Not everyone understands what a structural engineer is. We are all familiar with architects and what they do – which is to design buildings – but the role of a structural engineer in home renovation projects is less clear. However, it’s important that you understand their role, as you might need the services of a structural engineer at some point. In this post, we are going to look at what a structural engineer does and discuss when you should hire one.
What is a Structural Engineer?
Structural engineers are concerned with the structure of a building. In simple terms, they make sure a building isn’t going to collapse: i.e. the roof trusses can support the weight of the tiles, the walls can support the roof, and the windows and doors are adequately supported, too.
A structural engineer will typically specialise in different areas. Some will have experience in residential builds; others will work in commercial or civil projects. If you need a structural engineer, look for one who has worked on a range of structural engineering projects in the residential sector. The more experience they have on projects similar to yours, the better. If in doubt, ask to see their portfolio and check their references. Don’t forget also that a structural engineer should be degree educated and industry certified.
Projects Where a Structural Engineer is Needed
You probably won’t need a structural engineer if all you are doing is constructing a new patio or replacing windows, but if you are building an extension, modifying existing windows and doors, removing internal walls, taking out a chimney breast, converting a loft space into a bedroom, or underpinning floors, taking professional advice from a structural engineer is critical.
Anything that alters the structure of a building needs to be checked. There are homeowners out there who have learned this the hard way. For example, it may seem like a great idea to remove an internal wall to create an open-plan living space, but if that wall is a supporting wall, removing it could place too much stress on other walls and the roof could come crashing down on your head. Needless to say, this isn’t an outcome anyone really wants to deal with.
Building Survey
Structural engineers are also useful if you are buying a property and you have reason to suspect it could have structural issues. External cracks, evidence of subsidence, and other issues should be checked out by a structural engineer. It’s their job to provide a professional assessment of the structural integrity of the property, along with advice on how to fix any issues found.
Expert Witness
If you have a disagreement with a builder following the completion of a renovation project, you may need to hire a structural engineer to act as an expert witness. They can write a report stating what they feel might have gone wrong, which could help you to secure compensation.
If you decide to hire a structural engineer, look for someone with the right experience, good reviews, and suitable qualifications. It won’t be cheap, but this person could save you a lot of money in the long run.
My brother recently bought a commercial property because he wants to start a computer repair business, but he noticed that there are a lot of cracks in the building’s exterior. Thanks for mentioning that it can be smart to have an engineer come and check it out to make sure the property is structurally sound. I think that would help make sure that he could be safer and that nothing disastrous would happen down the line, so I’ll have to tell him to start looking into hiring a structural engineer.
I like that you mentioned how structural engineers can help inspect cracks when you are planning on buying property and need to make sure that is is structurally sound. My wife and I are interested in buying a large house so that our children can have their own rooms, but the house we want to by has deep, vertical cracks all around the property. Maybe a structural engineering service can help us make sure that the property is safe.
I didn’t know that structural engineers help make sure that a building remains intact and is properly supported. I remember my cousin telling me that he plans on becoming a home builder once he graduates from high school next year, but he needs to find a professional that can ensure that his projects are secure when he builds houses with multiple stories. Maybe it would be best for him to rely on an expert that can make sure that everything is safe.