FAQS

In the situation where your lot has poor soil conditions, a deep foundation will most likely be your best economical solution. All our engineers are experienced with deep foundation designs and can provide a layout for the installation of either, concrete caissons, timber piles, or helical piers, whichever fits the contractor’s preference and makes the most economical sense.

• Decks / screen porches / roof additions
• Cracks in walls and ceilings
• Cracks In bricks and foundations
• Floors – sloping, humps, separations, dips and bounce
• Termite / Water / Rot / Fire damage assessment
• Removing walls and beam sizing
• Failing retaining walls
• Cracks in concrete slabs
• Damaged roof trusses

1 ½ to 2 ½ hours depending on the scope of work.

Most structural engineers can design most structures. Different types of projects require a certain knowledge base and this knowledge only comes from experience. Intelligent Design Engineering has qualified team members at every level resulting in a project that is designed correctly, built correctly, and leaves everyone feeling like the project was a success.

Engineers do not do the structural repair work, but they can refer you to someone who can.

• Many types of improvements and repairs make hiring a structural engineer a necessity, including:
  When significantly altering a home’s layout.
  When a project needs a structural engineer to inspect and approve construction.
  When purchasing or selling a home.

Yes, structural engineers hold licenses to be permitted to offer their services to the public. Once licensed, professional engineers are often assigned an identification number that must be stamped or embossed on any plans they approve. Many state license boards also require that a professional engineer take a minimum number of hours of continuing education each year.

A structural engineer will need to make a site visit to your location to assess the situation. The engineer will also need to know why the building inspector did not approve the work as it was completed. The structural engineer will provide an independent opinion and in many cases will either recommend changes to your project to follow code requirements or write an engineer’s letter stating that the work is acceptable as witnessed.

You should always consult a structural engineer before removing any walls inside your house. Walls can either be load bearing or non-load bearing. Your engineer will be able to recommend how to remove your walls as well as what size beam you will need to place in your new opening.

There is a section of your Home Inspector’s report which is usually titled “Structural Components.” That is the section of the report that your structural engineer is most interested in. Structural engineers inspect from the house’s foundation to the roofing system. Foundations include basements, crawlspaces and concrete slabs. Structural engineers inspect attics and roof rafters. However, they do not inspect exterior roofing components.

• Decks / screen porches / roof additions
• Soil inspections
• FHA and HUD inspections
• Shipping Container Homes
• Mobile and Manufactured homes
• Draw house plans, site plans or additions
• Sign off on already placed footings