Do I Need a Structural Engineer?
What is a structural engineer?
Structural engineering is under the umbrella of civil engineering. Civil engineers work on projects that combine the natural and man-made world, such as dams, roads, pipelines, and railways, but also commercial buildings; public works that people use. Civil engineers and structural engineers make the world go ‘round, as they are behind the buildings and amenities that you use every day.
Structural engineers work to ensure the structural integrity and security of projects, from the designing stage to the finished project. They are who to hire when there is a structural or foundational problem with a building.
When should I hire a structural engineer for a commercial property?
There are several reasons why you may need to hire a structural engineer. The first is if you have undergone a commercial building inspection and the inspector finds a structural issue and refers you to a structural engineer. The structural engineer can then perform their own visual inspection of the building and diagnose from there what may be wrong.
Another reason to hire a structural engineer is if you are looking to renovate a property in a way that may change the “bones” of the building, like removing a wall, building additions, modifying walls or windows, or anything else that may be regulated. For something like this, a structural engineer would inspect the renovation site to see is the renovations can be made without harming the structure, or what adjustments need to be made to make sure that is the case. He or she would then help find construction workers and anyone else needed to implement the project and would oversee it.
If a building is old and/or has known structural problems, or undergoes severe weather damage, these are also reasons to hire a structural engineer for a commercial property.
About Focus Building Inspections
We’re not structural engineers, but we are commercial building inspectors, who provide a critical service to buyers and owners of commercial properties. Focus Building Inspections is currently one of only two CCPIA-certified inspection companies within 200 miles of our headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the only one dedicated solely to commercial inspections. We have clients in Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas as well. With over 1,600 inspections completed, we have experience and technical knowledge for a diverse range of buildings and our clients are consistently satisfied with the work of our talented team.