Project scope

Residential extensions are increasingly popular across Chigwell and surrounding areas such as Buckhurst Hill, Loughton, Woodford Green, and Epping. Homeowners in these communities are transforming their living spaces to suit modern lifestyles—whether by adding open-plan kitchens, home offices, or expanding family areas. Structural steel plays a key role in making these upgrades possible, offering strength, flexibility, and long-term reliability.

As a leading steel supplier for Chigwell and the wider Essex region, MAH Steel specialises in structural steel solutions for residential projects. Our team handles everything from initial consultation to cutting, fabrication, and delivery. With advanced CNC and CAD technology, certified coded welders, and a meticulous in-house QA process, we make sure every piece of steel is fabricated to the highest standard. Whether it’s a small home extension or a full-scale loft conversion, we provide reliable, precision-engineered steel—on time and ready to install.

Steel for a residential rear extension in Chigwell

For this particular project, a Chigwell homeowner contacted us with plans for a small rear extension. They needed a set of structural steel beams to support new elements of the build. After discussing the requirements over the phone, our experienced sales team quickly drafted a sketch. Once approved by the client, this formed the basis for the fabrication drawings.

We began by selecting the appropriate steel sections from our extensive in-house stock. After verifying the material specs, we transported the beams to our cutting area. There, our team cross-referenced the cutting list, measured twice, and used high-precision saws to cut the beams to exact lengths. Accuracy at this stage is critical to ensure smooth fabrication and hassle-free installation later on.

Next, we moved the cut beams to our fabrication workshop. Before beginning any work, our fabrication team re-checked the lengths against the drawings to confirm everything matched perfectly. Once verified, our welders began the fabrication process, adhering strictly to the engineer’s specifications and approved plans.

Throughout this stage, our in-house QA team remained closely involved. They inspected every step—from alignment to weld quality—to ensure the build was progressing exactly as intended.

Once the fabrication was complete, we fully welded each steel element according to the structural specs. Our team then drilled all holes precisely where needed for bolts, plates, and steel-to-steel connections. After this, the QA team stepped in again to verify everything—checking alignment, spacing, and overall compliance with the drawings.

With fabrication and drilling complete, we prepared the steels for painting. For this project, we applied a zinc phosphate primer to provide long-lasting protection against corrosion. Our painters carefully applied the coating to the specified micron thickness, then hung the beams in our yard to cure properly.

Once dry, we performed one final QA inspection. Our team ensured all fabrication elements were correct and complete. At this point, we added bolts, fixings, washers, and packing plates—everything the client needed for successful installation.

Steel delivery in Essex

Early the next morning, we loaded the beams onto our 30-metre Hiab lorry. Our driver ran a full safety check before heading out at 5am to the site in Chigwell. Once there, he used the Hiab crane to lift the beams directly over the back of the house—placing them exactly where the client needed, with zero disruption to the build.

From the very first call to final delivery, MAH Steel handled the entire process with precision, professionalism, and attention to detail. Thanks to our streamlined workflow, experienced team, and top-tier equipment, we helped keep the project on schedule—and delivered another flawless steel solution to a happy Chigwell homeowner.