Structural Engineer: How much does it cost?

The structural calculation for a single-family house costs on average 1,475 Euro.

Depending on the complexity, a structural engineer charges between 250 and 2,700 Euro.

A structural engineer ensures a safe construction site. For new buildings or renovations where load-bearing elements are altered or removed, the load-bearing capacity of the entire system and individual components must be calculated.

The engineer calculates, based on the architect’s design, how strong columns, beams, and other elements need to be to maintain stability.

The cost of creating structural documentation depends on the construction budget or is calculated according to effort. A typical single-family house structural calculation costs on average 1,475 Euro.

What does a structural engineer cost?

Fees are based on the HOAI (Fee Structure for Architects and Engineers) which legally regulates compensation in architecture, urban planning, and construction.

For construction costs under 10,226 Euro, an individual agreement with the engineer is possible.

Costs are calculated based on:

Eligible construction costs
Fee zone (complexity)
Fee rate (effort)
Additional services for renovations
Service phases (scope of tasks)

Additional costs may include inspections or expert reports, e.g., soil surveys.

Service	Cost
Structural calculation for a standard single-family house	1,600–2,700 Euro
Soil survey	500–1,000 Euro
Structural calculation for a garage	400–800 Euro
Hourly rate depending on complexity	80–120 Euro

For cost estimation, approx. 55% of construction costs are for the building structure and 10% for technical installations.

Structural engineer costs for renovation

In renovations, structural changes often affect overall stability (e.g., wall removal, ceiling openings, balcony extensions). A structural engineer calculates whether reinforcement is required.

Service	Cost
Check ceiling load for openings	500–900 Euro
Verify removal of non-load-bearing wall	250–500 Euro
Structural calculation for removal/replacement of load-bearing wall	500–900 Euro
Calculation for balcony extension	400–600 Euro

It is generally recommended to consult a structural engineer for older buildings.

Tip: Costs for structural assessments can be tax-deductible as extraordinary expenses if performed as a preventive measure.

What tasks does a structural engineer perform?

Create structural plans for new and renovated buildings
Produce reports on stability and load-bearing capacity
Create execution plans
Provide consulting services on building statics for architects, owners, or planners
Supervise construction site work as a site manager
Act as an inspection engineer to verify submitted structural calculations

Inspection costs are borne by the client and are calculated based on the construction sum.