What is a Conservation Engineer and do you need one?

You may have come across the term “Conservation Engineer” if you’re looking at buying a listed building or already own one. It sounds pretty niche, but in practice can make a significant difference to how a historic building is repaired, altered or preserved.

Below are some of the questions we’re most often asked by potential clients, answered by our very own experienced Conservation Engineer, Mark Jerzak CEng MICE CARE.

What is a Conservation Engineer?

Simply put, a Conservation Engineer is usually a Structural Engineer or Civil Engineer who specialises in historic buildings.

While this sounds fairly straightforward, it’s the difference in approach that’s key. Much of modern structural engineering relies on standardised design methods and software-led solutions. Those tools are useful (we do use them ourselves on non-heritage projects - we’re not Luddites!), but they are not always appropriate for buildings that were constructed centuries ago using completely different materials and techniques.

Conservation Engineers spend a lot of time getting to know and understand traditional materials, how they behave and how they age. Lime mortar, timber frames, early ironwork, masonry built in ways that are no longer common in the industry. You cannot approach these buildings in the same way you would a new steel frame.

The philosophy is also different. Rather than replacing or redesigning, the focus is on minimal intervention, compatibility and reversibility. The aim is to understand what is already there and make it last, rather than starting again.

It’s slower, more forensic work. It often involves being on site, inspecting closely, asking questions and making decisions based on experience as much as calculation.

Do I need a Conservation Engineer for my listed building?

Increasingly, we’re finding the answer to this is: yes.

For more significant listed buildings, particularly Grade I and II*, it is becoming more common for planning and listed building consent to include a condition requiring a Conservation-accredited Engineer.

Even where it is not formally required, conservation officers will often expect to see input from someone who understands historic structures. If proposals are based on inappropriate assumptions or materials, they can be challenged or rejected.

We have seen cases where a standard structural solution has been proposed, only for it to be refused because it does not respect the building’s fabric. Replacing a timber beam with steel or concrete might make sense structurally, but it is not always acceptable from a conservation perspective.

Each local authority (LA) has its own approach and philosophy when it comes to listed buildings, and views can vary vastly. That is why experience matters. MESH Consulting Engineers have developed trust with LAs across the South West. At the end of the day, understanding how to navigate those conversations, and what is likely to be acceptable, can save you a significant amount of time (and money!).

Bristol Museum - we planned discreet interventions that respected both the building’s layout and heritage value

What does a Conservation Engineer do?

At its core, the role is to understand how a historic structure works and what it needs.

That usually starts with an assessment and then diagnosis. Looking at the building, identifying how it was constructed - what materials were used and what methods - as well as analysing what has changed over time and where the risks lie.

From there, we develop repair strategies using materials and methods that are compatible with the original construction. That might involve specifying lime-based repairs, timber splice details or other techniques that help us retain as much of the existing fabric as possible.

We also work on alterations and extensions to listed buildings. These can be challenging, particularly where new elements need to sit alongside historic structures. The aim is always to make those interventions work structurally while remaining sympathetic to the original building.

A large part of the role is collaboration. Working with conservation officers, planning authorities, Historic England and design teams to balance structural requirements with heritage considerations. Modern building regulations still apply to new work we’re undertaking, even when the existing building does not meet them in any way, shape or form.

What’s the difference between a Conservation Engineer and a Structural Engineer?

Most Conservation Engineers are Structural Engineers, but not all Structural Engineers specialise in conservation.

The main difference lies in the additional training, experience and approach. Conservation Engineers know how to stabilise structures, but they’re also experts in traditional materials and historic methods of construction. Georgian timber structures, Victorian ironwork, medieval masonry - we are competent in all of these and more. These are not things you can pick up quickly without hands-on experience; they take time and care.

Which is why we believe there’s a different mindset and philosophy to conservation engineering. The aim is not just to make a building safe and stable, but to preserve its significance. And we find that often means doing less, not more. 

In the UK, Conservation Engineers are accredited through the CARE scheme (Conservation Accreditation Register for Engineers). It is an extremely rigorous process and demonstrates a commitment to working in this field properly. 

There’s about 100 of us on the CARE list, you can see who’s who here.

When should I engage a Conservation Engineer?

Ideally, you want to get in touch with one of us before a planning application is submitted. An early assessment can help shape planning proposals so they are more likely to be accepted by planning officers and avoid unnecessary revisions later on.

