When/Why Should I Hire A Structural Engineer?

Contrary to expectations, constructing is not exactly a straightforward process. Many things are involved in the process, which an armature can't do. Hence, hiring the right professional is necessary. But when should you hire a structural engineer?

But before that, what is a structural engineer?

Who Are Structural Engineers?

Structural engineers are civil engineers responsible for overviewing, creating specifications and drawings, evaluating, and overseeing the construction process. They are supposed to review the work of other engineers and observe the construction sites.

Signs You Need To Hire A Structural Engineer/ When Should You Hire A Structural Engineer:

Here are the signs you need to hire a structural engineer.

Construction Of New Building:

It doesn't matter if you are building a home or a large building for commercial purposes. Hiring a structural engineer will do wonders. They will make sure that all the plans and designs for the structure are sound. Additionally, they will also make sure that the new building is suitable for its intended purpose. Moreover, they will also integrate the new building with the existing site features and calculate the impact on the environment by the construction.

To summarize, they will make sure that your dream home is perfect and safe.

Minor Renovation:

Whether it's a minor renovation or major remodeling of your home, hiring a structural engineer is necessary. Keep in mind the renovation process involves changes to the existing structure. The structural engineer can determine how much of the existing structure of your home needs to be changed. Additionally, they will make sure it happens in the safest way possible.

Hiring a structural engineer for minor renovations like bathroom or kitchen remodeling is not necessary. When you start making significant changes to the structure, hiring them becomes necessary. Remember that structural integrity should be your priority, and hiring structural engineers can help you maintain that during renovation.

For instance, you might be adding something new to the home, like countertops in the kitchen or a heavy bathtub. The structural engineer has to make sure that your home is capable of bearing that weight. Even if you are knocking down a wall to expand space, make sure that that will not harm the building.

Major Renovations/ Remodeling:

Not all minor renovations require a structural engineer. But a bigger remodeling project definitely does. Major renovation plans like adding rooms etc., always involve significant changes to your home. Additionally, other factors have to be considered too. For instance, the engineer needs to check the foundation strength, soils around the home, and other related factors important for architects or structural engineers.

Structural Damage:

Signs of structural damage are almost always visible to the naked eye, but the true extent is almost always hidden. You might have noticed it on your own, or the inspector has pointed it out. The point here is that you can only learn about the damage's cause and total extent by hiring a structural engineer. Additionally, they will also suggest solutions to solve the problem.

Here are the clear signs of structural damage in your home.

• bowing walls
• cracks in foundation walls
• uneven floors
• cracks around window and door frames
• sticking doors
• standing water in basement/flooded basement after a hard rain

Damage Form Natural Or Manmade Disasters:

Disasters happen. You can’t avoid them, no matter where you go. However, you can minimize the damage done by these disasters. For example, after a high magnitude earthquake, you should get a structural engineer to check the integrity of your home. You should do that, especially after you notice cracks in the walls. Or in case of flooding, make sure that the foundation hasn't weakened, as water can cause a lot of damage.

Termite damage, fire, construction defects, and storm damage also warrant a call to a structural engineer.

Altering The Layout:

Altering the layout of your home is actually remodeling the property. It might include knocking down some walls to create space or building some for the same purpose. Now, you need to remember that the load-bearing walls are essential. They can't be altered easily or just knocked down on a whim. Doing so can make your whole house unstable, which is why it is not advised. So contacting a structural engineer might be the best option you have here. They can check which load-bearing walls can be altered and which walls are safe to knockdown. 

Adding Space:

There are many reasons why you need to add more space to the existing structure of your home. For instance, you might be in need of a garage, so you want to repurpose some space for that. Or maybe, you want to add a deck or patio. Even landscaping and waterscape involve a lot of planning. It's better to include a structural engineer in the process.

Adding A Room:

So, it would help if you build additional rooms. You can go through multiple options to achieve that goal. You can either build another story or expand the space width-wise. Both options involve the input of structural engineers. The first option is to add more weight to the foundation and the structure. As for the second option, there's no miracle that will allow you to get extra space on the sides. Most likely, the space will be created through altering the existing structure, like repurposing the shed knocking down the garage. The space for the new room can also be created by demolishing the patios or decks.

Structural integrity is essential, and when you are doing heavy-duty work like this, the structural engineers will have to be involved.

Custom Structures:

Architects that design homes and residential complexes often have a template. The template is tried and tested, so there is no need to involve anyone else. However, if you want a customized design and floor plan of the structures, the architect will have to start from scratch. The blueprints of the infrastructure will be designed based on your preferences. Even if you have some knowledge about the construction process, that is not enough to ensure the safety and stability of the resulting property. Consequently, the new plan will obviously need the guidance of the structural engineers. 

