Im looking at doing some structural changes to my house, and I need a structural engineer in to do some calculations for the steels required, however with no experience of structural engineers, how do you know how much they are going to cost? Do they quote for the work before hand? or do they just turn up blind?

I only need one to do the calculations for the steels required, no actual graft!

Its dead simple what i want, my house has an extension, and the old gable wall is now in the middle of the house with a double door opening already in it, what i want to do is increase this opening by about 1 metre either side to create an open plan living room, dining area and kitchen. I will need two steels in for the two course of brick, but i need to know the size of said steels and any connections neccesary,

any one shed any light??

ive found plenty local engineers, but could do with ball park figures before i ring them up and see how much it might cost me!!

thanks,