How Much Are Steel RSJs?
DIY enthusiasts might be able to set up an RSJ however, the calculations necessary to determine what amount of help needed are complicated.
There are some crucial things to take into consideration…
It should be supported by solid concrete blocks to ensure that the load is evenly distributed.
Cost of installing an RSJ depends on the length of beam, the specifics of your location, if you require utilities to be relocated and where you reside located in the United Kingdom. A RSJ installation is typically priced approximately £1500 up to £2500.
This is inclusive of the cost of hiring an engineer for structural engineering and plastering, skip hire Building Control approval costs, building materials and labour for installation.
The reason you’ll be able to use this guide…
This article will explain the various supply costs associated with an RSJ and how much it will cost to set up as well as other information you should be aware of when undergoing one RSJ installation.
So, if you’re planning to get an RSJ installed at home This article will provide you with the details you require.
Steel Beam Prices
| Job | RSJ Length | Timescale | Material Cost | Labour Prices |
| External Single Doorway | 1 Metre | 1-1.5 Days | £200-£300 | £400-£450 |
| External Window Opening | 2 Metres | 1.5-2 Days | £350 | £600 |
| Bifold doors | 3 Metres | 2 Days | £400 | £650-£700 |
| House Extension | 4 Metres | 2-3 Days | £500 | £800 |
| Loft Conversion | 5 Metres | 3 Days | £700 | £850-£950 |
What is an RSJ?
Non-load bearing and load bearing walls are built when a house is built. The distinction is that load-bearing walls support the whole building’s structural weight, while walls that are not load-bearing serve to create a separation between rooms.
If you’re planning to build an open-plan living space by taking out or modifying a wall bearing load it is necessary to install a steel RSJ beam to support the load, or else your home could fall due to the fact that it’s not equipped with the proper support.
Installing correctly an RSJ requires meticulous calculations, time and expertise. A skilled builder or structural engineer should examine the site and conduct steel beam calculations to figure out the type of wall they’ll be dealing with as well as the length of beam that they’ll require as well as the weight that the beam can handle.
The correct installation of the correct RSJ requires precise calculations, patience, and expertise. An experienced structural engineer must examine the site and conduct steel beam calculations to figure out what kind of wall that they’ll need to construct as well as the length of the beam that they’ll require and how much weight the beam will support.
This affects the cost you pay for an RSJ installed at home.
Breakdown of The Costs
Steel supports, like universal beams, are frequently employed in construction. They’re strong, easy to construct and affordable to set up. They’re available in various standard lengths that can be used for almost every need.
But, length isn’t all the thing to take into consideration. When the length grows,
RSJ calculations are also utilized by mechanical engineers to expand the dimensions of the cross-sectional profiles. That means that as the RSJ gets in length, it will not be bent more than limits of safety allow.
This means that the cost of steel “I Beam” increases when its length and profile increase. Additionally, the higher the amount of steel that is used for the production of an universal beam, the heavier it gets.
If it’s a heavy object, it’ll be harder to lift, and may require the use of lifting machines. This means that labour costs will increase, as does the price associated with an RSJ installation also increases.
The price of installing an RSJ is contingent on the size of the beam, the size of your location, the need for utilities to be relocated and the location you reside in within the United Kingdom. A RSJ installation is typically priced between £1500 to £2500.
This covers the cost of hiring an engineer to design the structure as well as skip hire, plastering Building Control approval fees, construction materials and labour for installation.
We’ll break down the costs of installation in the following table using typical scenarios to show the prices of steel beams as well as the labour cost. You could also use the data for a RSJ costs calculator in order to evaluate your results against your own.
A skilled builder’s experience and knowledge are essential to install a rolling steel Joist. You could be provided with estimates for the complete project, however the typical tradesperson will charge between £150 to £200 per day.
The job will require at least two people and a labourer who adds daily between £80 and £100 to the total cost.
To hire structural engineers, you can expect to pay between £50 and £90 for an hour. The more expensive price is more likely to be applicable to London as well as the Southeast. So, depending on where you reside could impact the cost of installing an RSJ.
