RCA Structures
RCA Structures is a privately held UK structural engineering consultancy, founded in 1972 and based in Bishop's Stortford, providing domestic and commercial structural design, surveys, and steel fabrication engineering to homeowners, developers, and fabricators across London and the South-East.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersBishops Stortford, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What RCA Structures does
RCA Structures (legal entity: Roger Carlton (Structures) Limited) is a privately held UK structural engineering consultancy founded in 1972 and headquartered in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire. The firm provides professional structural engineering design, surveys, and build support across both domestic and commercial building projects, operating from a single office and serving clients across London and the South-East of England. Services span structural surveys for mortgage and condition purposes, refurbishment design, domestic new builds and extensions, commercial multi-storey and steel connection design, steel fabrication design for fabricators, and NHBC Timber Frame Certification (NHBC HB244511/10) issued under Eurocode standards.
The firm works on a project-by-project basis with three primary customer groups: individual homeowners requiring beam, foundation, and extension design; commercial property developers (e.g., Amherst Homes, Telford Homes, Royal Wharf, Clarendon Road, Stone Studios) undertaking housing estates, mixed-use schemes, and high-rise balconies and staircases; and steel fabrication companies (30+ throughout the South of England) requiring detailed structural calculations for balconies, staircases, balustrades, canopies, and connections. Notable projects span Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Heathrow Airport, Wembley Stadium, Crossrail, Network Rail's National Rail Centre, and the Natural History Museum. Pricing is published unit-rate for smaller engagements (structural surveys from £400 + VAT, barn conversion surveys from £600 + VAT, general charges at £90/hour + VAT) and project-quoted for larger work, with all quotations grounded in a stated 'Value Engineering' philosophy emphasising efficient material use and constructability.
The firm is owner-operated: Chartered Civil Engineer Ian Devonshire acquired the business in 2002 and serves as Managing Director, with an Associate Director, Senior Engineer, and additional engineering staff bringing the team to approximately 10-15 people. The firm is registered ISO 9001 compliant, is a member of the Institution of Structural Engineers, and follows CDM guidelines. Distribution is direct and referral-driven via phone, email, a case-study portfolio, and a curated network of recommended local architects, builders, and surveyors. The business is debt-free with no external investors, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed revenue.
RCA Structures firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RCA Structures
- Legal name
- ROGER CARLTON (STRUCTURES) LIMITED
- Website
- https://rcastructures.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- RCA Structures is a privately held UK structural engineering consultancy, founded in 1972 and based in Bishop's Stortford, providing domestic and commercial structural design, surveys, and steel fabrication engineering to homeowners, developers, and fabricators across London and the South-East.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RCA Structures industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Structural Engineering Services
- NAICS
- Engineering Services (541330), Architectural Services (541310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Architectural & Miscellaneous Metals (Stairs, Railings, Ladders) (IMADACAE)
Keywords
Where RCA Structures is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bishops Stortford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
RCA Structures business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Structural Engineering Consulting: Project-based structural engineering design services for commercial and domestic projects. Quotations based on 'Value Engineering' philosophy emphasising efficient material use and practical construction considerations.
- Structural Surveys: Full structural surveys for mortgage purposes and property condition assessments. Provides detailed structural reports with advice on issues, causes, and remedial works.
- Steel Fabrication Design: Design services for steel fabricators including balconies, staircases, balustrading, cat ladders, cladding support systems, and steel connections. Works with over 30 steel fabrication companies throughout the South of England.
- NHBC Timber Frame Certification: Accredited certification service for timber frame design and installation to NHBC standards (Eurocode design and specification).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Structural Survey Rates - Bishop's Stortford Area |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Structural Survey Rates - Outside Bishop's Stortford |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Barn Conversion Surveys for Planning Permission - Bishop's Stortford Area |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Barn Conversion Surveys for Planning Permission - Outside Area |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | General Charges |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Other Work |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
RCA Structures product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RCA Structures provides structural engineering design, surveys, and build services for both domestic and commercial building projects. Their offerings span steel fabrication design, structural surveys, domestic new builds and extensions, commercial design, refurbishment works, and NHBC timber frame certification. They operate as a consultancy producing structural calculations, drawings, and engineering solutions for clients including homeowners, developers, steel fabricators, architects, and building contractors across London and the South of England.
