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Structural engineer cost Netherlands 2026 — fees for structural calculations
How much does a structural engineer cost in the Netherlands in 2026? Complete overview of fees for load-bearing wall removal, extensions, foundations, and when you need both an architect and structural engineer.
Quick answer
Hiring a structural engineer in the Netherlands in 2026 costs on average € 800–€ 3,500 for a standard renovation (load-bearing wall removal, extension, dormer). For new builds or complex projects this rises to € 5,000–€ 15,000. Structural engineers typically charge by the hour (€ 90–€ 150/hr) or as a fixed price per assignment.
Costs by assignment
| Assignment | Description | Cost | |---|---|---| | Load-bearing wall removal (calculation + drawing) | Moment calculation, steel specification | € 800–€ 2,000 | | Dormer or roof extension | Structural calculation + details | € 600–€ 1,500 | | Rear/side extension | Foundation, floor, roof, façade | € 1,500–€ 4,000 | | Foundation repair / underpinning | Pile calculation, soil investigation | € 2,000–€ 6,000 | | Complete new-build house | Full structural engineering | € 5,000–€ 12,000 | | Structural assessment of existing building | Inspection + report | € 600–€ 2,000 | | Permit drawings (structural section) | Per NEN-EN 1990–1997 | € 1,000–€ 3,500 |
When do you need a structural engineer?
| Work | Structural engineer required | |---|---| | Removing or breaking through a load-bearing wall | Always | | Extension, outbuilding, or dormer | Yes (foundation + roof structure) | | New-build house | Yes (complete structural design) | | Roof extension or adding a storey | Yes | | Foundation problems / subsidence | Yes | | Non-load-bearing interior partitions | Not needed | | Window replacement (same size) | Not needed |
When do you also need an architect?
- Permit-required renovation: the architect produces the building plan; the structural engineer provides structural calculations as an annex
- New build: architect and structural engineer always work together — the architect is responsible for the design, the structural engineer for structural safety
- Listed buildings or protected townscapes: architect required for the environmental permit; structural engineer for structural interventions
- Extensions > 20% of floor area: architect coordinates the overall design; structural engineer calculates
In most cases, architect and structural engineer work as a team. The architect may pay the structural engineer directly and include the fee in their overall charge.
Hourly rates structural engineers 2026
| Type of firm | Hourly rate (excl. VAT) | |---|---| | Freelance structural engineer | € 85–€ 120/hr | | Small consultancy (2–10 people) | € 95–€ 140/hr | | Large engineering firm | € 120–€ 180/hr | | Specialist foundation advice | € 130–€ 200/hr |
Tips to keep structural engineering costs under control
- Ask your architect to recommend a structural engineer — their collaboration is already established
- Provide good drawings: fewer assumptions mean fewer billable hours
- Bundle structural assignments: one firm for the whole project is cheaper than separate contracts
- Verify NEN certification (required for environmental permit submissions in NL)
- Budget rule of thumb: structural engineer fees are 3–8% of total construction cost
Conclusion
Hiring a structural engineer in 2026 costs on average € 800–€ 3,500 for a standard renovation. For any structural intervention — load-bearing wall, extension, new build — a structural engineer is legally required. Architect and structural engineer work as a team.
archi.sulerr.com coordinates both architect and structural engineer — from permit application to structural calculations, integrated into one building plan.