A structural engineer can identify any problems with an aging or damaged foundation
An inspection from a structural engineer can identify problems with your foundation.
Foundation inspections from a structural engineer can cost around $400 to $700.
There are multiple reasons to have your foundation inspected, including selling or purchasing a home.
A structural engineer will provide a report with findings from the inspection and details of any problems that need to be addressed.
Do you have a saggy roof, sloping floor, or crack on your wall? These could be signs of foundation failure. If these issues were found during a home inspection, you’d most likely be referred to a structural engineer. A structural engineer has the knowledge to look into the problem, conduct specialty inspections, and can also provide suggestions for repairs.
Structural engineers are responsible for designing and evaluating the structural integrity of buildings and other structures. These engineers specialize in analyzing the ability of a structure to withstand pressure, whether from gravity or other factors like wind or earthquakes. For homeowners, a local structural engineer can determine the state of your foundation and identify any issues that may require attention.
A foundation inspection is typically a visual inspection performed by a structural engineer to assess the integrity of your home’s foundation.
This inspection will provide useful information about the foundation to know if the building is safe and usable through a written report of the engineer's findings and the scope of work for any needed repairs.
When you meet with a structural engineer, you’ll have a discussion to identify anything you, as the homeowner, have noticed or any specific concerns you may have.
The structural engineer will then perform the inspection, looking for signs of damage, such as cracks and/or moisture. During the inspection, the engineer will also be able to identify any signs that the house is settling, sagging, or is no longer level. They may even be able to let you know if your home had previous foundation repair.
Although a structural engineer will provide their findings verbally, they will also provide a written report.
The structural foundation report is a stamped engineer report that includes photos, diagnosis, designs, suggestions, and the scope of any needed repairs. This report will be sufficient to satisfy the mortgage lender, building department, insurance company, buyers, and sellers.
The report should include:
The areas of your home that were inspected
The root cause of any structural damage that was found
In-depth recommendations for how to fix any problems, and how to maintain the foundation in the future
After the inspection is complete and the structural engineer has reported their findings, they will suggest solutions to any issues that were identified during the inspection. They may let you know which foundation cracks to be concerned about or steps to take to shore up your foundation’s structural integrity.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or have signs of foundation issues, getting an inspection is crucial. Your home is your haven and should be a place where you and your family feel safe and secure.
You may think a general home inspector is qualified to inspect your home. But, in some cases, you must get a comprehensive report from a professional engineer.
Here are some scenarios where you need to hire structural engineers to ensure the foundation of your home is solid.
If you wish to sell your home fast, you may want to make sure it’s free of any structural issues that will get flagged during the pre-sale inspection. This will allow you to figure out if there are any repairs you’ll need to fix to get your home ready to sell.
Potential homebuyers may hire a structural engineer to ensure the quality of the structure. This could save them from buying a home with any major issues, and could also help them negotiate the price for the home they want to buy.
In many cases, it can be a mortgage lender requirement to make sure it’s a sound investment.
When pulling building permits or remodeling your home, sometimes the general inspector will highlight issues in your foundation. It’s important to verify with a structural engineer to ensure your foundation is safe and can endure any potential plans or extensions.
Depending on the weather where you live—downpours and freeze-thaw cycles may affect your foundation and cause water infiltration and cracking. Step cracking, cracks that are a quarter of an inch or larger in the foundation, bowing foundation walls, or movement of any kind, are signs of a critical issue.
If your foundation has shifted and affected the rest of the structure by showing signs of foundation failure (i.e., gaps in the floors, doors are stuck, diagonal cracks in the walls), this means the house is settling, or the soil is shifting due to a storm or earthquake damage.
You might want to hire a structural engineer to analyze the condition and offer the necessary solutions.
You are probably wondering how much a structural engineer foundation inspection would cost you. Most structural engineers charge by the hour. Those rates can vary from about $200 to $350 per hour.
Pricing for structural engineering inspections may also depend on the size and complexity of the project. But a typical home inspection will take about two to three hours to complete, which may cost you around $400 to $700.
In some cases, it can be hard to quote the job until the engineer physically inspects your situation onsite, so be sure to communicate with the structural engineer before hiring them.
Structural engineers specialize in all aspects of a building’s structural integrity, including the foundation. Foundation engineering is a critical part of structural engineering, so structural engineers are experts in foundation design. Many foundation repair companies either have a structural engineer on staff or one they work closely with, so be sure you look for that when deciding who to hire for foundation repair.
The National Association of Home Builders requires repair of any foundation crack of more than one quarter of an inch, although local regulations may vary. In general, any visible crack that is growing in size, allowing water through, or that you have just noticed, is a good reason to call a structural engineer. Cracks can be a sign of a sinking foundation, so an inspection is a good idea for your peace of mind.
Any issue that affects the structural integrity or soundness of a home is considered a structural issue. In addition to foundation cracks, other signs of structural issues include roof leaks, bowing walls, sloping floors, gaps around windows and doors, and more.
