Do I need to hire a structural engineer for a home inspection?

• <div><p>Most lenders and homeowner’s insurance companies don’t mandate a structural engineer’s inspection, so in most cases, it’s not required. However, it’s a good idea to have one done anyway to ensure you know what you’re buying. You can use the report to carry out repairs after closing or even to negotiate the sale price before closing. </p></div>

How do you choose a residential structural engineer?

• <div><p>The process of hiring a structural engineer starts by finding reliable professionals in your area and comparing quotes from at least three of them. From there, you can narrow down your selection by asking some leading questions:</p><ul><li><p>Do you have experience working in my specific area?</p></li><li><p>Do you have professional indemnity insurance?</p></li><li><p>What will your structural report cover?</p></li><li><p>Do you charge a flat fee for a structural report or by the hour?</p></li><li><p>How long have you been in business?</p></li><li><p>Do you have a list of customer references?</p></li></ul><p></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 Spencer, NY

Q: What does a structural engineer's report include?

• <div><p>A structural engineer's report provides a professional assessment of a property's structural condition. It typically includes an evaluation of the foundation, key structural elements like roof trusses, floor joists, studs, beams, and rafters. The report will also contain a detailed description of the engineer's findings, often supported by photographs, and provide recommendations to correct any identified issues. Depending on the scope of the inspection, it might also include an assessment of property drainage, potential issues from environmental conditions like extreme weather or tree placement, and an estimated time and cost for any recommended repairs.</p></div>

Q: Do I need to hire a structural engineer for a home inspection?

• <div><p>Most lenders and homeowner&rsquo;s insurance companies don&rsquo;t mandate a structural engineer&rsquo;s inspection, so in most cases, it&rsquo;s not required. However, it&rsquo;s a good idea to have one done anyway to ensure you know what you&rsquo;re buying. You can use the report to carry out repairs after closing or even to negotiate the sale price before closing. </p></div>

Q: What are the key elements of quality framing work?

• <div><p>Accurate measurements, sturdy materials, and seamless integration with other structures.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Spencer, NY

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Spencer, NY 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 Spencer, NY 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 April 28, 2026

Reviewed in April 2026
I found the right construction company! Before I retired I was in the construction business for 30+ years. The work this company did for me at my house is top notch. They were great in every respect. Expert at what they do, amazing attention to detail, clean up after themselves every day, and...
Quality Roofing LLC
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Reviewed in April 2025
I couldn?t be happier with the deck build we had done! From start to finish, the team was professional, communicative, and clearly took pride in their work. They helped us design something that perfectly suited our backyard and lifestyle, and the finished product blew us away. Every board is...
Modern Building & Contracting Inc.
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Reviewed in December 2023
This is a great company to work with. Our project involved tricky design and construction issues and was complicated by the fact that there were certain elements that we were determined not to change. Upscale worked with us to develop a vision and a specific plan - from the major elements down...
Upscale Remodeling Corp
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Reviewed in September 2022
Chris and Zack did a great job - demo and drywall installation in our attic despite the 100 year old framing.. Highly recommend them.
Advanced Maintenance and Remodeling
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Reviewed in July 2022
Brad Freeman Construction exceeded our every expectation. They came promptly to give the quote on replacing our roof, showed up on the day, bright and early. Phone calls were always answered or returned within hours. The crew worked like wildfire, very efficiently, carefully and finished the...
Brad Freeman and Son Construction, LLC
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Reviewed in December 2021
Synopsis: When Lakeside Kanga Roofers totally botched the job of replacing 4 flat roofs and I complained they told me that they would not present me with a plan to fix it until I paid in full at which point they would have no incentive to fix it. They then called me to give me 15 hours notice...
Lakeside Kanga Roof
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Reviewed in January 2021
Took a 16 year old for $225, O2 sensors had been changed twice, (we told him that) instead of looking further into it. He changed them a 3rd time. When check engine light came back on, he told us that there was multiple codes on. Took it to another garage to find out what was going on, it was a...
KEV'S CAR CARE
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Reviewed in September 2019
We placed a service call through Home Adivisor to secure bids to replace the main water line from the curb to the house. Titan Plumbing won the contract. Jimmy, the owner, was very responsive and had superb customer service. The team worked diligently to ensure that there was minimal affect to...
Titan Plumbing, Sewer, & Drain, LLC
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Reviewed in June 2018
DP Roofing is outstanding. Dustin and his team are knowledgeable, competent and reliable. They show up on time and do excellent work. They communicate costs and estimates clearly and in plain language, and they quickly communicate any changes in estimates as soon as they happen. With DP, my...
DP Roofing & Construction
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Reviewed in October 2014
We're renovating a 1910 house in downtown Ithaca and our structural engineer found some weak spots in the old stone foundation. Also, the dirt crawlspace was horribly musty and mice-infested. The whole house smelled like dirt. Midstate was prompt to reply and come out to the property and then...
Midstate Basement Authorities, Inc
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Find Structural engineers in Spencer

Thornton Engineering, PC

5.0(

)

Serving Spencer, NY and surrounding areas

In business since 1960

"very positive. he was candid and knowledgable"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Northshore Engineering and Design

5.0(

)

Serving Spencer, NY and surrounding areas

In business since 2012

Credit card accepted

"Very good quality work, custom design, knows the industry practice well. Happy with the final design."

Response time11 hrs

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Keystone Associates Architects, Engineers and Surveyors, LLC

New to Angi

Serving Spencer, NY and surrounding areas

Credit card accepted

Offers commercial services

Keystone Associates Architects, Engineers and Surveyors, LLC (Keystone) is a multi-disciplined design firm headquartered in Binghamton, New York, with branch offices in Cortland and Monticello, New York. Keystone was established in 1993 and has provided professional design services for a region encompassing all of Upstate New York, as well as Northeastern Pennsylvania.\n

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Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

A structural engineer's report provides a professional assessment of a property's structural condition. It typically includes an evaluation of the foundation, key structural elements like roof trusses, floor joists, studs, beams, and rafters. The report will also contain a detailed description of the engineer's findings, often supported by photographs, and provide recommendations to correct any identified issues. Depending on the scope of the inspection, it might also include an assessment of property drainage, potential issues from environmental conditions like extreme weather or tree placement, and an estimated time and cost for any recommended repairs.

Most lenders and homeowner’s insurance companies don’t mandate a structural engineer’s inspection, so in most cases, it’s not required. However, it’s a good idea to have one done anyway to ensure you know what you’re buying. You can use the report to carry out repairs after closing or even to negotiate the sale price before closing.

Accurate measurements, sturdy materials, and seamless integration with other structures.

The process of hiring a structural engineer starts by finding reliable professionals in your area and comparing quotes from at least three of them. From there, you can narrow down your selection by asking some leading questions:

Do you have experience working in my specific area?
Do you have professional indemnity insurance?
What will your structural report cover?
Do you charge a flat fee for a structural report or by the hour?
How long have you been in business?
Do you have a list of customer references?

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.

The Spencer, NY homeowners’ guide to structural engineering services

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