Installation Of Heavy Objects:

The most important thing is the load-bearing when installing heavy objects like big aquariums, Jacuzzi tubs, pianos, pool tables, etc. Can your home's existing structure bear the weight of such heavy objects? It doesn't matter if you are doing these installations on deck, a second story, or ground floor. You need to get a structural engineer to figure out if your house can tolerate the additional weight or not.

Real State Inspections:

Want to buy a new home for yourself and your family? That's great. But you haven't sealed the deal on the house you were keeping an eye on, yes? Before doing that, be sure to get it inspected by a structural engineer. Doing so will give you the guarantee that the house is safe for you and your loved ones.  

Frequently Asked Questions:

What Is Structural Engineering?

Structural engineering is a branch of civil engineering. The field involves the study and inspection of the framework of different structures. The engineers from this field design structures that are able to withstand high amounts of pressure and stress. By doing so, they ensure that the designs integrate the elements of stability, safety, and security for the occupants.

Why Hiring A Structural Engineer Is Important?

Structural engineers are supposed to provide all the necessary statistics and calculations for structural integrity and construction site. In other words, they have to ensure the safety of the occupants of any building. For instance, if your home's structural integrity is weak, you face the possibility of mild to fatal accidents. The structural engineers identify the problem with the potential structure, analyze and troubleshoot it to avoid such situations. To summarize, you are putting your life at risk by not hiring them by living in a home whose structural integrity has never been tested and confirmed to be safe.

What Are The Benefits Of Hiring A Structural Engineer?

Many, which are included but not limited to:

• You have the assurance that your home’s/ property’s structural integrity is acceptable. In other words, it is safe and stable.
• Structural engineers do all the necessary calculations to ensure the stability and strength of the structure. The resultant data serves as a guideline to all construction contractors, architects, engineers, workers, etc.
• They can identify any potential problem in a construction site or the design plans. After all, no one really wants to live in the second coming of Leaning Tower of Pisa!
• You will increase the resale value of your home.

What does Civil Engineers do?

Civil engineers are engineers who do the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining and operating the infrastructures. They should also consider protecting the public and environment health issues. Civil engineering is one of the oldest practices in the field of engineering disciplines. 

The kind of civil engineering differs in location as well. Like in the United States where municipalities employ civil engineers, construction firms, military, consulting and other firms, the state, and liberal government. Licensed engineers must graduate from accredited universities and colleges as well. Most of the states require continuing education for engineering to maintain its license. 

What is the Civil Engineer’s Specialization and how they work?

1. They can particularly unique in each of the following fields:
2. Construction Engineer – deals with designing, planning, constructing and maintaining infrastructures such as roads, bridges, airports, buildings and other utility projects. It also allocates the practical aspects of the project. 
3. Geotechnical Engineer – one of its branches that are more concern of the earth materials of the engineering behavior. The importance of this field can be of the same to military, mining, and petroleum. They use the principles of soil and rock mechanics as well.
4. Structural Engineer – they are trained to understand, predict and calculate the strength, stability and built structures of infrastructures. They are also involved in machinery, medical equipment, and vehicles.
5. Transportation Engineer – is the application of scientific principles to the planning and operation of any types of transportation. It should also relate to the urban plan to create a faster means of transportation with a minimum time span. 
6. Environmental Engineering – applies to the concern of human population with consideration to the scientific and ecological principles. It is also a branch of applied science and technology which addresses the issue preservation of energy, control of human and animal waste.

 What is their main work?

Civil Engineers work in different locations, and they spend time in the field areas to check to projects regularly. The works can practically a blend of the office and the field. They typically do the following:

• Analyze long range of plans
• Consider construction cost of the project
• Must compile and submit the necessary permits for the project
• Test materials such as concrete, cement, and others
• Can provide estimation cost for a particular project
• Manage the repair and maintenance of the project
• Uses a design software to present a good plan
• Inspect projects to ensure quality and security reasons

The civil engineers should have qualities that are very important to it. They should have leadership skills to take responsibility for the projects they are managing and maintaining. They should also decision making skills to balance multiple task and frequent conflicts in the project. Problem-solving skills are also important as to evaluate and identify the problem on a particular project and solve it accordingly. Math skills are also very important for they should have the ability to calculate and analyze the design of the project through the use of calculus, trigonometry and other advanced mathematics.

This is a tough job, but with great perseverance, patience, and skills, anyone can be a civil engineer.