Get matched with top structural engineers in Ludington, MI

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>

Q: Do structural engineers draw house plans?

• <div><p>Structural engineers draw structural plans, which include detailed drawings of the structural components of a home only. Complete house plans will require additional work from an architect or draftsperson, whose drawings will take the structural drawings into account. They&rsquo;ll also include more details about the finishing materials and layout of a home, including everything from roofing and flooring materials to the position of furniture, light fixtures, switches, and plumbing fixtures.</p></div>

Q: Can hiring a pro prevent future structural issues?

• <div><p>Their expertise in identifying potential problems early and implementing durable solutions safeguards your home&rsquo;s integrity.</p></div>

Q: For which type of foundation cracking should a structural engineer be recommended?

• <div><p>The <a href="https://www.nahb.org/">National Association of Home Builders</a> requires repair of any foundation crack of more than one quarter of an inch, although local regulations may vary. In general, any visible crack that is growing in size, allowing water through, or that you have just noticed, is a good reason to call a structural engineer. Cracks can be a sign of a <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/sinking-foundation.htm">sinking foundation</a>, so an inspection is a good idea for your peace of mind.</p></div>

Q: Are dormers load-bearing?

• <div><p>Dormers must be able to bear the load of their own construction and the added window. The style of the dormer, however, will determine where the weight loads onto your home's structure. A gable dormer bears the weight on the side walls whereas a shed dormer bears it on the front walls.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Ludington, MI

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Ludington, MI 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 Ludington, MI 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 July 07, 2025

Reviewed in July 2025
Mike from Green Built Roofing is excellent he explained everything. Was prepared with everything about my house measurements etc. Work has not been done yet but I feel I made the right choice in companies. Definitely would refer them.
Green Built Roofing, LLC
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Reviewed in June 2025
Markin Company was an excellent company to work with, their workmanship was superb, the work was completed in one day with the removal of the old roof and with a new replacement, and the crew was hard working and professional. In conclusion the whole project and staff were organized and very...
Markin Co.
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Reviewed in May 2025
Premier Roofing Exteriors replaced the shingles and some of the exterior plywood on my free standing workshop. They are very professional in all categories, from the estimator the project managers and the excellent crew. I highly recommend them for your exterior roofing/repairs.
Premier Roofing & Exteriors LLC
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Reviewed in February 2024
Ezekiel built an awesome composite deck for my home. We were very happy with his work, and we love our new outdoor space.
Keystone Contracting LLC
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Reviewed in October 2023
We want to give a big shout out to Serden. Its really hard to know that youre getting a good contractor. And we were lucky to get the best ever. From our initial bid from Dennis to the final design and construction it has been nothing but a pleasure to work with such a professional company. We...
Serden Group
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Reviewed in November 2022
The attention to details was amazing in this company. They took their time and did the project correctly. I never had an issue with them and they did numerous project in our home. I'm completely satisfied with the quality of the work and I would recommend them to anybody whose looking for a...
The Shower Guys
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Reviewed in October 2022
Mr. Bender and the crew were excellent to work with from the design to the completion of my new garage. The attention to detail was important as we wanted the finished building to match our existing homes architecture. We now have the additional storage we needed and increased the long-term...
Diversified Management Group, LLC
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Reviewed in October 2022
Excellent crew and equipment to make a difficult project easier.
T&M Custom Builders,LLC
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Reviewed in June 2022
We hired FoamWorks to insulate the roof deck of our 125 year old home. They were exceptionally accommodating as we are doing the rest of the remodel work ourselves. They communicated well, were prompt, professional and left a clean job site. We are very happy with the results! While not cheap it...
Foam Works, LLC
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Reviewed in May 2022
I was so impressed with the immediate response I received from Todd. He was in constant communication with me throughout the project. The work was completed in a timely manner. We are very pleased with the pressure washing and staining of our deck. I highly recommend GroundWorks LLC!
GroundWorks MI, LLC
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Find Structural engineers in Ludington

Robert Cowles PE

5.0(

)

Serving Ludington, MI and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2004

Offers commercial services

"Robert responded quickly to my request. He provided me with the services I needed in a timely fashion. I would recommend Robert Cowles PE for your project."

Response time1 day

12 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

Whether you’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.

Structural engineers draw structural plans, which include detailed drawings of the structural components of a home only. Complete house plans will require additional work from an architect or draftsperson, whose drawings will take the structural drawings into account. They’ll also include more details about the finishing materials and layout of a home, including everything from roofing and flooring materials to the position of furniture, light fixtures, switches, and plumbing fixtures.

Their expertise in identifying potential problems early and implementing durable solutions safeguards your home’s integrity.

The National Association of Home Builders requires repair of any foundation crack of more than one quarter of an inch, although local regulations may vary. In general, any visible crack that is growing in size, allowing water through, or that you have just noticed, is a good reason to call a structural engineer. Cracks can be a sign of a sinking foundation, so an inspection is a good idea for your peace of mind.

Dormers must be able to bear the load of their own construction and the added window. The style of the dormer, however, will determine where the weight loads onto your home's structure. A gable dormer bears the weight on the side walls whereas a shed dormer bears it on the front walls.

The Ludington, MI homeowners’ guide to structural engineering services

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

See all articles

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