homeowners | Structural Engineer

In the dynamic world of real estate, structural concerns often emerge after appraisals and inspections. Homeowners and real estate agents grapple with issues ranging from settlement concerns, sagging and improperly supported main load bearing beams, to compromised foundations. This blog discusses the critical role of structural engineering consulting in resolving these issues and emphasizes the potential pitfalls of opting for contractors over a structural engineer firm.

It highlights the importance of involving a structural engineering company to ensure the integrity of a property.

1. Early Intervention Saves Costs:

• Contacting a professional engineer early in the process can save homeowners, sellers, or buyers time and more importantly, significant costs. Engineering solutions ensure compliance with minimum code standards, satisfying both appraisals and mortgage requirements. While some concerns could be addressed in a structural inspection and maybe a letter, others may require structural repairs or intervention. Most municipalities require engineered stamped drawings for structural reinforcements.

2. Contractor vs. Structural Engineer Dilemma:

• While contractors play a crucial role, some contracting companies might mistakenly mislabel structural work as mere reinforcement, or just additional support when, in reality, it should have been a work that requires an engineering review, structural calculations, and drawings, followed by a contractor to pull the permit and perform the work. This misclassification becomes apparent during reevaluation that often is required by appraisers and loan officers, leading to additional costs and potential complications.

3. The Aftermath of Misjudgment:

• Clients opting for contractors often face post-installation appraisals that demand structural engineer approval. This step becomes problematic when the initial work fails to meet code standards, necessitating costly corrections. It also gets expensive as the registered professional engineer or licensed professional will need to verify whether the work completed meets the load requirements or if it needs adjustment and modifications.

4. The Engineering work:

• Structural engineering involves load calculations, correct beam spans, proper footing size, and appropriate load path distribution. Failure to adhere to these principles can result in non compliance work.

Conclusion:

In navigating the complexities of real estate transactions, our advice to real estate agents, sellers, and buyers in Pennsylvania is clear: involve a structural engineer early on. By doing so, you can mitigate potential problems, save time, and reduce costs. Appraisals should also prioritize evaluations by a Pennsylvania structural engineer before greenlighting any structural work. This proactive approach ensures that any structural modification done is sound and meets the minimum requirements set by the structural engineering standards for Pennsylvania.

Written by Firas Abdelahad, P.E.

Firas Abdelahad has been a practicing structural engineer since 2005, collaborating with a diverse range of professionals, including consultants, architects, investors, homeowners, contractors, and subcontractors. Together, they tackle the various challenges that can arise during the design and construction phases of projects.

Firas has reviewed, evaluated, and assessed thousands of properties across the state of Pennsylvania, spanning from State College to Erie and throughout Western PA.

The information and statements in this document are for information purposes only and do not comprise the professional advice of the author or create a professional relationship between reader and author.

Why Home Buyers/Sellers/Realtors should Call us:

We aim to accommodate your schedule promptly, often within 24 hours or one day. I personally make an effort to answer all calls, or if missed, return them promptly. Our goal is to thoroughly understand your needs and guide you to the next steps, whether that involves scheduling an on-site evaluation or providing recommendations for your situation.

We pride ourselves on being highly responsive to your inquiries, whether through phone calls, text messages, or emails.

When you choose us, a licensed and registered professional engineer will visit your property. During this visit, we will carefully assess and discuss your concerns. If desired, we can provide recommendations both verbally and in a formal report format. Our approach involves offering concise, professional opinions based on visual evidence, supported by code references where applicable, and informed engineering judgments. Our aim is to empower you with the information needed to make well-informed decisions.

We recognize that buying or selling a property can be a stressful process. Therefore, we are more than happy to address all your concerns during our visit to the property. We take pride in educating our customers about how their structure is designed to transfer loads from the roof down to the foundation. Additionally, when feasible, we point out areas where minor improvements or maintenance can potentially save you from future expenses, drawing from our wealth of experience.

As a locally owned and operated small business situated in the heart of Pittsburgh, we bring extensive experience in Structural Engineering since 2005. Our founder holds both a Bachelor's and Master's of Science in Civil/Structural Engineering.

Our services encompass a wide range of offerings, including structural repair drawings for your rehabilitation projects, evaluation and removal of load-bearing walls with stamped drawings upon request, foundation reinforcements, comprehensive evaluations, and more. Additionally, we provide site plans and permit drawings to fulfill your local zoning needs and permitting requirements.

We serve the entire state of Pennsylvania, and our rates are flexible to accommodate travel time. Feel free to reach out to us to inquire if we can expedite our visit to your property compared to your local engineering firm.

For further information or to get in touch:

Email: info@pittdes.com Phone: 724-949-0004