When to hire a structural engineer for your home?

For instance, if you decide to add a whirlpool tub to your bathroom, a structural engineer should look at the existing house plans, if available, to ensure that reinforcements are not necessary to take on the new load. If reinforcements are required, the engineer can write a scope of work that your contractor can use.

What kind of structural engineer do you need for a home inspection?

For a home renovation or inspection you’ll need to hire a structural engineer with experience of residential work. Your engineer is likely to be a member of either the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) or the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

Are there any structural engineering firms that do residential work?

Many engineering firms do not offer residential services. At BE Structural, we understand the residential market and the homeowner. We value their business and our team is proud to service this sector. Most of the work that we perform for residential homeowners begins with an onsite engineering assessment.

When do you need a structural engineer’s stamp of approval?

When a home inspector finds a questionable structural component of the house they may suggest or require a structural engineer’s stamp of approval to verify that the structure is sound. This happens frequently with foundations. The inspector may notice some larger cracks in the foundation or perhaps it appears to be bowing out in an area.

Do you need to hire a structural engineer?

You’ll need to hire a licensed tradesperson for electrical and plumbing work. Similarly, if you plan to make any adjustments to load-bearing walls in your home, you’ll likely need to enlist a structural engineer. HOA approval is required because the work could affect the appearance of the building or neighborhood.

What do you need to know about Hoa approval?

Similarly, if you plan to make any adjustments to load-bearing walls in your home, you’ll likely need to enlist a structural engineer. HOA approval is required because the work could affect the appearance of the building or neighborhood. Before you start drawing up plans for your renovation, take a look at the CC&R.

Can a structural engineer be a third party?

Structural engineers are a third party unbiased entity you can trust. An engineer can’t afford to be wrong because there designs can literally make or break a structure. With that being said, licensed residential structural engineers hold a lot of authority in the building industry.

Why do you need a structural engineer for a detached house?

They can provide your plans with the structural details essential to the success of the project as well as a scope of work for any necessary foundation and other structural reinforcements. Detached additions can be anything from a guest house to a garage or workshop and are treated similarly to new construction builds.