"Martin and Great Lakes are consummate professionals. They are incredibly knowledgable about structures and the factors and variables that can affect them -- both internal and external. For our work, they excavated along the foundation to allow us to analyze our foundation. We highly recommend them to preserve the structure of your facilities new and old."
"I would (and almost certainly will) work with AGGO again!
We are buying a house and something came up where we needed a structural engineer to inspect something on very short notice. I reached out though Angi's to any company that might possibly employ structural engineers and Linda, a Structural Engineer with AGGO got back to me right away, first thing in the morning and was able to squeeze us in that very night.
Linda was thoughtful and thorough. She careful looked over everything and even brought a large, bright light since it was after dark. She took her time, answered all of our questions, and gave us advice on other concerns and things to watch out for as well as reassuring us about things we didn't need to worry about in this situation. Even though she was probably working past her normal work hours to squeeze us in, nothing felt rushed or hasty."
"Marc did a great job on our garage expansion project! He was friendly and professional, taking all of our ideas and criteria and combining them into a great layout. The drawings themselves look great. We are still shopping the plans around to contractors, and Marc is always helpful with advice or ways to reduce cost. Would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for an architect."
"Architect Kristin Kollias has provided me with professional and responsive help in the renovation of a vacant single family bungalow in Chicago that required extensive repair for compliance with the City of Chicago codes. She assisted in guiding me in obtaining required site plan for the residence; addressed the structural, electrical and plumbing details required; drafted and created the architectural floor plans that fit my vison of interior space; and facilitated in obtaining the necessary city permits from City of Chicago. Clearly she is a true professional and her services are greatly appreciated."
"David completed the project within 2 weeks for a full basement remodel. He suggested some space saving ideas we had not thought off. Great value and great service."
"We met with owner/senior architect, Firmin Senga to join us in the viewing of our desired property. We wanted to have an architect on board with us for reassurance that the updates we plan will work before we make an offer. He was very helpful."
"I got to work with Tim Nugent on designing an addition to my home. He was able to come up with a great design to fit my budget. Very good guy to work with. Highly reccomend!!"
Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts
You should pick steel for your new support beam for a few reasons. While steel is more expensive than other materials, such as laminated veneer lumber or glulam, it offers the following benefits:
Fire-resistant
Unaffected by pests
Longer-lasting
Stronger against water damage (when galvanized against rust)
Structural engineers can perform various inspections on different structures in your home. These inspections usually include a report detailing the engineer’s findings and recommendations for repairs so you can determine your next course of action for repairs, replacements, or new builds.
Some of the most common structural engineering reports include:
Full home inspection: $350–$1,000
Foundation: $300–$800
Load-bearing walls: $300–$1,000
Roof: $150–$600
Chimney: $200–$500
Generally, you can tell if a home is bolted to the foundation by checking the foundation for plates. If you see that your foundational plates connect to wood or bolts protruding from them, this means that you have a bolted foundation. However, it's always wise to bring a home inspector in to confirm if your foundation is secure.
If you intend to do the majority of the work yourself, you can pay to hire an architect or a structural engineer to ensure your home remains structurally sound. They can help with the planning to make sure everything is up to code and safe for your family. On the other hand, if you’re not sure your home will be completely safe when you’ve completed the project, let a pro do the job.
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.
The Palatine, IL homeowners’ guide to structural engineering services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
The cost of a structural engineer is easily justifiable given the value they bring to the table. Use this guide to see what hiring your professional will total in Chicago, IL.
Find out the average beam installation cost in Chicago, IL. Learn what you can expect to pay for local structural support and get your home renovation ready.
The cost of a structural engineer is easily justifiable given the value they bring to the table. Use this guide to see what hiring your professional will total.
Spotting deep foundation cracks or sagging floors? Learn about structural engineering costs, serious warning signs, and how to hire the right local pro.
It can be hard to choose the right pro for any job, but it matters. Learn how to hire a structural engineer who'll get the job done right from start to finish.
