How to Hire a Structural Engineer: Complete Guide
Follow this structure to hire someone to design your structure
Structural engineers can be hired for a handful of things. Of course, there’s the obvious designing of buildings, but they can also assist in building demolition and inspections. When hiring a structural engineer, it’s important to review their qualifications, years of experience,and work history, especially in relation to the specific project at hand.
If you’re nervous about hiring the right structural engineer for your project, or just want to know that you checked every box before hiring someone, read this guide for the best approach on how to hire a structural engineer.
How To Find a Structural Engineer
There are a few different ways you can vet a structural engineer before you embark on the hiring process. For instance, you can ask family, friends, and neighbors so you can get a trusted review from your network. You can talk with local contractors, engineers, or architects–who may have their own in-house structural engineer. Or, you can search online for a structural engineer near you, and compare quotes for highly-rated, local structural engineers.
Before Hiring a Structural Engineer
It’s important to do your due diligence before you hire any professional service. When it comes to a structural engineer, they’re responsible for an important job–your home’s safety–so we recommend you follow these steps before you make a decision.
Plan Your Structural Engineering Project for Accurate Quotes
Knowing the scope of your project is key to managing expectations for the structural engineer you ultimately hire. It also helps you determine if this is the pro you should hire, since there is often overlap between structural engineers and architects. Before you reach out to a structural engineer, you want to have these factors of your project organized:
Whether you need a home inspection by a structural engineer
Type of project (i.e., new construction, renovation, engineering designs)
Square footage of your project
Your desired project timeline
Check Qualifications and References
Check out past projects that the structural engineer has completed, read their reviews, and ask for references, along with proof of their licenses, certifications and insurance, so you know they’re reputable.
Questions to Ask Your Structural Engineer
What is your experience with this type of project?
Are you insured?
Are you familiar with the relevant building codes for this type of project?
Do you have a license?
What are your fees?
Do you have any concerns with my proposed timeline?
Tips for Hiring Your Structural Engineer
Once you make a final decision on which structural engineer you’d like to work with, here are a few tips to help you make sure all of your ducks are in a row before the work begins.
Interview Your Structural Engineer
Have either a face-to-face or phone consultation to help you get a better sense of what they do–and give you a chance to get to know one another. You may want to meet with multiple structural engineers to see who you click with, and who has the skills to complete your project.
Ask For a Background Check
You want the person you work with to have the proper credentials and licensing. Typically, a structural engineer must have an undergraduate degree in a related field, plus a passing grade on an engineering exam, to be considered eligible for their official license. Specific requirements may vary by state.
Get a Contract and Arrange Payments With Your Structural Engineer
The overall cost for hiring a structural engineer will vary depending on the specific person or firm you hire. Before you sign any agreement or contract, make sure you agree on the following:
Down payment amount
Payment structure (i.e., by hour, square foot, or project)
Final payment date
Keep Records of Your Project
To ensure your project is moving in the agreed-upon direction, it’s important to keep track of your project’s progress. Make sure you can easily access any signed agreements or contracts.
If you’re paying your structural engineer by the hour, be sure to keep track of the hours. If payment is by square foot, then you need to keep track of the physical amount of work that’s been done—and so on. If you and your structural engineer have determined a project timeline, you should keep track of the schedule to ensure it’s being followed.
After Your Structural Engineer Has Finished
So, now what?
Once your structural engineer has finished the project, complete the final payment per their billing requirements and keep all files in a safe place for future reference.
If you’re happy with the work they did you might consider leaving an online review or being a reference for them. Additionally, you might want to ask them if any follow up inspections or assessments are needed, and book those accordingly.