Chartered Construction & Design Consultants

Building the Future,
Built on Expertise

Specialists in residential construction consultancy — from house extensions and loft conversions to new builds. We provide expert structural engineering, architectural drawings, and planning advice to homeowners, local builders, and architects across the North West.

Our Services Free Consultation
45+
Years Chartered Experience
100s
Projects Delivered
Any
Size of Project
From single house extensions to multi-unit developments — every project gets the same expert attention
Who We Are

Chartered Consultants with a Proven Track Record

Keystone Construction Consultancy is a highly experienced practice offering the full spectrum of construction and design consultancy services. We advise private individuals, local builders, architects, and developers across the North West.

Our directors bring over four decades of hands-on construction expertise — from major infrastructure schemes to luxury residential projects — combined with deep knowledge of planning, building regulations, structural engineering, and funding.

We believe every project deserves rigorous professional input from day one. Whether you need a structural calculation, a planning application, or a full project management service, Keystone provides clear, chartered advice you can rely on.

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Chartered Institute of Builders Chartered Builder & Chartered Construction Manager accreditation
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North West & Beyond Projects delivered across Cheshire, Merseyside and Wales
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End-to-End Delivery From initial feasibility through planning, design, and construction management
What We Do

Our Services

01
Structural Reports
Comprehensive structural assessments for residential and commercial properties, identifying defects, load-bearing requirements, and remedial recommendations.
02
Condition Reports
Detailed condition surveys documenting the current state of a property — essential for purchase, insurance, or pre-development due diligence.
03
Structural Calculations
Precise engineering calculations for extensions, new builds, beam insertions, and alterations — prepared to Building Regulations standard and ready for submission.
04
Architectural Drawings
Professional architectural drawings for planning applications and building regulations, from simple extensions to complex new-build schemes.
05
Planning Applications
Full preparation and submission of planning applications, permitted development assessments, and liaison with local planning authorities on your behalf.
06
Building Regulations
Preparation of full plans submissions and building regulations packages ensuring compliance with all current statutory requirements.
07
Project Management
Hands-on project management from procurement to handover, ensuring programmes are met, quality is maintained, and costs are controlled.
08
Feasibility Studies
Rigorous feasibility assessments for development opportunities, including viability appraisals, site analysis, and development potential reports.
09
Funding Consultancy
Expert advice on funding options including Homes England grants, Housing Association partnerships, and public sector investment routes for residential development.
Our Directors

The People Behind Keystone

PD
Paul Doughty
Director — Chartered Builder & Construction Manager

Paul brings over 45 years of construction and development expertise spanning the public and private sectors. A Chartered Builder and Chartered Construction Manager (MCIOB, 1985), he founded and led multiple successful construction and architectural practices, including Mainframe Construction (40+ staff), SDA Architecture, and Evoke Architecture. Paul has delivered projects from a £76M urban renewal scheme in Birkenhead to luxury residential homes on the Wirral. He has advised BNY Mellon on social impact investing, consulted with Homes England, and served as Chair of Merseyside Pension Fund overseeing £47 billion in assets.

MW
Matthew Worthington
Director — Construction & Design Consultant

Matthew is an experienced professional who has managed major government-commissioned projects and led complex residential renovation programmes across the North West, coordinating multiple professional teams to deliver on time and within budget. At Keystone, Matthew provides clients with clear, technically rigorous advice from the outset of their project, ensuring every scheme is well-planned, compliant, and delivered to the highest standard.

Our Work

Residential Projects

We work on projects of all sizes. Click any category below to see examples of our previous work.

Most Popular
Loft Conversions
Structural design, calculations and drawings for all types of loft conversion — dormer, hip-to-gable, mansard and Velux.
View Examples ↓
Extensions
House Extensions
Single and double storey extensions — structural calculations, architectural drawings and planning applications handled from start to finish.
View Examples ↓
Conversions
Garage Conversions
Structural assessments and drawings for garage conversions — including beam design, foundation checks and building regulations packages.
View Examples ↓
Engineering
Structural Calculations
Standalone structural calculations for beams, columns, foundations and more — provided quickly and in the format your builder or building control needs.
View Examples ↓
Reports
Structural Surveys & Reports
Pre-purchase structural surveys, condition reports and structural appraisals — giving you the information you need before you buy or build.
View Examples ↓
Planning
Planning Applications
Full planning application packages including drawings, design and access statements — submitted on your behalf to Wirral, Cheshire West, or any local authority.
View Examples ↓
Client Feedback

What Our Clients Say

★★★★★
"Keystone handled our extension from structural calculations right through to building regs sign-off. Professional, responsive and excellent value."
— Residential Client, Cheshire
★★★★★
"Paul's knowledge of the planning system is second to none. Our application was approved first time with no issues whatsoever."
— Property Developer, Wirral
★★★★★
"Matthew guided us through a complex structural survey with great clarity. We felt fully informed at every stage. Would highly recommend."
— Home Owner, Neston
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Knowledge Base

Technical Guidance

Practical technical guidance written by our team — covering the most common structural topics we deal with every day. If you have a question not covered here, get in touch.

Structural Steelwork

Universal Beams, Columns & Steel Connections

Steel sections are used extensively in residential construction — most commonly when removing load-bearing walls, forming openings, or supporting floor and roof loads over large spans. The two most common section types are Universal Beams (UB) and Universal Columns (UC).

A Universal Beam is an I-shaped steel section designed primarily to resist bending — ideal for spanning horizontally over openings such as removed walls, garage doors, or wide window openings. The deeper the section, the stiffer and stronger it is for a given span.

A Universal Column has a stockier profile and is designed to carry vertical compressive loads — used as posts, columns, or stanchions where point loads need to be transferred down through a structure.