What are the Supply Costs of an RSJ?
If you’re only curious about the cost of an RSJ You might want to find out what steel beam RSJ costs per millimetre. RSJ costs between £50 to £100 per metre. However it is dependent on the model you’re searching for which will impact the cost.
You can purchase an RSJ as a complete set however it is not recommended to install it yourself. Only a professional can provide the correct calculations for the amount of weight that can be distributed throughout your RSJ. The calculations required to establish an RSJ are intricate and an expert is recommended for the installation of an RSJ.
The table below lists costs for supply-only items you might require to complete your RSJ project.
| Type of Supply | Cost Per Metre |
| Universal Beams | £50-£120 |
| Universal Columns | £50-£120 |
| Double Beams | £50-£100 |
| Parallel Flange Channel | £30-£100 |
| T-Beam | £8-£20 |
| Lintels | £16-£22 |
| Special Lintels | £40-£60 |
What are the Additional Costs of Installing an RSJ?
There are many other factors to consider in the installation of an RSJ since it is known to be a difficult job.
Thus, based on how the work goes depending on the situation the need for additional tradespeople is required to finish the task. Here are the additional expenses to be prepared for when you install an RSJ.
| Additional Job | Cost |
| Wall Demolition | £1200-£1750 |
| Skip Hire | £200-£250 per week |
| Re-Decorating | £150-£160 Per day |
| Re-Plastering | £390-£510 |
Wall Demolition
If you’re not working on the construction of a new home or adding an expansion, you’ll probably have to take down a wall in the process of building an RSJ. The walls between the dining area, kitchen or living space, as well as exterior walls for conservatories are typically taken down.
The price of removing the wall varies between £1,250 and £1,750 including the cost of putting up appropriate supports starting at £800 up to £950.
Before taking down a wall have it examined by an engineer or builder to check for any plumbing or electrical problems and if walls are load bearing. Builders and engineers typically charge about £200 per visit.
The price of taking down a load-bearing structure is dependent on the size of the job and the calibre from the professional you choose to hire. A single doorway size space (about 1 m) and an area with a double doorway (approximately 2m) as well as a larger open room (approximately 4m) will cost about 1,750 dollars.
Skip Hire
When you install an RSJ there are waste materials likely to gather and accumulate, causing chaos. A handful of bags of garbage to the dump might be sufficient for small tasks, but it’s the wrong choice as larger-scale operations are taking place. It is possible to hire a skip for certain circumstances.
What is the cost of the cost of hiring a skip?
The cost of hiring a skip can vary due to a range of variables. The amount of a skip hire differs based on what size the skip. Thus, the larger the skip and the bigger it is, the more costly it is to hire. Here is the table illustrating the cost of skip hire.
| Size of the Skip | Cost |
| Mini 2-3 Yard Skip | £60- £105 |
| Mini 4-5 Yard Skip | £120- £190 |
| Builder 6-8 Yard Skip | £210- £305 |
The other aspect that can affect the cost of hire of a skip is where you reside or the area of the work.
If you are planning to skip the North for instance it will differ significantly from the prices in London because the working costs are different in these areas therefore the cost of tradesmen and products will be more expensive If you are located in the same area as London.
| Size of Skip | North | South | London |
| 2 Yard Skip | £165 £245 | £185- £250 | £205- £225 |
| 4 Yard Skip | £165- £245 | £250- £305 | £190- £275 |
| 6 Yard Skip | £165- £245 | £295- £345 | £275- £365 |
| 8 Yard Skip | £280 £310 | £340- £385 | £290- £425 |
Re-Decorating
If you’re considering doing an interior remodel it is important to take into consideration the various costs. Interior remodelling projects usually cost between £100 to £150 per square meter. However the cost varies based on the type and size of the work.
Once you’ve put in an RSJ You’ll have to add it at the cost of decorating and painting. It could mean getting your walls painted. This will cost you anywhere between £180 to £500 dependent on the size of your space.
If you opt for wallpaper it is possible to spend around £180 to cover a smaller area and as high as £600 for a larger space.
