Is it worth getting a structural engineer?

• <div><p>If you’re building new construction or adding onto your existing home, hiring a structural engineer is not only worth it but it’s probably required by your local building department. Structural engineers will ensure you aren’t making your home unsafe in the building process, which is crucial from a safety perspective but also a legal one. It’s also worth hiring a structural engineer if you’re making changes to structural components, like removing a load-bearing wall.</p></div>

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Q: Is it worth getting a structural engineer?

• <div><p>If you&rsquo;re building new construction or adding onto your existing home, hiring a structural engineer is not only worth it but it&rsquo;s probably required by your local building department. Structural engineers will ensure you aren&rsquo;t making your home unsafe in the building process, which is crucial from a safety perspective but also a legal one. It&rsquo;s also worth hiring a structural engineer if you&rsquo;re making changes to structural components, like removing a load-bearing wall.</p></div>

Q: How do contractors cut a doorway in a concrete block wall?

• <div><p>First, most contractors will have a structural engineer create a report and plan for your project to ensure it&rsquo;s safe to cut into the load-bearing wall. The contractor will then excavate around the wall, if necessary, measure the opening&mdash;allowing for additional space to fit and level the door, and then cut the doorway out. They will likely install a steel lintel as a header over the door for support. Once the doorway is cut out, they&rsquo;ll demolish the concrete using sledge hammers and masonry chisels, clean up the surrounding concrete, and seal around the door with masonry mortar. </p></div>

Q: Are beams and joists the same?

• <div><p>No, beams are the primary load-bearers for flooring or roofing systems, and they distribute the weight of the structure to your foundational supports, while joists bear far less weight and distribute their loads to the beams. Beams are usually thicker and longer, and they have support posts or foundation walls beneath them for support.</p></div>

Q: Do squeaky floors mean structural damage?

• <div><p>Squeaky floors don&rsquo;t always mean structural damage. Usually, it&rsquo;s caused by friction somewhere inside your floor&mdash;whether it&rsquo;s a loose floorboard or a gap between the subfloor and joists. If there is structural damage, you&rsquo;ll notice other signs like soft or sagging floors, cracks that go from the wall to the ceiling, and horizontal cracks on your foundation.</p></div>

Q: Do I need a structural engineer or an architect?

• <div><p>Whether you&rsquo;re building a new home or building an extension on your existing property, you will likely need both a structural engineer and an architect. A structural engineer will determine what loads your foundation and framing can safely handle, and an architect will draw plans according to those structural calculations to simplify the building process. You can start by contacting a structural engineer near you, as many work alongside architects and can get all of the prep work done at once.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Nice, CA

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Nice, CA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Structural Engineering needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Structural Engineering companies in Nice, CA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Structural Engineering needs.

Last update on October 25, 2025

Reviewed in March 2022
Excellent company I heard of from a neighbor and I am thrilled with the results. ASI Moalem was my first contact and stayed involved. He got me hooked up with Tom Shavit, the project manager and man, everything was perfect. These guys know what they are doing and have the best customer...
Sonny Builders, Inc.
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Reviewed in November 2019
Robert (the business owner) was patient, approachable and communicative throughout the process. Our 1930's era house was a fairly complex job requiring a great deal of critical thought and planning; we were extremely fortunate to have found ECS. Robert has the breadth and depth of experience and...
ECS Exterior Solutions
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Reviewed in April 2018
Terry was astounding at assisting me with this purchase. I had some specific wants from my new home, and she carefully steered me towards homes that met my criteria. Occasionally she probed to see what my limits were, and then she respectfully revised her searches for me. After a couple months...
Terry Diane Kinney, REALTOR
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Reviewed in March 2018
I would like to render a complaint before I pay my bill. Employee came to our house around the 12Jan2018 did an inspection of the house. A few days later we received the report and assumed everything was ok. My husband was home at the time and Employee did not say anything about anything. A few...
Stanley Pest Control-El Monte Office
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Reviewed in September 2016
First I must say to the reviewers that whoever gave him an F is a complete idiot. The reason I chose this man's work over the others is the extreme attention to detail he takes and the very clear list of what he can and cannot comment on. Many people think just a home inspection is sufficient to...
Housecheck Inspections
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Reviewed in June 2009
They did the work without messing up the house too much, always using pads and cleaning up dust. As it happens, Burns's quote was lower than several other vendors, though about $1,300 higher than the lowest bid. The owner, Bob Burns, is a thoughtful guy who explored a lot of alternatives before...
Burns Mechanical Corp
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Reviewed in November 2007
Performed task well. I had an architect draw conceptions and Mr. McCarthy do the plans. Wish alternative ways of construction were explained by one or the other. After getting bids from the first set of plans, I had to have them redrawn so the structure did not need expensive retaining walls....
W. L. McCarthy, RCE
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RSCO, Inc

RSCO, Inc

Swicegood Civil Engineering, Inc.

Swicegood Civil Engineering, Inc.

Mashiach Exploration LLC

Mashiach Exploration LLC

A&E Associated

A&E Associated

Romanazzi General Engineering

Romanazzi General Engineering

Fielden Engineering Group

Fielden Engineering Group

Cullumber Engineering

Cullumber Engineering

RYAKT

RYAKT

THR Engineering

THR Engineering

Hanbali And Associates

Hanbali And Associates

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