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The Structure of the Building

Insight and understanding that only a Licensed Engineer can provide
Over 80,000 inspections performed since 1968

One of the biggest concerns of many home and building buyers is the structure of the building.  Fortunately, real estate in the greater New York area, structural defects are less common than in some other parts of the country.  Building codes have helped limit the number of structural defects.

If you buy a building that has a structural defect, the fact that most buildings do not have structural defects is of little comfort.  You want to know if the building is structurally sound.

Some home and building buyers believe structural defects are only a concern in older buildings.  Other real estate purchasers feel they can find structural defects just by looking carefully.   Still other building buyers feel that an old building that is still standing must have no structural defects.

The fact is that most structural defects have only subtle symptoms.  For example, a building buyer may not recognize a sill plate with termite damage that needs $9500 worth of repairs.

The following statement regarding home and building inspection was issued by the New York State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying:

It is the opinion of The Board that the inspection and examination of single or multiple family residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional buildings regarding their structural, electrical and mechanical subsystems for proper integrity or capacity constitutes the practice of engineering as defined by the "law."  Any attempt to determine the structural integrity, capacity of a building, or any subsystem thereof, other than the detection of problems by visual inspection or normal operation of the user’s controls, constitutes the practice of engineering. This would include the diagnosis and analysis of problems with buildings and/or the design of remedial actions.

Therefore, an individual who advertises or practices in this area shall be a registered professional engineer in the State of New York.

Only a Licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect can assess structural sufficiency and capacity.  While an inspector who is not an engineer can describe what is visible, the non-engineer cannot assess the structural sufficiency or capacity.

If you are concerned about the structural integrity of the home or building, you need to have a pre-purchase inspection performed by a Licensed Professional Engineer.

Call 800.640.8090 or use the online form 24/7 for more information.
 

Call 800.640.8090, or click here to contact Heimer Engineering 24/7.

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This page was last reviewed on February 26, 2008.
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