If you are buying a listed building, it can also be useful to have a Conservation Engineer carry out an inspection. This is not the same as a survey, but it can highlight structural issues specific to the history of your potential new home and give a clearer understanding of what may be required, now or in the future.

There are also situations where a Conservation Engineer is needed urgently. Following a fire, impact damage or any situation where the stability of a historic structure is in question, an informed approach is essential.

Conservation Engineers are also involved in alterations, extensions and ongoing maintenance of buildings. In many of these cases you would probably need a structural engineer anyway, but the difference is in how sympathetically the building is approached.

What buildings require a Conservation Engineer?

Listed buildings are the most obvious category, whether Grade I, II* or II.

Beyond that, conservation areas, scheduled monuments and buildings within UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Bath, often require a similar approach.

There are also non-designated heritage assets. These are buildings recognised locally as having historic or architectural significance, even if they are not formally listed. In many of these cases, a conservation-led approach is still appropriate and our expertise is required.

Recently MESH Consulting Engineers carried out a structural inspection at a Grade II listed farmhouse in south Somerset where the external Blue Lias stonework was showing extensive decay and delamination - to 40mm of stone loss was measured.

How much does a Conservation Engineer cost?

Fees are generally structured in a similar way to other structural engineering services.

Conservation work often requires more detailed investigation, and sometimes that includes more site time, which has obvious cost implications. On top of that, the process may require a bit more iteration and collaboration between client, architect, and Engineer, as we work to find harmony between clients’ requirements and a building’s unique constraints.

Doing things properly does save money in the long run, though. Understanding what’s really going on in a listed building - in all its complexity - usually takes longer than designing something new.

Inappropriate repairs can cause long-term damage and lead to more costly interventions later on. There can also be delays to your project if proposals are not accepted by the planning authority.

If you own a listed building, you’re the custodian of that heritage asset for future generations. Everyone knows owning a listed building is expensive because it comes with responsibilities. They need more time and care, and there’s more statutory authorities to satisfy and a few more hoops to jump through than there are with a regular building. 

But we believe (and so do you probably!) that it is worth it to preserve that history and the heritage. 

What should I look for when choosing a Conservation Engineer?

Take care to check out their experience and accreditation. CARE accreditation is the most widely recognised benchmark in the UK - and it truly is a demanding process.

Engineers with “CARE” after their name have been assessed specifically on their ability to work with historic structures.

Beyond that, look for someone who can clearly explain their approach and has proven experience working with similar buildings and local authorities. If in doubt, ask them.

Can’t I just use any Structural Engineer for my listed building?

You can, but there are risks involved.

Most importantly, you need to make sure the person you work with is competent. For anything we do, whether that’s when our washing machine is leaking or the garden wall is collapsing, we want to hire someone who knows what they’re doing.

As a listed building owner, you want to be a responsible guardian. You want to engage a Conservation Engineer.

If you don’t use a Conservation Engineer, that carries a risk of them proposing inappropriate specifications - cement instead of lime; over-engineering.  Solutions that are technically sound but won’t work in a conservation context.

There is also a planning risk, with consent delays or refusals. Once the planning officer isn’t happy with your proposals they can be challenging to get on side. If you want to sail on smooth waters, work with a CARE-accredited Engineer. 

In the grand scale of human existence, caring for older buildings is relatively new. In 1877, William Morris (yes, that guy gets everywhere) founded The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). It wasn’t until 1968 when the Town and Country Planning Act was brought in and regulations for listed buildings became clearer. So many inappropriate repairs have been carried out on listed buildings in the past, before protections and scrutiny were in place. And that’s why it matters.

We are here now and making a difference. If you are responsible for a listed building, it makes sense to engage someone who understands that responsibility.

What areas does MESH cover?

MESH Consulting Engineers are based in the South West, working across Bath, Bristol and the surrounding region.

We have extensive experience working within the planning frameworks of local authorities including Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Somerset and Dorset. Many of these areas include designated heritage assets, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath.

Over time we have built relationships with planning officers and conservation officers, so when reports are submitted, there is already an understanding of how we work and the level of detail we provide. That familiarity can make the process smoother for everyone involved. We are known and trusted.

If you are working with a historic building, or simply trying to understand what might be required, these questions are a good place to start. If you’ve still got a burning question, get in touch.