STLStructural
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A structural inspection before you buy.

A structural review of a house you are under contract on.

Request this service
Buyers and an inspector looking at a brick bungalow from the front walk

When should a buyer call a structural engineer?

As soon as the home inspection mentions the foundation, framing, or "further evaluation by a structural engineer". Inspection periods are short, so send the address and the inspector's wording the same day.

When you need it

  • The home inspection report recommends an engineer
  • You see cracks, sloping floors, or sticking doors on a showing
  • The house is older brick with a stone or brick foundation
  • You plan to remodel and want to know what the structure allows
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  1. 1Foundation walls
  2. 2Beams and posts
  3. 3Floor framing
  4. 4Roof framing
  5. 5Chimney and masonry

What the engineer looks at

  • The specific items the home inspector flagged
  • Foundation walls, piers, beams, and posts
  • Floor and roof framing that can be reached
  • Signs of movement: cracks, slopes, separations
  • Past repairs and alterations, including removed walls

What you get

  • A written report you can share with your agent and the seller
  • What is a real structural concern and what is cosmetic
  • The repair needed, described well enough to get bids
  • A phone call to walk through the findings if you want one

Common questions

Is this the same as a home inspection?

No. A home inspector reviews the whole house at a general level. An engineer goes deep on the structure only, so the two work together.

Can you meet a contract deadline?

Tell us the date when you send the request. We reply within one business day and say plainly whether the visit and report can fit your deadline.

Can I use the report to negotiate?

That is a common use. A signed engineering report carries more weight with a seller than an estimate from a repair company.

Read first

Structural inspection before buying a houseWhat to do when a home inspection flags structure and the clock is running. Structural engineer vs home inspector: which do you need?What each professional does, and when a home inspection is not enough. Common structural issues in St. Louis brick housesThe structural problems older St. Louis brick houses tend to develop, and what they look like.

Related services

Foundation and basement wallsCracks, bowing or leaning walls, settlement, and sloping floors. Stamped engineer lettersThe signed and sealed letter a building department, lender, or contractor asked for. Brick and masonryCracked or bulging brick, failing lintels, chimneys, parapets, and cornices.