Product overview
RCA Structures is a structural engineering consultancy providing first-class domestic and commercial structural engineering services for over 40 years. The company operates from Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, covering London and the South-East. Their portfolio of services includes Structural Surveys, Refurbishment Works, Domestic New Build, Domestic Extensions, Commercial Design, NHBC Timber Frame Certification, and Steel Fabrication Design. All quotations are based on a 'Value Engineering' philosophy—efficient material use combined with practical considerations for access, construction, and maintenance. The company follows Eurocodes and British Standards and is CDM compliant. Their high-profile projects span the Natural History Museum, National Rail Centre, Royal Wharf, Crossrail, and various London developments. Notable clients include Vinci Facilities Plc, Network Rail, and major steel fabricators.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Structural Surveys Full structural surveys for mortgage purposes and steel-framed properties (Trusteel houses), providing detailed reports on building structure, potential issues, causes, and remedial works. Targeted at homeowners, property buyers, and building owners requiring structural condition assessments. Priced from £400 + VAT in Bishop's Stortford area, £400-800 + VAT outside.
- Refurbishment Works Structural renovation assistance for existing properties including advice and structural design for repair or support issues. Targeted at homeowners and property owners undertaking renovation, repair, or alteration works on existing buildings.
- Domestic New Build Structural design services for large housing estates and small blocks of flats for developers. Targeted at property developers building new residential housing estates and small multi-unit developments.
- Domestic Extensions
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 27,000 jobs completed successfully
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use RCA Structures
Customer profileNamed customers25 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
RCA Structures technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
RCA Structures partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered recommended and key partner.
- Hertfordshire Building Company LimitedrecommendedRecommended local builder contact for clients requiring construction services. Located at 137 London Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG13 7RH. Contact: Peter Cato, Telephone: 01992 550835 / 07813 624401.
- W. King Building Services LimitedrecommendedRecommended local builder for clients requiring construction services. Located in Bishop's Stortford area. Contact: Ed King, Telephone: 01279 730310 / 07932 798604.
- Springham Contracts LimitedrecommendedRecommended local builder contact. Located at Limes House, The Butts, Fowlmere, Hertfordshire SG8 7FD. Contact: Craig Springham, Telephone: 07866 612622.
- Meadowson LimitedrecommendedRecommended piling contractor for foundation work. Located at Hailey Lane, Hailey, Hertfordshire SG13 7NY. Contact: Dick Cavell, Telephone: 01992 448801 / 07968 098763.
- Dennis Sharp Architects Ltdkey partnerRecommended local architect firm. Worked with RCA on Bayford Grange project - Georgian house renovation managed by Dennis Sharp Architects with sympathetic structural repairs to grade 2 listed building. Located at 1 Woodcock Lodge, Epping Green, Hertfordshire SG13 8ND. Contact: Yasmin Shariff, Telephone: 01707 875253.
- Canon Architectural Design LtdrecommendedRecommended local architect firm. Located at 38 Town Street, Thaxted, Dunmow, Essex CM6 2LA. Contact: Tom Cannon, Telephone: 01799 334113.
- Three Square Design LimitedrecommendedRecommended local architect firm. Located at 24 The Pastures, Takeley, Near Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire CM22 6TJ. Contact: Andrew Tate, Telephone: 01279 870767.
- BRD Tech LimitedrecommendedRecommended architect/technical services. Located at Bell Street Studios, Bell Street, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire CM21 9AN. Contact: Alistair Allan, Telephone: 01279 600110.
- Wakefield PoyserrecommendedRecommended architect services. Located at Parndon Mill, Parndon Mill Lane, Harlow, Essex CM20 2HO. Contact: Jerry Poyser, Telephone: 01279 442720 / 07966 420827.
- Newton AssociatesrecommendedRecommended party wall surveyors for boundary and neighbour matters. Located at Unit L3, The Maltings Station Road, Hertfordshire CM21 9JX. Telephone: 0800 030 9084.
