A facade engineer specialises in the design and assessment of building envelopes - the external skin that separates the interior from the elements. Since the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, facade engineers have taken on a critical new role in assessing the fire safety of existing cladding systems and completing EWS1 forms required by mortgage lenders. On new commercial and high-rise residential buildings they work alongside architects and structural engineers to design curtain wall systems, specify window and cladding performance, and coordinate air and water tightness testing.
What they do
- Curtain wall and cladding system design and specification
- Window and door specification for thermal, acoustic and structural performance
- Facade thermal bridging and condensation risk analysis
- Fire safety assessment of external wall systems
- EWS1 external wall surveys for mortgage lender requirements
- Air and water tightness testing coordination
- Facade project management on complex commercial schemes
When you need one
Facade engineers are primarily needed on medium and high-rise buildings, buildings requiring EWS1 assessment, and any scheme with a complex or performance-critical external envelope.
Typical costs (UK, 2025)
| Job type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| EWS1 external wall survey | £1,200 - £5,000+ |
| Facade specification (new build commercial) | £2,000 - £8,000+ |
| Cladding fire safety review | £1,500 - £5,000 |
| Window performance specification | £600 - £1,500 |
| Air/water tightness test coordination | £400 - £900 |
| Hourly rate | £95 - £165 / hr |
EWS1 assessment costs vary significantly depending on the building height, cladding complexity, and whether intrusive investigation (sampling) is required. Buildings with unknown or inaccessible cladding layers typically attract higher fees.
Qualifications to look for
Facade engineers typically hold chartered status via the Institution of Structural Engineers or Institution of Civil Engineers and have developed a specialism in building envelope design. For EWS1 work, the assessor must meet the RICS competency framework for external wall fire risk assessors.
Some facade engineers specialising in thermal performance, condensation and air infiltration hold CIBSE membership. Relevant where the facade specification involves complex thermal bridging analysis or environmental modelling.
Industry membership and training body for the facade sector. CWCT courses and membership confirm knowledge of cladding system performance standards, testing requirements and installation best practice. Check at cwct.co.uk.
How to find a reputable facade engineer
Related Calculators
New Build Cost Calculator Cladding Cost Calculator Roof Replacement Cost CalculatorFrequently asked questions
What is an EWS1 form?
An EWS1 (External Wall System) form is a fire safety assessment introduced after the Grenfell Tower fire. It is required by mortgage lenders for flats in multi-storey buildings where the external wall construction may include combustible materials. A qualified facade engineer or fire engineer inspects the building, assesses the external wall system, and completes the form. EWS1 forms are typically required for buildings over 11m with cladding that cannot be confirmed as non-combustible.
Do all tall buildings need a facade engineer?
Complex facades on buildings over about 4 storeys generally benefit from facade engineering input during design to ensure structural integrity, weathertightness and thermal performance. Buildings over 11m where the external wall system includes cladding - and where EWS1 forms are required by lenders - will need a qualified facade or fire engineer to carry out the assessment.
What is ACM cladding?
ACM stands for Aluminium Composite Material - a sandwich panel consisting of two thin aluminium sheets bonded to a core material. The Grenfell Tower was clad in ACM panels with a highly combustible polyethylene core. Under the Building Safety Act 2022 and associated regulations, ACM cladding with a combustible core on buildings over 11m must be replaced. A facade engineer can assess what type of ACM is present and advise on replacement options.