Connections are how steelwork is joined together or fixed to supporting structure. Common types include welded end plates, bolted cleats, and base plates set into concrete. The choice depends on the loads involved, the site conditions, and ease of fabrication and erection.

Keystone specifies and calculates steel sections for residential projects of all sizes. We work with Alexander Steel in Liverpool for supply and fabrication — a local, reliable partner we trust to deliver quality steelwork to our specifications.

Steel beam construction
Common Residential Applications
  • → Removing a chimney breast or load-bearing wall
  • → Creating open-plan kitchen/dining spaces
  • → Supporting new floor structure in loft conversions
  • → Wide openings for bi-fold or sliding doors
  • → Supporting structure above garage openings
Masonry crack repair
Signs You May Need Crack Stitching
  • → Diagonal cracks from corners of windows or doors
  • → Stepped cracking through mortar joints
  • → Cracking that has reappeared after previous repairs
  • → Separation between internal and external walls
  • → Cracks wider than 3mm or growing over time
Masonry Repair

Crack Stitching & Stitch Pointing

Cracks in brickwork and masonry are common in older properties — particularly those built on clay soils, or where there has been foundation movement, thermal expansion, or failed wall ties. Not all cracks are serious, but some require structural intervention to prevent further deterioration.

Crack stitching (also known as stitch pointing) is one of the most effective and least disruptive methods of repairing structural cracks in masonry. It involves cutting slots into the mortar joints on either side of the crack, then inserting stainless steel helical bars bonded with a specialist cementitious grout.

The composite action of the helical bar and grout creates a reinforced masonry beam across the crack, effectively stitching the two sides together and preventing further movement. Once complete, the repair is re-pointed and virtually invisible.

Compared with taking down and rebuilding the affected wall — which is expensive, disruptive, and often causes additional cracking — crack stitching is significantly more economical and can usually be completed in a day.

We assess masonry cracking as part of our structural surveys and condition reports, specify the correct repair solution, and can recommend approved local installers to carry out the work.

Substructure

Foundations — What You Need to Know

The foundation is the most critical part of any building — it transfers all loads from the structure safely into the ground. Getting it right at the outset avoids expensive problems later. The type of foundation needed depends on the ground conditions, the building loads, and the proximity of trees and drainage.

Strip foundations are the most common type for residential construction — a continuous strip of concrete under load-bearing walls. For most house extensions in typical ground conditions, a strip foundation at the correct depth will be the right solution.

Pad foundations are used under isolated point loads such as steel columns — a discrete block of reinforced concrete transferring the load from a column into the ground.

Raft foundations spread the load across a large area and are useful where ground conditions are variable or where differential settlement is a risk.

We design and specify foundation solutions for all residential project types — from straightforward extensions to new builds on challenging sites. Where ground conditions are uncertain, we recommend a site investigation to inform the design.

Foundation construction
Foundation Types at a Glance
  • → Strip — walls and extensions in good ground
  • → Pad — isolated column loads
  • → Raft — variable or weak ground conditions
  • → Piled — poor ground or heavy loads
  • → Trenchfill — near trees or clay soils
Loft conversion roof structure
What Keystone Provides for Loft Conversions
  • → Structural calculations for floor, ridge and roof beams
  • → Architectural drawings for planning and building regs
  • → Assessment of existing floor joist capacity
  • → Steel beam specification where required
  • → Liaison with building control on your behalf
Loft Conversions

The Structural Side of Loft Conversions

A loft conversion is one of the most cost-effective ways to add living space to your home — but it involves significant structural changes that require careful engineering. The existing roof structure, floor joists, and sometimes the walls below all need to be assessed and potentially strengthened.

For a Velux conversion (the simplest type), the existing roof structure is largely retained, but the floor joists almost always need upgrading to take the additional live load of a habitable room.

A dormer conversion involves cutting into the roof slope and constructing a box-shaped extension. This requires a structural frame within the dormer itself, typically using steel or timber, and careful connection back to the existing roof structure.

A hip-to-gable conversion changes the shape of a hipped roof by extending the ridge and building up a new gable end wall — requiring careful structural design to ensure stability.

We work closely with Gemini Loft Conversions on the Wirral and welcome enquiries from other loft conversion contractors who need a reliable structural engineer to support their projects.

Planning & Building Control Links
National Planning Portal
Submit planning applications online for England & Wales
Wirral Council — Planning
Search applications, apply for permission and planning advice
Wirral Council — Building Control
Submit building control applications and request inspections
Cheshire West — Planning
Planning applications and advice for Cheshire West & Chester
Cheshire West — Building Regs
Building regulations guidance and applications for Cheshire West
Do I Need Planning Permission?
Use the Planning Portal's interactive guide to check if you need permission
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need planning permission?
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What are Building Regulations?
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Do I need structural calculations for an extension?
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What is a structural survey?
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How long does planning permission take?
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What is stitch pointing / crack stitching?
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Who We Work With

Our Partners & Clients

Alexander Steel
Recommended Steel Supplier · Liverpool
Gemini Loft Conversions
Loft Conversion Specialists · Wirral
SC Eye Clinic
Structural Appraisal Client
Tours Housing
Housing Client

Partner and client logos shown with permission. Contact us to discuss partnership opportunities.

Get in Touch

Start Your Project Today

We'd love to hear from you

Whether you have a straightforward query or a complex development in mind, our team is ready to provide clear, expert advice. Get in touch for a free initial consultation.

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Email info@keystonecc.co.uk
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Office Address Keystone Lodge, Church Farm Estate, Church Lane, Thurstaston, Wirral, CH61 0HW
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Website keystonecc.co.uk
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