, mathematics, and materials science to design beams, columns, and connections that keep your building safe.

What Is the Structural Engineer’s Primary Responsibility for Safety and Stability?

A structural engineer calculates how forces travel through a building and ensures that each component can withstand stress. At HPW Architecture, we collaborate with trusted engineers who specify steel, timber, or reinforced concrete elements and detail their placement. Their calculations prevent issues like sagging floors or cracked walls, protecting both people and property.

What Qualifications and Certifications Ensure Structural Expertise?

To practise independently, a structural engineer typically holds a civil or structural engineering degree and chartered status (CEng). This involves rigorous exams and several years of supervised professional experience. Chartered engineers are bound by strict codes of conduct and must undertake regular continuing professional development, ensuring they remain at the forefront of safety and innovation.

Which Tools and Calculations Set Structural Engineers Apart?

Structural engineers use advanced software such as finite element analysis to model how loads affect a building. They produce detailed structural drawings and specifications, which contractors follow to install beams, columns, and reinforcement. These calculations are essential for building control approval and insurance compliance.

Structural Engineer vs Architect: How Do Their Responsibilities Compare?

Although architects and structural engineers both contribute to building design, their responsibilities differ significantly.

Aspect	Architect	Structural Engineer
Primary Focus	Aesthetics, functionality, and user experience	Safety, stability, material strength
Education	RIBA-accredited degrees & ARB registration	Civil/structural engineering degree & IStructE/ICE chartership
Deliverables	Concept designs, planning applications, interior layouts	Load calculations, structural drawings, reinforcement details
Legal Role	Oversees design compliance and planning	Ensures structural integrity meets building regulations

This division of labour allows each professional to excel: the architect shapes the vision, while the engineer ensures it stands the test of time.

What Are the Key Differences in Education and Professional Training?

Architects blend art and science with extended design-focused education, whereas structural engineers concentrate on mathematics and physics. At HPW Architecture, we value both skill sets, combining creativity with engineering precision for every project.

How Do Their Day-to-Day Tasks and Deliverables Differ?

Architects hold design meetings, refine layouts, and guide planning applications. Structural engineers analyse loads, size beams, and inspect sites for soil conditions. Their outputs differ—architects deliver design drawings; engineers provide structural calculations and reinforcement schedules.

Who Takes Legal Responsibility for Design and Structural Safety?

Architects take responsibility for design compliance, while structural engineers sign off on the structural safety of the build. Building control bodies typically require the engineer’s calculations for approval.

When Do You Need an Architect, a Structural Engineer, or Both?

Many projects require both professionals. You’ll need an architect for new builds, extensions, loft conversions, or significant renovations to create a cohesive design and navigate planning permission. A structural engineer is essential if you remove load-bearing walls, add large openings, or build on challenging ground.

At HPW Architecture, we assess each project carefully, recommending when to engage a structural engineer. This integrated approach prevents delays and unexpected costs.

What Types of Projects Require Only an Architect?

Small interior refurbishments, cosmetic updates, or garden designs may only need an architect. We can design layouts, select materials, and manage planning without engineering input if no structural changes are involved.

When Is a Structural Engineer Essential for Your Build?

Structural engineers are vital for tasks like basement excavations, multi-storey extensions, or major alterations to a building’s framework. Their expertise ensures that your property remains safe and compliant.

How to Decide if You Need Both for Extensions, Renovations, or New Builds

If you’re unsure, contact HPW Architecture. We evaluate your goals and advise on whether a structural engineer should join the team, ensuring a smooth and compliant process.

How Do Architects and Structural Engineers Collaborate for a Successful Project?

Successful projects rely on close collaboration. Architects develop the overall design and share it with structural engineers, who provide calculations and adjust specifications for safety. At HPW Architecture, we coordinate this communication, hosting design workshops and reviewing 3D BIM models together. This teamwork minimises errors, optimises materials, and supports sustainability targets such as BREEAM or Passivhaus standards.

How Do They Share Drawings, Models, and Calculations?

Using digital platforms, architects and engineers exchange CAD files and 3D models, enabling real-time updates. This integration reduces the cost of on-site changes.

What Communication Helps Prevent Costly Changes During Construction?

Regular design meetings and early-stage collaboration ensure that structural requirements align with architectural vision, avoiding surprises once construction starts.

How Does Their Teamwork Support Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Design?

Working together, architects and engineers specify materials and structural systems that improve thermal performance, reduce waste, and lower carbon footprints.

FAQs About Architects and Structural Engineers

What Is the Difference Between a Structural Engineer and a Civil Engineer?

A civil engineer covers broader infrastructure like roads and bridges, while a structural engineer specialises in the framework of buildings.

Can an Architect Do Structural Calculations?

Architects understand structural principles but are not qualified to provide the detailed calculations required for building control approval.

How Much Do Architects and Structural Engineers Typically Cost in the UK?

Architect fees vary by project size and service scope, often between 7–15% of construction costs. Structural engineers may charge hourly or per calculation set, typically from £300 to £1,000+, depending on complexity.

Do You Need Both for Planning Permission Approval?

Planning permission generally requires an architect’s drawings. However, structural engineer calculations are often necessary for building control approval, especially for complex or load-bearing changes.

Key Takeaways

Architects and structural engineers play different yet complementary roles. An architect shapes your vision and secures planning permission, while a structural engineer ensures the building is safe and structurally sound. At HPW Architecture, we bring both disciplines together seamlessly, delivering creative, robust, and regulation-compliant designs. Engaging the right professionals from the start saves time, prevents costly errors, and ensures your dream project stands strong for generations.