Benco Design

Benco Design, structural engineering and construction management in the UK

Benco Design is a structural engineering and construction management company serving the UK. The firm presents itself as a professional company that supports the client from initial concept through to project completion, and states that all its engineers are chartered members of the UK Institute of Structural Engineers.

The company states it has a network of offices in Bristol, Cardiff, Ilford, London Finchley, Northampton, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Southampton, Uxbridge and Weston-Super-Mare, in addition to the cities mentioned on its home page (London, Essex, Nottingham and Portsmouth). It works with architects, builders and developers, and states that a significant proportion of its new commissions come through these partners.

Specialities and technical services

The firm defines itself as specialising in conversions, extensions and chimney removals. Its service catalogue includes structural calculations, building control applications, AutoCAD drawings, loft conversion designs, extensions, underpinning and repairs, and new house design.

Among the technical services it lists are beam and column design, foundation design, retaining wall design, load-bearing wall removal design and chimney removal, as well as compliance with fire escape standards. It also offers design and access statements, transport statements, professional consultant certificates, structural surveys and reports, health and safety advice, flood risk assessments, professional witness statements, party wall agreements and build-over agreements for Thames Water and Southern Water infrastructure.

In the area of management, it takes on design leadership, project management, on-site quality inspection and monitoring compliance with building regulations.

Types of projects and sectors served

Benco Design works on small and large-scale projects. Its portfolio includes rear and side extensions, loft conversions, full renovations and multi-storey new-builds. It also works on renovating existing buildings, grocery shops, offices, restaurants and pubs to transform them into modern spaces, as well as converting offices into residential units.

The website shows examples of projects in Cardiff, Bristol, Nottingham, Beaumont Road, Chichester, Totteridge (north London), Southsea, Portsmouth, Winchester, Hendon and Potters Bar. Among the works cited are rear and side extensions, loft conversions, chimney removals, raising the height of garage roofs, garage conversions, internal renovations and the transformation of an agricultural storage building into a dwelling.

Professional profile and client relationship

The company stresses that each member of its team brings their own specialities and that work is organised as a team to cover the skills required for each project. It states that it assists the client with the legal requirements of design and construction, and that, on request, it handles dealings with the local council.

In its presentation it highlights its speed of response, the competitiveness of its quotes and its willingness to adapt to the client's requirements. The testimonials collected on the website, attributed to clients, mention the speed of design delivery, the recalculation of calculations at no extra cost, finding solutions to complex problems within budget and the professional relationship maintained over the years.

Tools and complementary services

The firm offers a mobile web app that allows you to obtain an instant quote based on a series of criteria, upload and send plans and receive a formal quote within 48 hours. It also maintains a directory of construction professionals that its clients can access; the company itself warns that it does not carry out any verification of the companies listed and that it is up to the user to check aspects such as previous work or insurance.

Offices and locations

Bournemouth, Christchurch office: Riverslea Mews Christchurch BH23 3TR · Phone: 0800 334 5516 · Email: info@bencodesign.co.uk

Bristol office: Newminter House 29 Baldwin Street Bristol, BS1 1LT

Cardiff office: 12 Cathedral Road Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9JL

High Wycombe office: Kingswood Park High Wycombe HP13 6GR

Ilford office: 63 Khartoum Road London, Ilford IF1 2NR

London Finchley office: 160 Beaufort Park London NW11 6DA

Northampton office: Lakeside House The Lakes, Bedford Road Northampton, NN4 7HD

Nottingham office: Commerce Square Lace Market Nottingham, NG1 1HS

Portsmouth office: 161-163 Elm Grove Southsea Portsmouth, PO5 1LU

Southampton office: Freemantle Business Centre Millbrook Rd. E.Freemantle Southampton, SO15 1JR

Uxbridge office: Kings Mill Way Uxbridge UB9 4BT

Weston-Super-Mare / Somerset office: The Hive 6 Beaufighter Road Weston-super-Mare, BS24 8EE