Re-Plastering
When installing an RSJ wall, the walls could get damaged, and that you will need to hire a plasterer to repaint the walls that require replastering.
Here is a price breakdown of typical plastering tasks. We will consider the costs of re-plastering old plaster up to the thickness of 3mm and the amount of time required to finish the task, since certain plasterers charge per day, which can impact the price.
| Size | Price | Timescale |
| Re-Plaster Small Room | £390- £510 | 1 Day |
| Re-Plaster Medium Room | £430- £560 | 1-2 Days |
| Re-Plaster Large Room | £550- £700 | 2-3 Days |
Tradesmen Costs for Installing an RSJ
When you are obtaining estimates for RSJ installation, bear in your mind that structural engineers’ professional calculations are a crucial part of the procedure.
It is also necessary to hire a professional builder who can complete the job according to the specifications of the engineer. In the past, regardless of how meticulous they are with their construction, this kind of work was bound to result in a huge mess.
The mess will require not only a thorough cleaning, as well as re-plastering and redecorating All of which adds to the cost.
The majority of the work could be completed by a skilled local builder, however, based on the location of the RSJ is situated, you might need a structural engineer and electrician and plumber.
A lot of people create their own decorating however some may require the assistance of a decorator and painter.
The cost of labor to set up the RSJ is dependent on the magnitude of the project. For a single doorway, labour costs for 1m RSJ costs between £400 £450. An RSJ double door costs between £550- £600, and a huge open plan 4m RSJ will cost between £700 and £800.
| Size | Labour Cost |
| 1 Metre Single Doorway | £400- £500 |
| 2 Metre Double Doorway | £550- £600 |
| 4 Metre | £700- £S800 |
How Long Does It Take to Install an RSJ?
The length of time required to install an RSJ will vary based on the dimensions and the weight it is. RSJ is. It can also take a lot of time since everything must be done right prior to installation because it’s an extremely crucial job.
Because of this, we will go over the procedure and the timelines of putting in an RSJ.
If a wall has to be removed prior to the installation of an RSJ It is best done by a professional. It is not something that can be done by hand. The process of removal is easy when done with care and steadily; however, safety must always be the first priority, and preparation is essential to avoid injury or damage.
A structural engineer must be consulted personally by the engineer, who will come to the site of work to assess the structure and offer relevant calculations and recommendations. This is a crucial step and you should schedule a time to complete it and then review the data provided.
A load-bearing wall could be removed in one day by a group consisting of two or three people in accordance with how big the building is. The removal process must be carried out in a safe and sensible manner by collecting rubble when it has been formed from the wall being destroyed.
This helps reduce the amount of waste to manage and makes the workplace more secure and evident.
If there are enough people available to do it securely and safely, putting up the RSJ beam will take about one or two hours. Padstones are put into the holes in which the RSJ will be placed to support it and elevate it up to the right level to support the ceiling the joists the weight.
The steel RSJ must be guided to its place by a team consisting of two to four people. It’s crucial to move the beam as close to its final position as you can before putting in the prop supports made of steel below the ceiling as they can block access to the site of installation once they’re erected.
This issue may be an expensive error, not just in terms of labour costs however also time. It can help finish the job efficiently, in a practical and safe way when everyone in the group understands the procedure to set up the RSJ and discusses things prior to lifting any object.
There must be either an electrician or plumber to take down and secure the pipes and wires which are being taken off the wall.
If the existence of any live service was not previously detected and there was no arrangement for the necessary tradesperson to be present to handle it, this could cause delays in the installation. Then you may have to be patient for the tradesperson to be available.
So, taking down the wall and putting up the RSJ will take between one and two days, based on the dimensions of the wall. Plan for four to eight hours for the plastering process depending on how large the space which requires plastering, and one day for painting or decorating, based on what size the space that requires painting or decorating.
