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Structural
and Foundation Single/Multi Family Home Inspections
Don't Forget to
Visit our Reference Desk when you are done here
for more information!
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Structural
Workshop provides a unique blend of talents that put us at the forefront
of Structural and Foundation Inspections and Structural and Foundation
Repair for single and multi family residences. With licenses and
experience in both Residential Home Inspection and Design, Analysis, and
Repair of Residential Structures we bring a unique set of qualifications
to each inspection. We look at each house from both a Home Inspector's
standpoint and a Structural Engineer's standpoint. Thanks to technology, we carry equipment
with us that allows us to make immediate assessments of conditions that
in the past might have required hiring a testing service or performing
extensive demolition. If your Home Inspector calls for a
Structural Engineer, don't compromise when it comes to making such a
large purchase, go with the best.
We will be the last call you need to make when
dealing with a Structural or Foundation problem on a house you own or
are considering buying. Unlike other Engineering Firms we are experts in
dealing with the specific needs of this type of project. Our procedures
and pricing are geared to maximize our client's benefits and minimize
their costs and hassles. Generally, we charge a flat fee for a visit to
the home. At this visit we will look at any Structural Items you would
like us to. We will consult with you at the visit to determine the best
course of action. Most of the time we will write a follow up letter
detailing what we found, possible causes, recommended solutions, and a
rough construction cost estimate for the recommended repairs. If this is the case, a
small, additional fee is added to the cost of the visit. If you decide
to make the repairs, we can put you in touch with one of our
Contractors who have been prescreened for reputability and
qualifications to make structural and foundation repairs. If any
additional Engineering work is required or anticipated the Contractor
will include that in his quote and deal with us directly, saving you the
hassle of dealing with more than one person. If you choose to use your
own Contractor, we offer many additional services and you or your
Contractor may choose to work with us directly.
We offer the following services on Single/Multi
Family Structural Inspections:
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Standard Inspection and Follow Up Letter
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Detailed Invasive Testing and Investigation if Required
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Design
of Repairs
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Cost
Estimating
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Construction Administration/Contractor Selection
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Coordination with Building Department/Permitting
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Pre-Construction Contractor Coordination
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Inspections During Construction
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Post-Construction Inspection and Certification Letters
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For
Homebuyers: Another
Inspection, Another Check, Another Holdup?
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Don't panic if your Home
Inspector has decided a Structural Engineer should have a closer look at
something. Your Home Inspector most likely did you a favor. It can be
daunting to have to schedule and pay for an additional inspection within
the time constraints of a real estate purchase. Structural problems can
potentially be the largest repair cost you will have in a new home and
they usually are not considered routine maintenance that can be
deferred. They have the potential to be significant safety risks.
Engineering fees are minor compared to the cost of repairs that may need
to be made after closing. An Engineering Inspection before closing is
the best way to ensure you are buying a safe house and ensure a fair
payment arrangement will be made with the seller prior to closing. We
understand the time constraints of a real estate transaction and we
understand that most homebuyers are not well versed in structural
issues. Our goal is to get your inspection done as soon as possible and
to clearly explain to you our findings so you can make an informed
decision and be on a firm footing to negotiate payment for any necessary
repairs. |
Information on Typical Structural Home Defects
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While there are many possible
Structural defects in a residential structure the following are the most
common. We have much more detailed information in our
Reference Desk:
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Cracked/Bowed
Foundation Wall: It is common to find some cracking and/or
movement in masonry basement walls. Some cracks are harmless, while
others can be signs of significant problems. Many times this
condition is caused by a water problem which also will need to be
addressed. Sometimes a home seller will do a good job of covering up
cosmetic signs of water damage and foundation wall problems will be
the only sign of an intermittent water problem. Generally, the
critical loading on a basement wall is the soil/water pressure
behind it, not the wall above it. In general, horizontal cracking
and movement is more of a concern than vertical cracking and
movement. An Engineer
can diagnose how serious these conditions are and design the
appropriate repairs.
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Cut Joists/Beams:
Electricians, Plumbers, Other Trades, and Homeowners sometimes cut
or notch members of the houses framing system to accommodate their
piping, wiring, or other work. There are guidelines for where and
how large these cuts can be without compromising the integrity of
the structural member. An Engineer can determine whether or
not repairs are required.
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Sagging
Floors/Roof: This can be a typical, harmless sign of an aging
structure, a sign of poor design/construction, or a sign of a
structural failure requiring
immediate repair. An Engineer can determine this and the appropriate
repair method.
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Foundation
Settlement: There are many causes of foundation settlement and
as with most problems its severity and solution varies. An Engineer
can evaluate how serious the condition is and design any required
repairs.
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Cracked
Joists/Beams: This condition almost always needs to be repaired.
Some Home Buyers will try to save money by hiring a carpenter to fix
it. Carpenters are not trained to analyze the loading condition that
caused the cracking, nor are they trained to calculate what is
required to prevent it from happening again. This condition can also
be a sign of a larger problem. Putting a band-aid on it may lead to
larger issues in the future.
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Roof Rafter
Spread: When roof rafter rely on each other for support and
balance they need to be braced to prevent them from pulling away
from the ridge line and "sliding" down the roof. This is typically
done with collar ties. It is common to see collar ties incorrectly
or inadequately installed or not installed at all.
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Wood Destroying
Insect Damage: Damage by termites or other wood destroying
insects needs to be repaired independently of any termite treatment
plan. Sill plates are a very common area of damage. An Engineer can
determine the extents of the repair and design a repair method that
will ensure the safety of the rest of the structure during the
repair. It is wise to have an Engineer design a repair scheme and
method for more extensive termite repair to ensure the structure is
sound during the repair and after the repair.
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Temporary Repairs:
It is very common, especially in basements of older houses, to find
temporary supports installed and relied on permanently. We are
constantly amazed by the contraptions we find that were installed by
some well meaning homeowner or carpenter. Sadly, some of these
contraptions can be a major safety hazard. An Engineer can determine
the adequacy of these repairs and design permanent repairs if
required.
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"I've never seen
that before": Yes, sometimes a Home Inspector will call for an
Engineer because they find a condition they are not familiar with.
It is better for the Home Inspector and for you to err on the side
of caution. This is one reason why we review the Home Inspection
Report and speak with the Home Inspector prior to visiting the
house. We try to determine if we feel an inspection is necessary or
only suggested. If you decide not to have the inspection, we will
only charge you a small fee for our time researching the problem,
saving you most of the cost of the inspection.
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