How Much Does a Structural Engineer Cost?
3 pros!
Hiring a structural engineer costs $200-$1,300. Homeowners spend an average of about $500 to hire one of these licensed pros.
How Much Does a Structural Engineer Inspection Cost?
Every project differs, but in general you can plan to spend 8 percent of the total cost of your renovation on structural review fees. Most of these pros charge $100 to $150 per hour for an inspection.
Costs vary for each part of the in-depth structural review an engineer does.
1. Inspection and report: $300-$400. Starting point is a big-picture look at the project. Reports are part of that price. The pro inspects the building to find any basic problems.
2. Plans: 45 percent of engineering budget. Describes how to fix any problems found during the assessment.
3. Drawings: $100 -$130 an hour. Show builders how to carry out the plans.
Good pros provide pricing before they start any work. They make sure you know all the costs. They may also work with you on a payment schedule.
How Much Does a Foundation Inspection Cost?
A foundation inspection by a structural engineer costs between $350-$1,000. It’s a big expense, but inspections deliver long-term value. These pros can spot issues early that might need costly repairs later. They aren’t biased and won’t try to sell you repairs you don’t need.
If you discover a problem with a house’s footings, hire one of these specialists to inspect it. Some problems are cosmetic. Others are severe enough to need fixing right away. A seasoned pro can work out what’s causing the problem.
What Factors Influence Structural Engineer Fees?
The cost of these specialists depends on a few key factors:
- Square footage of the area: Larger projects cost more than smaller ones.
- Complex projects: If it involves many structural changes, expect to pay more.
- Where you live: Costs may be higher or lower depending on your location.
- Level of skill and practice: Seasoned pros charge more.
Why Do You Need a Structural Engineer?
These pros make sure the structure of your house is sound. They know how changes to a building might impact it over time. Owning a home is a huge venture, and they help to make sure it lasts.
Hire a structural engineer if you are:
- Building a new home
- Adding on to your home
- Making major changes - Adding or removing walls
- Repairing major damage - Review storm or fire damage, plan a rebuild, fix cracks or sags in walls, footings, roof or chimney
- Any time you are concerned about the structural integrity of your home.
What’s the Difference Between a Home Inspector and a Structural Engineer?
Home inspectors are generalists. They look for varied signs of trouble on a property and advise calling in specialists where it’s needed.
Structural engineers are among these specialists. They’re the pros a home inspector will suggest when the house’s soundness is in question.
"A lot of homeowners don’t really understand what the structural engineering profession involves," says Scott Zurn, president of Level Engineering and Inspections in Denver. "Or they don't understand how important we are when they’re modifying their structure. We do what the layman would think of as a staggering amount of research about the environment and the load it places on a building. We look at 100 years of study and risk analysis and understand the loads that a building can withstand. If you want to take a beam or wall out of your house, how much are you going to change the capacity of the building to resist loads and ensure safe occupation? A homeowner may look at a wall and think: there’s not a lot of load up there. But an engineer knows there’s a 1% chance that 50 pounds per square inch of snow can accumulate on that roof."
How Do You Find a Residential Structural Engineer?
Do your research and ask questions:
1. Are you licensed in my state? What’s your license number?
2. How long have you been working?
3. What’s your specialty?
4. Can you give me your references?
5. How much do you charge?
"A lot of states say they’re going to let architects have authority to design structures," says Zurn. "But a lot of states are changing that. You’re watching an industry in transition on this issue, and it’s very related to where you are geographically. Accepted practices in the Midwest versus the south versus California, they’re all different, and those building officials that have the authority, have the opinion to decide how those codes are adopted and enforced. So what’s okay in one city is not okay in another."
It’s always worth a little extra time to make sure you’re hiring the right pro for the project. Get at least three quotes for a competitive price near you.
To quickly find three local specialists for your project, contact three qualified Structural Engineers here. Or do you prefer to research the best engineers? Find your local list of Structural Engineers near you here.