This means that after waiting for the engineers and other tradespeople installing an RSJ and completing the work could take as long as an entire week.
| Job | Timescale |
| Preparing | 1 Day |
| Installing RSJ | 1-2 Hours |
| Removing a Wall | 1-2 Days |
| Plastering | 4-8 Hours |
| Re-Decorating | Half a Day |
Types of RSJ
To be used in construction of steel, RSJs come in a range of sizes and shapes. Different steel members are produced in factories according to the sizes, shapes and the quality of these sectional steel rolled. RSJs are produced with no joints inside Continuous casting moulds. The numerous varieties of RSJ are shown below.
I-Beam Cost
An I-Beam, also referred to as an H-beam or the universal beam is made up of two flanges that are horizontal and one vertical web. The web is able to withstand shear stress, while the flanges in the horizontal can withstand most of the beam’s bend action.
In the web’s plane I-shapes are extremely efficient at transporting shear and bend loads. I-beams are available in a range of sizes and are commonly used in the construction industry. They are priced between £35 and £115 per millimetre.
PROS
- It is available in a range of sizes.
- Great for corners.
CONS
- Houses are not used most times.
- Expensive in big bulks.
Rolled Steel Channel Cost
The cross-sectional area of the structural C channels, referred to in the form of C beams, are C-shaped. Both the top and bottom sides in channels are joined by a web. C-shaped beams are an economical alternative for structures that have small or medium spans.
The beams were originally intended for bridges, but channel beams are currently employed in marine piers as well as different construction tasks. This beam of steel costs between £10 and £45 per meter.
PROS
- Cheaper option.
- Popular steel beam.
CONS
- This is only for smaller or medium-sized homes.
American Standard Beam Cost
It is the American typical beam also called an S-beam is made up of a rolled segment with two flanges parallel to each other connected by webs. S-shaped beams are relatively compact Flanges.
The designation of the beam determines the length and weight of the unit. S12x50 for instance, is a 12-inch-deep beam that weighs fifty pounds per square foot. It’s priced around £40- £300.
PROS
- Many sizes.
CONS
- Tradespeople need to be more skilled because of their importance.
- The majority of them are small.
Angled L-Shape Cost
Angle beams come with two legs which meet at 90 degrees, making an L shape. Angle beams are offered with different or equal leg diameters. For instance, in an L-beam that has uneven legs one leg might comprise 2x2x0.5 while the second 6x3x0.5.
Due to their low foundation, beams with L’s are often used in flooring systems. This kind of beam can be purchased for approximately £70- £150.
PROS
- Legs are available in a variety of dimensions to fit the structure more effectively.
CONS
- They are only used for floors, which is why they’re more expensive.
Bearing Pile H-Shape Cost
When a building can’t be constructed on a low foundation, builders make use of bearing piles to build deep foundation systems. In order to properly move weights from the pile until they reach the top they are designed as H-shaped.
The most effective bearing piles can be found in soils deep with an extremely high resistance at the top. The individual piles can handle loads of more than 1,000 tonnes. The price of the steel beam ranges from £30 to £95 per millimetre.
PROS
- Great as the ultimate solution.
CONS
- The job is very heavy, and will require additional tradesmen to finish the task.
Pipe Beam Cost
Structural steel pipes offer the strength and stability required in a wide range of construction applications. Pipes are hollow, circular tubes available in a range of sizes.
Engineers typically employ steel pipes to meet the requirements of oil, water, as well as gas-related projects. Costs vary between £35 and £115 per meter.
PROS
- Strong.
- Available in different sizes.
- Excellent for other tradespeople.
CONS
- Costlier to use because of its materials.
T-Beam Cost
A load-bearing tee often referred to by the name of a T beam is a T-shaped section. The flange lies at the top of this section and the vertical web below. Tee beams are able to withstand massive loads, however they do not have the bottom flange on the “I” beam, making them unsuitable for certain applications.
A T-beam will cost you about £10– £30 per millimetre
PROS
- This is the most well-known RSJ beam.
- Affordable steel beam.
CONS
- It does not have a flange at the bottom.
Custom Shapes
Engineers today aren’t limited to the most common shapes. Custom metal fabrication permits the development of a vast variety of distinctive forms of structural steel for every project.
Metal fabricators can mould steel into different shapes to suit individual needs with cutting-edge equipment and processes such as water jets, lasers and cutting plasma.
