Is LVL more affordable than steel I-beams?

• <div><p>Yes, an LVL beam is more affordable than the <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-steel-i-beam-cost.htm">cost of a steel I-beam</a>, totaling between $50 and $200 per linear foot as opposed to the $100 to $400 per linear foot you’d pay for a steel I-beam. Not only is the wood material more affordable than steel, but it’s also more similar to traditional wooden beams and doesn’t require as much retrofitting to connect joists. </p></div>

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>

Get matched with top structural engineers in Bentleyville, PA

Q: What do structural engineers look for when doing an inspection?

• <div><p>Structural engineers typically conduct inspections during a home sale or renovation, looking for signs of structural damage in various structures throughout the building, such as load-bearing walls, joists, beams, roofing trusses, foundations, and chimneys. Some of the warning signs that structural engineers check for include:</p><ul><li><p>Dry rot</p></li><li><p>Infestation</p></li><li><p>Shifting or<a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/quarter-inch-crack-my-foundation-major-concern.htm"> cracking foundations</a></p></li><li><p>Erosion</p></li><li><p>Water damage</p></li><li><p>Sagging, shifting, or damaged walls, ceilings, or roofing support</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

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: What factors affect assembly costs?

• <div><p>Costs depend on furniture type, size, complexity, and whether additional modifications are needed.</p></div>

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your structural engineering project in Bentleyville, PA?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Bentleyville, PA

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Bentleyville, PA 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 Bentleyville, PA 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 06, 2023

Reviewed in April 2023
Gary was very professional and knowledgeable about his field I would definitely use him again in the future if we needed anything structural done. Thanks Gary
Gary J. Miller
Request a quote
Reviewed in May 2022
Johnson Masonry Restoration did an exemplary job rebuilding a block wall, which was caving in the entrance to my basement in my home. They completely dismantled the old wall and built a new one to replace it. For the second job, they completed a new drainage system down my walkway which now...
Johnson Masonry Restoration LLC
Request a quote
Reviewed in April 2022
Great company to work with. I had seamless gutters and all the fascia boards and trim, capped. The project manager, Devan, answered all my questions and let me know what to expect. Aaron, who lead the crew doing the work, was very professional. Other than how wonderful my house looks now, they...
Home Genius Exteriors
Request a quote
Reviewed in November 2020
The guy did not check all the water lines which caused extensive water damage after the house was purchased and flew a drone to check the roof without actually checking or testing the structural integrity at all. Complete waste of time and money.
Pillar To Post Zamiska Team
Request a quote
Reviewed in February 2018
I was told that the extraction of data was successfully accomplished. I have paid Computer Comfort for services to extract the data from the original hard drive. The extracted data was replaced on the other computer on February 2, 2018. To date, there is lost, missing, and/or inaccessible data....
Computer Comfort
Request a quote
Reviewed in May 2014
Exceptional. Mr. Wattelet and his staff provided quality work and service in a timely manner. They cleaned up at the end of each day. There was no damage to any of our items or property. Mr. Wattelet was even willing to assist us in a few addtional requests while he was here which we very...
M L Wattelet Landscaping & Contracting
Request a quote
Reviewed in May 2014
Excellent quality and craftsmanship. Work was performed as promised and on time. Mike, John, and Lincoln were very professional and took care to match the existing structures so that you cannot tell that the new doors and molding are not part of the original house construction. They were very...
Top Quality Contractors
Request a quote
Reviewed in April 2014
This review is regarding ACA Construction AKA Bryan Scott Berkich. My wife and I contacted ACA construction in July of 2013. We wanted to complete a second story addition and after several estimates Mr. Scott Berkich came in with the best price and seemed like a very knowledgeable contractor. We...
ACA Construction
Request a quote
Reviewed in February 2014
I had a problem with my engine. They diagnosed it as a leaky cylinder. They come back and told me I need another engine. They wanted to sell me an engine with 190,000 fpr $3.000 or a new one for $1,000 more. They are a schyster. I can pick that same engine up for $7-800. They wanted to sell...
C HARPER Honda
Request a quote

Find Structural engineers in Bentleyville

Serving Bentleyville, PA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2015

Emergency services offered

Small jobs welcome

"First time Iâ d ever hired a structural engineer, so canâ t say."