- Hertfordshire Building ControlrecommendedLocal Authority Building Control partner for building regulation approvals. Free Homeowners Guide to extensions available via their website.
- Uttlesford District CouncilrecommendedLocal authority building control partner for building regulation approvals in Uttlesford area.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
RCA Structures competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Curtins: UK structural and civil engineering consultancy with offices across the country including London and the South-East. Comparable in offering structural design for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects with an emphasis on buildings and steelwork.
- Price & Myers: London-based structural engineering consultancy with a comparable domestic and commercial portfolio including bespoke residential, heritage, and commercial projects. Like RCA, it is a specialist structural firm rather than a full multidisciplinary practice, making it a close functional peer.
- HRW (Waterman Group / HRW Engineers): UK structural engineering practice (part of Waterman Group) operating across London and the regions on commercial, residential, education, and healthcare buildings. Directly comparable to RCA on project mix and client base (developers, contractors, architects).
- Ellis and Moore: London and South-East structural engineering consultancy offering residential, commercial, heritage, and steelwork design. Closely comparable in scale, geography, and service mix to RCA Structures.
- Campbell Reith: UK structural and civil engineering consultancy delivering building structures, infrastructure, and geo-environmental services. Overlaps directly with RCA on domestic, commercial, and developer-led structural design in the South of England.
Broad incumbents
- Buro Happold: International engineering consultancy with strong UK presence in structural, facade, and infrastructure engineering. Comparable on complex steelwork and feature-structure briefs (Olympic Park, Wembley class projects) that sit in RCA's portfolio.
- WSP: Global professional services firm with a large UK structural and civil engineering capability across property, transport, and infrastructure. Competes with RCA for enterprise, developer, and public-sector structural design mandates.
- Arup: Global engineering, design, and advisory firm with a major UK structural engineering practice operating across transport, buildings, and infrastructure. A much larger incumbent that competes for the same enterprise and public-sector briefs (Network Rail, Crossrail, Vinci tier) that RCA serves.
- Mott MacDonald: Global engineering consultancy with significant UK structural and infrastructure design practice. Overlaps with RCA on transport-infrastructure work (Network Rail, Crossrail tier clients) and large developer-led commercial schemes.
Emerging players
- Fluid Structures: UK structural engineering consultancy with a strong specialism in complex steelwork, glass, and architectural metals — directly comparable to RCA's steel-staircase, balustrade, and feature-bridge design capabilities.
Market position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
RCA Structures social profiles
Digital presenceRCA Structures compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
RCA Structures financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RCA Structures leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
RCA Structures funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RCA Structures M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about RCA Structures
What does RCA Structures do?
RCA Structures provides structural engineering design, surveys, and build services for both domestic and commercial building projects. Their offerings span steel fabrication design, structural surveys, domestic new builds and extensions, commercial design, refurbishment works, and NHBC timber frame certification. They operate as a consultancy producing structural calculations, drawings, and engineering solutions for clients including homeowners, developers, steel fabricators, architects, and building contractors across London and the South of England.
Is RCA Structures a public or private company?
RCA Structures is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was RCA Structures founded?
RCA Structures was founded in 1972. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is RCA Structures based?
RCA Structures is headquartered in Bishops Stortford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does RCA Structures make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Structural Engineering Consulting is the primary driver. The others are structural Surveys, steel Fabrication Design and NHBC Timber Frame Certification.
Who are RCA Structures's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Curtins, Price & Myers, HRW (Waterman Group / HRW Engineers), Ellis and Moore and Campbell Reith. Broad incumbents are Buro Happold, WSP, Arup and Mott MacDonald. Fluid Structures is listed as an emerging player.
Does RCA Structures have an API?
No public API is recorded for RCA Structures.
What industry is RCA Structures in?
RCA Structures's product category is Structural Engineering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAIAA, Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting, with a secondary code of IMADACAE, Architectural & Miscellaneous Metals (Stairs, Railings, Ladders). Its NAICS code is 541330.