If you can think of it, a skilled metal fabricator could achieve it. Prices vary based on the size and shape and also the kind of RSJ beam you are searching for.
PROS
- It’s perfect in terms of its dimensions.
CONS
- It could be more expensive.
- Time-consuming.
Benefits of RSJ Installation
The advantages from RSJ (rolled steel joint) beams are not fading away. These beams have been utilized for a number of purposes over the decades due to their tremendous strength and support as well as their quality.
They are commonly used in commercial and industrial construction, and are increasing in popularity for home-based projects such as new floors, patios and decks. Since the material can be easily bent and handled it’s a versatile choice.
Eco-Friendly
Steel is widely known for its eco-friendly qualities. Steel is used in many construction projects due to the fact that the building sector has improved its environmental reputation in recent years.
The amount of instances RSJ beams could be recycled is limitless, which means less waste will be sent to landfills.
Steel is also thought of as an environmentally friendly option since it doesn’t emit greenhouse gases. When compared to alternatives such as wood or concrete, RSJ steel beams are very cost-effective.
Reliable
Steel has the strongest strength-to-weight ratio out of all building materials, and is able to withstand massive amounts of strain and weight. It is able to withstand almost anything the weather throws at it, and that is why it is often utilized in regions in which the weather is especially difficult.
Create, shape, bend or bend RSJ beams to a range of lengths and dimensions. They’re also fire-resistant, and don’t require any chemical treatments. Steel that’s been galvanised is not likely to be rusty. It is able to prevent structures from falling in earthquakes or hurricanes.
Flexibility
The steel beams, as stated, are custom-designed according to your requirements. Due to the material’s versatility it is possible to design. Steel can be cut and measured to any size and shape.
The best part is that moulding does not alter the quality of the material. Additionally, because of its flexibility, it’s more secure to use as it can be reused easily.
Gives a Sleek Finish
Although the appearance of knotty, unfinished wood might be appealing in certain designs that are rustic, steel is a sleek alternative. It is different from other materials like wood, and is constructed therefore it will be smooth and free from the imperfections and knots that are characteristic of wood.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove an RSJ?
If you’re building a new support wall or tearing down the wall that is above the beam made of steel it is possible to get rid of an RSJ. Another reason for removing one RSJ can be replacing it with a different kind of support beam or substituting it with another RSJ.
Removal of the RSJ is a challenging job that must be performed with care and correctly. If you’re unsure of the requirements for removal of an RSJ You should speak with an engineer in structural engineering for guidance on the most effective method of taking off the joists that roll.
If you’re taking off a rolled steel joist you’ll have to consider whether you should replace it with another.
If you have a load-bearing fixture over the area where the RSJ was installed, you’ll have for it to be replaced with a different fixture like an exterior wall or a support beam. To remove your RSJ the builder will cost between £20 to £35 per hour.
A variety of additional charges could be charged while you are removing an RSJ. It is possible to think about the removal of waste. A one-week rental of a skip will cost between £200– £250, as you’ll require this because it is messy work. You will then need to re-plaster and re-decorate the area, which was mentioned earlier.
FAQs
Q: What does RSJ stand for?
A: RSJ stands for rolled steel joist.
Q: How much wall does an RSJ need to sit on?
A: To build a rolled steel joist at either end of a solid masonry wall in good condition, you’ll need at least 150mm of cast concrete for it to sit securely on the wall.
Q: How long does an RSJ last?
A: The protective coating used in the steel storage yard is intended to safeguard the steel used in construction and is expected to last at least 100 years, so it is defiantly worth having one.
Q: Do you need planning permission to install an RSJ?
A: No, because it is an internal change to a domestic property, you usually don’t, but we recommend checking with your local planning authority.
If your home is a listed building, any work you do will require listed building consent. For more information, go to the planning section of your municipality’s website. If you are working on a building, then planning permission will be required for safety reasons.
Q: What is RSJ used for?
A: To ensure structural integrity, RSJs are rolled from a single piece of structural steel (S275JR grade) and used to support walls and floors when making an opening in a load-bearing wall or when building an extension.
