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>

Why should I pick steel for my new support beam?

• <div><p>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:</p><ul><li><p>Fire-resistant</p></li><li><p>Unaffected by pests</p></li><li><p>Longer-lasting</p></li><li><p>Stronger against water damage (when galvanized against rust)</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

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TRUSTED BY LAKEVILLE, MN HOMEOWNERS

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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Lakeville, MN

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Lakeville, MN 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 Lakeville, MN 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 26, 2024

Reviewed in July 2024
Great to deal with and performed quality work. I am a civil engineer and know what quality is.
SOUTH SUBURBAN ASPHALT
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Reviewed in September 2023
It is excellent. He improved the integrity of the structure. He utilized some of the existing structure which was still good. He tore down my old deck and built a new one by using some elements of the old deck. This saved me money. He improved the integrity and structure of the deck. He used...
Inspire Remodeling, LLC
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Reviewed in December 2022
I designed the deck and Peter engineered the build. He managed the entire project. The work crew was wonderful and the deck is beautiful. People who walk by and see my deck ask me who I had do the work. It's perfect.
XL Outdoor Living LLC
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Reviewed in October 2022
Layout of a beautiful unique backyard patio with multi-colored and multi-shaped stone. Prepped ground for good drainage and structural secure. Great job!
Walsh Group
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Reviewed in July 2022
Exceeded expectations! Andrew and his team were able to level and add supports to our floor to carry the load of a kitchen island that was part of our kitchen renovation. Flooring companies were only able to offer a band-aid fix that did not address the cause or offer a permanent solution. We...
Load Bearing Wall Company
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Reviewed in September 2021
I contacted Daniel because our neighborhood mailboxes (group of 4) were in dire need of replacing. Some of them were close to 30 years old and hardly standing, not to mention the wasps and and ants that had taken up residence in the rotted wood. Daniel fully understood what we needed. He removed...
Daniel Prachar LLC
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Reviewed in July 2021
Super friendly, cleaned the area up better than I expected, and was very respectful to the surrounding structures.
WASTED
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Reviewed in May 2021
Scott was very thorough in his report and giving us a walkthrough of the house. He explained every issue, how important it was to fix, and possible solutions. I would hire Structure Tech again in the future. It was the best inspection process I've had yet.
Structure Tech Home Inspections
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Reviewed in January 2021
Wayne Linderman provided accurate and complete engineering for each project. He was able to make changes in the work on the fly, and met the negotiated budget. I would hire Wayne again,
Linderman Engineering and Consulting
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Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

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.

A 4-inch-thick concrete slab can support around 4,000 pounds per square foot if a contractor reinforces the slab with rebar, while that same slab without reinforcements will support closer to 1,000 pounds. For the purposes of a patio, 4 inches in thickness without reinforcement should suffice unless you’re installing heavy kitchen equipment or a hot tub on it. In those cases, reinforcing your slab and sticking with 4 inches of thickness should provide plenty of strength.

The 10 10 rule describes the formula most contractors use to determine how much to charge for a job. Allowing for 10% overhead above the total projected cost to do the work and 10% profit sets a contractor up for success, even if there are delays or other problems on the project. This formula isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, but it is a ballpark figure to begin with when estimating your expenses on a job.

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.

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)

The Lakeville, MN 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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Who to Hire to Replace a Sill Plate?
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