Are foundation walls load-bearing?

• <div><p>Yes. Foundation walls are always load-bearing.</p></div>

Get matched with top structural engineers in Plainview, MN

Q: What’s the difference between an architect and an engineer?

• <div><p>The essential difference between an architect and an engineer is that architects typically focus more on the aesthetic design of buildings, although not without consideration for the structural integrity of the building. Engineers focus more on the structural, technical, and practical aspects of whether and how an architectural design can be built as drawn. You may need to hire both types of professionals if you&rsquo;re designing and building a new home.</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: Will a bank finance a house with foundation problems?

• <div><p>It depends on the bank and the extent of the issue. Some banks will lend against homes with minor foundation damage, but most won&rsquo;t if the issue is structural since the home acts as collateral for the mortgage. Banks that offer renovation loans might still finance a home with structural problems. More minor issues like settling cracks and intermittent problems with humidity are unlikely to stop a bank from financing. </p></div>

Q: What qualifications should a structural engineer have?

• <div><p>Proper licensing and experience in residential and commercial structural projects.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Plainview, MN

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Plainview, 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 Plainview, 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 May 08, 2026

Reviewed in May 2026
Mad City was great to work with from the start to the finish. I would highly recommend them to anyone.
Mad City Windows & Baths
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Reviewed in April 2026
Everything was done perfectly and was flexible with my schedule and at a good price. Thank you!
Z&M Services
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Reviewed in August 2025
Excellent job by the All Craft crew re-siding my house. Extremely high quality work by a steady, pleasant, professional crew that showed up every day until the job was done. It was a very pleasant experience and my house looks great.
All Craft Exteriors
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Reviewed in May 2025
We've hired GZ tree care for at least 5 different jobs. They are really skilled and experienced at managing trees. Fast if they need to be and careful if they need to protect a structure or protect the living parts of a tree. No complaints. They also listen and communicate well.
GZ Tree Care
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Reviewed in June 2023
A lot of samples to choose from a nice variety customer service was great and the installers were very professional and all 3 of the floors they did for me. Look great I would definitely hire them again
Elite Tile, Tops & Flooring LLC
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Reviewed in March 2023
Anthony, Billy and Gunner worked very efficiently on my project, thanks River Valley Remodelers.
River Valley Remodelers, LLC
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Reviewed in February 2022
Very hard worker, reliable, honest. Brook was a great guy to work with. He took down a large tree for me & pruned up several other large oaks. Excellent work!!
ABLE TREE SERVICE LLC
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Reviewed in September 2021
I hired KARV Home Solutions to clean the gutters on my house. This is something I typically would have tried to do myself, but my house is three stories in the back, which is too high for me to safely do. Kohl and his colleague had the equipment, know-how, and skill to do it correctly. They...
KARV Home Solutions
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Reviewed in May 2021
Work was done quickly. Guttering looks and works great
Millennium Seamless Gutters, LLC
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Reviewed in April 2021
We have had a very good experience with S.E.M. Construction and Repair. Paul is very knowledgeable, and he is a very good carpenter
S.E.M. Construction and Repair
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Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

The essential difference between an architect and an engineer is that architects typically focus more on the aesthetic design of buildings, although not without consideration for the structural integrity of the building. Engineers focus more on the structural, technical, and practical aspects of whether and how an architectural design can be built as drawn. You may need to hire both types of professionals if you’re designing and building a new home.

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.

It depends on the bank and the extent of the issue. Some banks will lend against homes with minor foundation damage, but most won’t if the issue is structural since the home acts as collateral for the mortgage. Banks that offer renovation loans might still finance a home with structural problems. More minor issues like settling cracks and intermittent problems with humidity are unlikely to stop a bank from financing.

Proper licensing and experience in residential and commercial structural projects.

Yes. Foundation walls are always load-bearing.

The Plainview, 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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