Response time9 hrs

6 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by93%of homeowners

Request Quote

JL & A Structural Engineers

4.0(

)

Serving Bentleyville, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 1970

Emergency services offered

"John has a heart and enjoys his work and it shows. Everything that job required john was always 1 step ahead of project fast and efficient"

Response time2 days

Recommended by85%of homeowners

Serving Bentleyville, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Dee is a solid guy and excellent engineer. My project required him to design and create the engineering specs to navigate our town's permitting process. His thoroughness exceeded my expectations. I recommend and trust Dee on any future project."

+10

Response time7 hrs

Recommended by54%of homeowners

Request Quote

Gerhart Engineering Company

4.0(

222

)

Serving Bentleyville, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 1988

Free estimates

"First time using Gerhart Engineering. Will use again."

Response time1 day

Recommended by92%of homeowners

Request Quote

Gerhart Engineering Company

4.0(

162

)

Serving Bentleyville, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 1988

Free estimates

"Tim, is extremely Knowledgeable in his field. He showed up on time and he was pleasant and nice to work with. Tim put together drawings for a retainer wall I had built. I was very pleased with the drawing. He certified the drawing and signed off. Tim, thanks a lot. I highly recommend Tim if you need an experience Engineer that deals with retainer walls. Wanda. Langhorne, PA -Residence Customer."

Tolans drill rig for extinguishing mine fire

+23

Recommended by91%of homeowners

Serving Bentleyville, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 1992

"Ed responded to our request for a structural engineer consult very quickly, and was able to come out and give us a consult within 2 hours (and on a Saturday). His assessment of the detached garage walls of a home we are about to buy provided both us and the sellers much more peace of mind in moving forward with the deal; he provided options that would likely be more permanent (which is what we wanted) and cost less to repair, and represented the objective opinion we needed. All the contractors we had talked to were just confusing and upsetting us with differing recommendations and cost estimates. We highly recommend Ed Brenkus..."

Recommended by19%of homeowners

Request Quote

Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

Structural engineers typically conduct inspections during a home sale or renovation, looking for signs of structural damage in various structures throughout the building, such as load-bearing walls, joists, beams, roofing trusses, foundations, and chimneys. Some of the warning signs that structural engineers check for include:

Dry rot
Infestation
Shifting or cracking foundations
Erosion
Water damage
Sagging, shifting, or damaged walls, ceilings, or roofing support

Yes, an LVL beam is more affordable than the cost of a steel I-beam, totaling between $50 and $200 per linear foot as opposed to the $100 to $400 per linear foot you’d pay for a steel I-beam. Not only is the wood material more affordable than steel, but it’s also more similar to traditional wooden beams and doesn’t require as much retrofitting to connect joists.

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.

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.

Costs depend on furniture type, size, complexity, and whether additional modifications are needed.

The Bentleyville, PA 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

Dan Simms
•
May 30, 2026May 30, 2026
How Much Does a Structural Engineer Cost to Hire? [2026 Data]
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.
Alison Kasch
•
Apr 4, 2026Apr 4, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Load-Bearing Wall? [2026 Data]
Do you have a load-bearing wall standing between you and your projects that you want to remove? Learn about the cost of removing a load-bearing wall.
Lyle Hendriks
•
May 5, 2026May 5, 2026
How Much Does Beam Installation Cost [2026 Data]
Beam installation costs are an important consideration if you’re building a home or doing renovations. Learn about average costs and factors in this guide.
Em Norton
•
May 5, 2026May 5, 2026
How to Hire a Structural Engineer: Complete Guide
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.
Dan Simms
•
Apr 9, 2026Apr 9, 2026
What Is a Structural Engineer and Do You Need One?
Learn what a structural engineer is, what they do, when you might need to hire one for your home project, and how much they charge.
Rachel Hoffman
•
Mar 6, 2026Mar 6, 2026
Structural Inspection vs. Home Inspection: Which Is Right for You?
Knowing the difference between structural inspections vs. home inspections is easy with this convenient guide. Learn when you might get each one done.