The 6 Crucial Parts of a Structural Engineer Inspection

Your home is one of your most significant investments, and you want to ensure it’s strong enough to withstand the test of time. For this reason, it’s always crucial to call a professional to inspect it regularly. 

While you may not need to call a structural engineer often, they can be necessary if you want to renovate or address structural issues. Architects and contractors may need this professional to approve their work; their report could be the difference in getting a permit or a sale. 

However, it’s helpful to understand what they’ll do before the professional arrives so you can get the most out of this part of your home improvement project. This article will answer if you need these professionals and discuss the six crucial aspects of their inspection. 

Should I Get a Structural Engineer?

Letting professionals inspect your property’s structural integrity is a worthwhile investment for any homeowner. It can help make your property to become more desirable for potential buyers. They also grant you peace of mind knowing that you’ve identified and repaired existing issues. 

What Are the Parts of a Structural Engineer Inspection?

After answering why you need these professionals to inspect your property, this section will enumerate the six crucial parts you can find in this inspection. 

1. Discussion of Scope of Inspection

You should remember that a structural engineer’s inspection differs for every project. Before the engineer comes to the site, you and they should agree on their inspection’s extent. This agreement will determine what the engineer looks for and evaluates during their visit.

For instance, if you notice a crack in your foundation, you can call them to help determine if the damage is cosmetic or will affect your structural integrity. Remember, they will only inspect the rest of your property if it directly affects their studied area. You should also be precise about what needs examination to avoid additional costs. 

2. Visual Inspection

Once you’ve called your structural engineer to your property, they’ll begin by visually inspecting your home’s interior and exterior, including any hard-to-reach areas. They’ll survey your property to assess the design, materials, load-bearing capacity, and environmental factors. 

Remember, while a home inspector can identify potential issues within your property, these engineers need to produce detailed reports to satisfy legal requirements. 

3. Visual Inspection Report 

After the experts gather the data, they’ll prepare a visual inspection report with three parts: Observation, Conclusion, and Recommendations. 

Structural engineers will observe structural elements and environmental conditions and create conclusions based on the observations. They’ll also offer recommendations to restore safety and avoid further deterioration, such as conducting further investigations, a plan to monitor the issue, or providing a solution to address the problem. 

4. Full Structural Investigation

Sometimes, your structural engineer may need to do a further investigation beyond the visual aspect so they can give you more accurate advice. They may need to review structural plans and test materials and carry out load tests to create a final report. 

5. Full Structural Investigation Report

Like the full structural investigation, this report will provide observations, conclusions, and recommendations to help you act accordingly to ensure the structure’s safety. Contractors can also use the information to make the necessary repairs. 

6. Inspection Cost

Like most homeowners, you may wonder how much it will cost to let a structural engineer inspect your property. They’ll usually charge a flat fee ranging from $500 to $700 for standard inspections. On the other hand, they may charge more if you ask them to address more complex issues or draw up plans. 

Conclusion

Asking a structural engineer to inspect your house is a worthwhile investment for homeowners who want to make their property more attractive to potential buyers. 

If you need a structural engineer in Tulsa, work with AEI Inspections! We have over 30 years of knowledge and experience to help you take a proactive approach to fixing your home. Contact us now to enjoy a safer property!