Do I need a structural engineer to knock down a wall?

• <div><p>In many areas, advice from a structural engineer or an architect will be required by your building department before you can remove a wall, but even if it’s not necessary, it’s a good idea. Accidentally removing a load-bearing wall—even if a general contractor advises that it’s safe—can cause major structural damage, putting you and your family at risk and potentially costing thousands or tens of thousands of dollars in property damage.</p></div>

Can you put a doorway in a structural wall?

• <div><p>Yes, you can put a doorway in a structural wall; in fact, most exterior doors are set into structural walls. The project is a little more challenging than installing a door in a non-load-bearing wall because you need a structural engineer to assess the wall and make sure it’s safe to create a wall opening. Your engineer’s report will include instructions for your contractor on how and where to install additional supports, like steel headers above the door, to distribute the weight above to the wall on either side of the door.</p></div>

Get matched with top structural engineers in Warsaw, KY

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: How long does it take for water to cause structural damage?

• <div><p>Water can seep into porous materials like wood beams, floor joists, and roof rafters within minutes, but they&rsquo;ll need to see prolonged exposure before you have structural damage. Mold can start growing within 24 hours, and mold can eat away at the structural components over time. Wood rot is more of a concern, though. Wet and dry rot are fungal infections that set in in moist conditions and rapidly deteriorate wood, causing major structural damage within just a few months in some cases.</p></div>

Q: What are the signs of structural damage?

• <div><p><a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/signs-of-structural-damage.htm">Signs of structural damage</a> include foundation cracks, roof leaks, bouncy floors, crumbling concrete, and cracked or leaning chimneys. Structural damage can make itself apparent in various ways, and sometimes, there may not be obvious signs. Inspect your foundation and roof annually to stay ahead of potentially serious structural problems. </p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Warsaw, KY

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Warsaw, KY 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 Warsaw, KY 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 August 04, 2025

Reviewed in August 2025
They did a lot of work for me. Resided my barn and changed the door configuration as well as poured concrete for another building I had delivered and did a lot of dirt work to make a leveled barn yard with drive going back and fill in a shallow pond that’s on the property. I will have them...
All American Post Buildings & Contracting
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Reviewed in August 2024
My kitchen and new outdoor living spaces were above our expectations! Scott Dupin was instrumental in the layout and details. He is extremely knowledgeable in the construction world! Highly recommend Reston for any remodel, addition or custom build!
Reston Construction
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Reviewed in January 2024
Tom made the building process smooth from design right through completion. The result is a project that exceeds our expectations.
Matthews Custom Restorations, LLC
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Reviewed in June 2023
The concrete looks awesome. They did way more than I expected. Quick and efficient. Love their work.
Stamper Concrete
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Reviewed in August 2022
Chuck did an excellent job designing, building, installing, and finishing a set of built-ins in our living room. He was knowledgeable, courteous, and timely I would highly recommend using him for further carpentry work in the future.
Seven Hands
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Reviewed in June 2021
Arrow concrete lifting was excellent, on time , great job! Well done !
The Foundation Specialists
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Reviewed in May 2021
The team did an excellent job. The amount of wood to be removed was enormous. They worked diligently and cut up and removed the large trees. I thought it would have been impossible to do so much in one day. If I have any other work of this nature I would be happy to hire them again.
Tri-State Ground Maintenance
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Reviewed in January 2017
Stealth Foundation,LLC's website says they have served as a trusted adviser to Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky homeowners for over thirty years; however, BBB Ohio indicates that the business was incorporated March 1, 2010 - 6 years ago. In the end, we did not have any work performed by Stealth...
Stealth Foundation
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Reviewed in January 2015
I obtained a quote to have two trees removed from my backyard. Mark Hatfield came out and looked at the trees, and gave me a written estimate. After I approved the work to be done, he had his insurance company fax me proof of his liability insurance. Then, in just over three weeks, his crew...
Precision Tree Svc
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Reviewed in June 2014
Tracy was very prompt at returning our calls and it was easy to setup an appointment with him to come out and look at the house. He was very professional and very detailed in his work. He explained his findings to us in a way that was easy to understand and provided us with a written...
Tracy Mitchell PE
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Find Structural engineers in Warsaw

Reed Engineering LLC

5.0(

)

Serving Warsaw, KY and surrounding areas

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Reed Engineering did a great job! Very polite, respectful of my property, professional and informative!"

Response time1 day

Response rate85%

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Elite Stucco & EIFS Solutions

4.1(

)

Serving Warsaw, KY and surrounding areas

In business since 2005

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"If you need any Stucco work done, this is the company to do the job. Sergio was professional and a pleasure to work with throughout the experience from initial estimate through the completion of the job. This was a difficult job, and the result was incredible, and the cost more than fair. Sergio is one of the most ethical contractors I have ever had the pleasure to work with."

+222

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

In many areas, advice from a structural engineer or an architect will be required by your building department before you can remove a wall, but even if it’s not necessary, it’s a good idea. Accidentally removing a load-bearing wall—even if a general contractor advises that it’s safe—can cause major structural damage, putting you and your family at risk and potentially costing thousands or tens of thousands of dollars in property damage.

Yes, you can put a doorway in a structural wall; in fact, most exterior doors are set into structural walls. The project is a little more challenging than installing a door in a non-load-bearing wall because you need a structural engineer to assess the wall and make sure it’s safe to create a wall opening. Your engineer’s report will include instructions for your contractor on how and where to install additional supports, like steel headers above the door, to distribute the weight above to the wall on either side of the door.

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.

Water can seep into porous materials like wood beams, floor joists, and roof rafters within minutes, but they’ll need to see prolonged exposure before you have structural damage. Mold can start growing within 24 hours, and mold can eat away at the structural components over time. Wood rot is more of a concern, though. Wet and dry rot are fungal infections that set in in moist conditions and rapidly deteriorate wood, causing major structural damage within just a few months in some cases.

Signs of structural damage include foundation cracks, roof leaks, bouncy floors, crumbling concrete, and cracked or leaning chimneys. Structural damage can make itself apparent in various ways, and sometimes, there may not be obvious signs. Inspect your foundation and roof annually to stay ahead of potentially serious structural problems.

The Warsaw, KY homeowners’ guide to structural engineering services

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