Selecting a Structural Engineer for Your Home Inspection
We previously discussed why to hire a professional engineer for your structural home inspection here. Once you’ve decided to go that route, you’ll need to select a particular professional engineer, which is an important decision. The structural engineer’s assessment may dictate whether you spend tens of thousands of dollars in repairs, and it may even influence your decision to purchase (or not) a particular home. So how do you select a structural engineer for your inspection? Below are some factors you might consider.
Quality of Service (Online Reviews, Word of Mouth)
You want a structural engineer who will provide a high quality of service. That’s fairly obvious. But what does a high quality of service look like in this context? Here are a few things that might be important to you:
Thorough Inspection. A structural engineer should take the time to perform a thorough inspection. For foundation concerns, this should include a visual review of the interior and exterior of the foundation. Although structural inspections will vary in duration, 30–45 minutes is a reasonable expectation.
Pragmatic Recommendations. An important part of a structural engineer’s job is to determine what repairs, if any, are needed to ensure the structural integrity of a home. Most foundation problems have relatively straightforward, although sometimes expensive, repairs. A structural engineer should be able to communicate these repairs without unnecessarily raising alarms that the house is unsalvageable or unsafe (unless that is truly the case), and in a manner that leaves all parties feeling comfortable that the repairs will restore the structural integrity of the home.
Communication. If you want the opportunity to discuss your structural engineer’s findings and potentially ask questions or seek clarification, then selecting a structural engineer who will take the time to communicate with you is important.
How do you go about finding a structural engineer who meets your expectations in these and other areas? Online reviews are a great place to start. Most engineering firms will have a Google profile with customer reviews. Word of mouth referrals are also helpful. If you are working with a real estate agent, they might have a structural engineer that they recommend.
Price Point
The cost of a structural home inspection in Kansas City ranges from about $175 to $450. You want to find a structural engineer who is within your budget and who will provide the level of service that you desire.
Scheduling Availability and Report Timeline
In the context of a real estate transaction, you may have only a few days (or less) to perform a structural inspection of your prospective home and receive your report. So you need a structural engineer with availability and flexibility to get you scheduled and deliver your report quickly. If you are a homeowner with foundation concerns, you may not need an inspection and report tomorrow, but you might not want to wait six months, either. In any event, you should be able to quickly determine a structural engineer’s availability and report turnaround time with a call, text, or email.
If you’re looking for a professional engineer who provides high-quality service, is reasonably priced, and can accommodate short timelines, Schroeder Engineering is here to help. We invite you to check out our reviews on Google and Nextdoor and then contact us to schedule your structural inspection.