The foundation of your home plays a major role in its stability and whether you will experience a number of other problems. For this reason, it’s important to get a structural analysis of foundations from a residential structural engineer to ensure the reliability of your existing foundation. It will also allow you to get the necessary repairs before the problem becomes more serious and more expensive to repair.
1. The Right Qualifications
In order to become a residential structural engineer, an individual must earn a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, which takes between four and five years. They must also complete a five year internship under an experienced structural engineer. This means the individual you hire will have the training and experience necessary to accurately assess the condition of your foundation design and make the appropriate recommendations.
2. An Engineering Report
After a foundation inspection, it’s important to get the final report that tells you and any contractors you work with the condition of your foundation and what they recommend needs to be done. The good news is these reports are often available at a much lower cost than you would spend on getting one from your average contractor.
3. No Sales Pitch
While a contractor can help with a structural analysis of foundations, they are more likely to pressure you into hiring them for the job. In essence, they use this type of inspection to sell you on services, some of which you may not even need at the moment. This can quickly become a conflict of interest, costing you more money than if you had hired a structural engineer from the start. These individuals have no vested interest in how many repairs you need.
4. Trustworthy Recommendations
If you do need work on your foundation design, your structural engineer will be aware of the most reputable contractors in your area who can perform the work properly. They will be able to make the appropriate recommendations so you can hire a contractor you can trust to get the job done right the first time.
5. Peace of Mind
A residential structural engineer can give you peace of mind your home is on a solid foundation that is less likely to fail. Not knowing the condition of the base of your home can lead to serious problems down the road. An experienced professional can tell you what needs to be fixed and when so you can be sure your home remains stable and safe.
Whether you’re buying a home or you don’t know the condition of your current home, a structural analysis of the foundation can provide valuable insight. Hiring an experienced residential structural engineer to complete the work can provide a number of benefits so you can feel safe in your home and get the work done at a reasonable price.
If you’re looking for a reliable structural engineer to handle your foundation analysis, contact us. We can inspect your foundation and make the necessary recommendations.