"We recently completed a project with Lallygone to remove 3 columns from my basement. The entire experience from scheduling a consultation with the engineer to completion of the job was seamless. The team is knowledgeable, courteous and very professional. I strongly recommend them for replacing lally columns or any structural improvements in existing or new homes. George thanks for your honest recommendations, Chris for your in-depth inspection and detailed explanation & Lena for managing it end to end.. thanks for the wonderful experience."
"It was a pleasure working with Mirek on this project. He did an excellent job listening to my ideas, but also had his input on his own vision. You can tell heâ s a very experienced architect. Iâ m glad my contractor recommended him and I will definitely be using him in the future again!"
"Joe and team at Three D Concepts did a phenomenal job. Very professional and very knowledgeable in his field. Joe provided insight and ideas that I didn't even think of when starting the project. He was also very familiar with my township and the surrounding areas, which is important whenever doing a home extension. Knowing how to navigate the various zoning laws is so important with something like this. I searched around quite a bit for a qualified architect who is trust worthy. Many wanted to charge a percentage of the construction job. In my opinion, the cost of tile that I choose, shouldn't dictate my architectural costs. Joe provided a flat fee quote upfront. This was a breathe of fresh air and took a lot of uncertainty out of the process. Finally, the quality of work was top notch. We absolutely love the plans that he put together for us. Our dream home will now finally become a reality thanks to Joe and Three D Concepts."
"Cigano identified a number of important changes to my architectural drawings to strengthen my structure (a car port). The changes recommended and implemented to my plans ensured my Town would issue a building permit. The Town had rejected my initial drawings and required its review and approval by a structural engineer or architect. Cigano really came through and its owner was easy to work with and highly professional. I would highly recommend Cigano."
"I had a very good experience working with Vince. He did the drawings for a master bedroom suite addition to my home, as well as an addition to our ktichen for a breakfast/dining nook. He was very thorough and my contractor had no problems with the drawings, so far. Hopefully, the work will be starting in the coming weeks."
"I am having a full master bath and kitchen remodel done with new layouts in both rooms and knocking out a wall. Evolution worked with me to quickly get a drawing done of the new layouts so that the contractor could get started on the project. They made sure to include me in the process so that the design would be done exactly as my wife and I envisioned. They communicated effectively throughout the process and were always courteous and professional. I recommend them to anyone with drafting needs."
Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts
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
The early stages of building a house are harder than the later stages; laying the foundation and framing the house are two of the most challenging steps. However, it varies for everyone. Some people have difficulty installing HVAC, plumbing, and electricity, while others find it harder to plan the house and secure the necessary permits.
The depth of any foundation style depends on your climate and how deep the frost line is, as building code requires that the footers of a foundation—which are built into a monolithic slab—sit at least a foot below the frost line. At the southern tip of Florida, for example, a monolithic slab foundation would only need to sit 12 inches under the soil at the widest parts. On some parts of the Canadian border, the frost line is 100 inches, which would mean a minimum of 112 inches, which is prohibitively deep for a monolithic slab.
The easiest way to tell if a wall is load bearing is to check if it’s an exterior wall or if it runs perpendicular to the joists above and below it (or parallel to beams). Exterior walls are almost always load-bearing, and walls that run under beams or parallel to them are also usually load-bearing. There are exceptions to these rules, and walls that don’t fit into these categories can still be load-bearing. If you’re unsure, hire a structural engineer to look at your home to assess whether or not the wall is structural.
Yes, a one-story house can have a load-bearing wall. The load-bearing walls in a single-story home are usually the exterior walls. If the house has a basement with exposed walls, the arrangement of the beams can help indicate what walls are load-bearing.
The Upper Saddle River, NJ 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 New York, NY.
Find out the average beam installation cost in New York, NY. Learn what you can expect to pay for structural support beams and plan your home renovation.
Find out the average blueprints cost in New York, NY. Learn what you can expect to pay for local architectural drafting services and get your project started.
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.
