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Lawrence T. Butler, Professional Engineer, LLC

4.77(
49
)
•Approved Pro

Lawrence T. Butler, Professional Engineer, LLC

4.77(
49
)
•Approved Pro
Customers say: Quick response
Recommended by 95% of Angi customers
Recommended by 95% of HomeAdvisor customers
9 years of experience

Welcome to Lawrence T. Butler, Professional Engineering, LLC! We have a single mission which is to achieve complete customer satisfaction! We are a civil/structural engineering firm that does residential projects up to large industrial projects! We specialize in commercial tenant improvements, residential inspections, and exempt architectural projects. Our prices start at $1,250 for structural assessments. Give us a call today!

"The service was excellent and Mr Butler was super responsive!"

Vanessa W on November 2024

Welcome to Lawrence T. Butler, Professional Engineering, LLC! We have a single mission which is to achieve complete customer satisfaction! We are a civil/structural engineering firm that does residential projects up to large industrial projects! We specialize in commercial tenant improvements, residential inspections, and exempt architectural projects. Our prices start at $1,250 for structural assessments. Give us a call today!

"The service was excellent and Mr Butler was super responsive!"

Vanessa W on November 2024

Avatar for Bix Basement Systems

Bix Basement Systems

4.02(
42
)

Bix Basement Systems

4.02(
42
)
Customers say: Quality work
65 years of experience

Bix Services is a full service basement, foundation and crawl space repair company with access to more than 28 patented products by Basement Systems, Inc. and Foundation Supportworks, Inc.

Bix Services is a full service basement, foundation and crawl space repair company with access to more than 28 patented products by Basement Systems, Inc. and Foundation Supportworks, Inc.

Avatar for EHM

EHM

4.50(
16
)

EHM

4.50(
16
)
Customers say: Quality work
71 years of experience

EHM is a structural moving and elevating company that also specializes in foundation repair and replacement. We have been working in the Midwest since the Great Floods of 1993. We specialize in severely comprised foundation issues. We can elevate, level, pier or replace a wall or your entire foundation. We do not do mudjacking, waterproofing or minor crack repair.

"I did not get the service that we originally talked about I am very unhappy"

Donna S on August 2021

EHM is a structural moving and elevating company that also specializes in foundation repair and replacement. We have been working in the Midwest since the Great Floods of 1993. We specialize in severely comprised foundation issues. We can elevate, level, pier or replace a wall or your entire foundation. We do not do mudjacking, waterproofing or minor crack repair.

"I did not get the service that we originally talked about I am very unhappy"

Donna S on August 2021

Avatar for Burke Engineering Sales Co

Burke Engineering Sales Co

No reviews yet

Burke Engineering Sales Co

No reviews yet
Free onsite estimate

Welcome to Burke Engineering Sales! We have been serving the Siouxland since 1952. Our President GR "Jerry" Gardiner feels the foundation of Burke Engineering has been built on its reputation of excellent customer service and selling quality products at a competitive price. Burke Engineering professional staff can meet your specific needs as well as write hardware and door schedules for your specific projects. We Specialize In: • Hollow metal doors and frames • Wood doors • Finish hardware • Acoustical ceilings • Access flooring • Chain link fence Provided Trades, Services, and/or Products • Construction materials • Acoustical and ceiling work • Access flooring system installation • Fence construction • Wood and Plastic Laminated Doors • Finish Hardware - Builders Hardware • Hollow Metal Doors and Frames See what a difference it makes when you give Burke Engineering and BTB Limited the opportunity to work with you on your next project.

Welcome to Burke Engineering Sales! We have been serving the Siouxland since 1952. Our President GR "Jerry" Gardiner feels the foundation of Burke Engineering has been built on its reputation of excellent customer service and selling quality products at a competitive price. Burke Engineering professional staff can meet your specific needs as well as write hardware and door schedules for your specific projects. We Specialize In: • Hollow metal doors and frames • Wood doors • Finish hardware • Acoustical ceilings • Access flooring • Chain link fence Provided Trades, Services, and/or Products • Construction materials • Acoustical and ceiling work • Access flooring system installation • Fence construction • Wood and Plastic Laminated Doors • Finish Hardware - Builders Hardware • Hollow Metal Doors and Frames See what a difference it makes when you give Burke Engineering and BTB Limited the opportunity to work with you on your next project.

Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

Yes, ceiling joists are typically load-bearing. However, their primary function is to support the weight of the ceiling and loads applied to it, like lighting fixtures and ceiling fans. They can also help support the roof, especially if they’re part of truss systems. Remember, the load-bearing capacity of ceiling joists depends on the material, size, and space between them. 

The easiest way to tell if a wall is load bearing is to check if it’s an exterior wall or if it runs perpendicular to the joists above and below it (or parallel to beams). Exterior walls are almost always load-bearing, and walls that run under beams or parallel to them are also usually load-bearing. There are exceptions to these rules, and walls that don’t fit into these categories can still be load-bearing. If you’re unsure, hire a structural engineer to look at your home to assess whether or not the wall is structural.

It's safe to assume that all exterior walls are load-bearing, or at least have load-bearing characteristics. Some older homes feature porches or bump-outs that don't rest on the home's foundation. However, they still must carry the weight of the roof section they support. Walls containing floor-to-ceiling glass or other non-structural elements must use post and beam configurations to meet load-bearing criteria.

Structural engineers are necessary for projects involving alterations to load-bearing structures, foundation work, and compliance with safety standards. This includes home expansions, retaining walls, and significant repairs that impact a property's integrity.

Because of their composite structure, cutting or drilling LVL beams can compromise their integrity. We strongly advise contacting a general contractor or structural engineer before making any alterations to LVL beams. Professionals can also answer questions about choosing between a pier and beam versus slab foundation when designing your project.

The Clarinda, IA homeowners’ guide to structural engineering services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

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