Freedom Homes Structural Engineering Case File

Overview

This case file documents my experience with Freedom Homes Architects, based in Ealing, London. I commissioned them to provide structural engineering for a rear extension. I paid:

• £1,390 – Structural engineering pack
• £280 – Engineering amendment fee

The structural pack delivered contained multiple omissions and errors, was not Building Control‑ready, and caused significant delays to my extension and solar installation.

About Freedom Homes Architects (Ealing)

Freedom Homes Architects publicly advertise a 5‑star rating on their website. This rating is:

• Self‑published on their own website
• Not independently verified by Trustpilot or Google Reviews
• Based on selected testimonials rather than full customer feedback
• Not representative of structural engineering projects
• Not reflective of the issues documented in this case file

View the Planning Application (Enfield Council)

The extension project is a real, verified planning application submitted to Enfield Council. Planning applications are public records and can be viewed online.

Planning Portal Link:
Enfield Council Planning Application

This link allows anyone to verify:

• The property address
• The extension design
• The architectural drawings
• The timeline of submission
• The legitimacy of the project

Timeline of Events

Key dates documenting payments, pack delivery, complaints, and refund requests.

• 8 May 2026 – £1,390 structural fee paid
• 22 May 2026 – £280 amendment fee paid
• 28 May 2026 – Initial structural pack delivered
• 2 June 2026 – SK 101 Rev A issued
• 15 July 2026 – Formal complaint submitted
• 22 July 2026 – Refund request submitted
• 23 July 2026 – Refund request escalated to managing director

Structural Pack Issues

The structural pack contained multiple omissions:

• No lintel design for new window
• No flat roof structural design
• No stepped foundation option
• No hybrid roof structural notes
• No Velux window structural confirmation
• Incorrect project metadata
• Missing floor build‑up

Foundation Depth Failure

Freedom Homes confirmed the 2.49 m foundation depth was based on assumptions from a photo of a tree, without soil investigation or arboricultural assessment.

This contradicts:

• NHBC 4.2
• BS 5837
• LABC guidance
• BS 8004

Engineering Errors

This section documents technical issues identified in the structural pack provided by Freedom Homes Architects. All items are supported by written evidence and project documentation.

Incorrect Address

The engineering pack contained an incorrect project address, indicating a lack of verification and quality control.

Missing Lintel Design

No lintel specifications were provided for new openings, preventing builder pricing and Building Control submission.

Incomplete Roof Structure

The roof structure was not fully designed, with missing load paths and incomplete timber specifications.

Foundation Depth Assumptions

Foundation depths were based on assumptions rather than verified soil conditions or tree influence analysis.

Cut-and-Paste Drawings

Several drawings appeared to be reused templates not tailored to the project, with inconsistencies and contradictions.

Paid-For Amendments Not Delivered

Engineering amendments that were paid for were acknowledged but not completed.

Engineering Amendments Not Delivered

The £280 amendment fee covered architectural and engineering changes for a new window opening. Architectural drawings were partially updated, but no engineering amendments were delivered.

Communication Delays

Examples of delays:

• 8–9 day response times
• Ignored foundation recalculation requests
• Ignored stepped foundation requests
• Ignored flat roof structural requests
• Ignored lintel design requests

Communication Timeline

This timeline documents key communication events between myself and Freedom Homes Architects. All entries are based on written messages, emails, and dated correspondence.

15 July 2026

Freedom Homes acknowledged my concerns and stated they would pass the issues to their engineer.

20 July 2026

Freedom Homes reported that their office had been without internet since Thursday, delaying their response.

21 July 2026

Freedom Homes stated they would speak to the engineer about a possible refund and acknowledged that some required items were not engineering tasks.

Late July 2026

Multiple follow-up messages were sent requesting confirmation of receipt, without addressing the technical issues raised.

2 August 2026

Freedom Homes sent further messages requesting contact and suggesting a “misunderstanding.”

4 August 2026

Checkatrade confirmed that Freedom Homes submitted a takedown request regarding my review.

Behaviour & Communication Patterns

Examples of the engagement:

Builder Pricing Impact

The structural pack provided was not suitable for builder pricing. The following issues directly affected the ability to obtain accurate quotations.

Missing Structural Elements

Builders could not price steelwork due to missing beam sizes, lintel specifications, and connection details.

Incorrect or Incomplete Drawings

Contradictions between drawings and calculations created uncertainty for builders assessing the scope of work.

Foundation Strategy

Assumed foundation depths prevented builders from estimating excavation, concrete volume, and labour costs.

Roof Structure

Incomplete roof design prevented accurate pricing for timber, insulation, and labour.

Project Delays

Builders were unable to proceed without a complete structural pack, causing delays to the project timeline.

Building Control Impact

The structural pack did not meet the requirements for Building Control submission. The following issues prevented progression to approval.

Missing Calculations

Key structural calculations were absent, including load paths, lintel design, and roof structure analysis.

Incomplete Details

Building Control requires full details of beams, padstones, foundations, and structural connections. These were not provided.

Drainage Proximity

The pack did not address the proximity of foul drainage to new foundations, a requirement under Part H.

Fire Safety Compliance

Fire safety elements such as protected escape routes and FD30 doors were not fully integrated into the structural design.

Thermal and Ventilation Requirements

Part L and Part F requirements were not fully addressed in the structural documentation.

Email Evidence

Email transcripts will be added here. Personal data will be redacted. These emails document:

• Technical questions
• Delays
• Contradictions
• Refund request
• Complaint escalation

Screenshots

Screenshots of structural pack pages will be added here.

Legal Rights

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, services must be delivered with reasonable care and skill. Freedom Homes did not meet these requirements.

Impact on Solar Installation

The structural failures blocked the solar installation with GESS. The roof cannot be prepared until structural issues are resolved.

Public Review

Checkatrade Takedown & Trader Pressure – Documented Record

A factual long‑form review documenting the issues encountered with Freedom Homes Architects.

Why Freedom Homes are NOT on Trustpilot

This is factual and important.

✔ Trustpilot requires businesses to accept public reviews

Freedom Homes would have to:

• verify their identity
• accept public reviews
• accept negative reviews
• accept transparency

They have not done this.

✔ Companies avoid Trustpilot when they fear negative reviews

This is extremely common.

✔ Their 5‑star rating is self‑published

Not independent. Not verified. Not audited. Not public. Not trustworthy.

This is why this website is so powerful.

Outcome

This section will be updated once the refund or resolution is complete.