How to Get Through a Structural Home Inspection and What to Expect
Structural issues can wreak havoc on your home. They can cause cracked walls, sloping floors, and sagging roofs and leave your residence vulnerable to pests and water damage. Though the risk of finding structural problems increases in aging homes, in new and old homes alike sloppy construction can be another culprit.
While serious structural defects are rare, when red flags pop up, general home inspectors often refer buyers and sellers to professionals, like structural engineers, who can conduct further specialty inspections.
“A structural engineer is a licensed civil engineer in whatever state they’re working in,” explains Gregg Cantor, president and CEO of Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel in San Diego, California, who has over 35 years of structural experience and whose company specializes in architectural aspects including structural engineering for new and existing homes.
“Structural engineers have a stamp — and when they provide a report, they stamp it, and that has a lot more ‘teeth’ than just a report by an inspector.”
If this is your first go-around with a structural home inspection, you probably have some questions, like, how much do they cost? When are they needed? And how do you prepare for one?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll answer all the hows, whens and whys of structural inspections. We’ll also share advice and insights from top-rated professionals with years of experience in both real estate and home construction. To get started, let’s kick things off with how structural inspections differ from home inspections.
Structural inspection vs. home inspection: What is the difference?
Structural inspections and home inspections may sound similar, but each plays a unique role in ensuring a home’s safety.
While it’s not uncommon for home inspectors to also be structural engineers, it is rare for structural engineers to also be home inspectors. Being that most structural engineers don’t perform routine home inspections, they are typically only brought in when their skills are required to further examine concerns with a home.
A general inspector can often provide a structural engineer referral. These professionals do need to be licensed (check with your state’s engineering licensing board) to give a qualified opinion.
A home inspection
Home inspections are performed by a certified home inspector who visually assesses a home’s basic systems. They are not looking at cosmetic issues or anything that requires minor repair, but they are looking for issues that could affect the home’s safety. This includes things like the property’s plumbing, electrical, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), and roof.
