Get matched with top structural engineers in State College, PA

Q: Can a one-story house have a load-bearing wall?

• <div><p>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.</p></div>

Q: Why are houses built with crawl spaces?

• <div><p>The primary reason homes have crawl spaces is so the foundation can reach down below the frost line to avoid dangerous soil movement and structural damage when the ground freezes. They&rsquo;re more popular in colder climates where the ground freezes down to a few feet, and slabs are most popular in warmer areas where there is no frost line. Crawl spaces also provide a space for utility lines to run where they&rsquo;re at less of a risk of freezing.</p></div>

Q: Why are studs 16 inches apart?

• <div><p>In framing, studs are placed at 16-inch intervals to coincide with the typical spacing of wall materials such as drywall or plywood. This spacing is called &quot;on-center&quot; and is necessary for maintaining structural stability and efficient use of materials. The 16-inch spacing also helps to distribute the weight evenly across the building's structure. For those looking to cut material costs and improve energy efficiency, 24-inch stud spacing can be employed through a method called &quot;advanced framing&quot;. This requires careful planning and adherence to local building codes to ensure structural integrity. </p></div>

Q: Is a structural engineer the same as a builder?

• <div><p>No, a structural engineer is not the same as a builder. A structural engineer is an expert in all things related to the structural integrity of a building. The structural engineer is responsible for calculating the correct materials in terms of load-bearing capacity and overall structural safety. Structural engineers do not perform the actual building of the house or other structures. Rather, the builder executes the plans and designs specified by the structural engineer.</p></div>

Q: What exactly does a structural engineer do?

• <div><p>A structural engineer evaluates any structural components, like floors, foundations, walls, and roofs, to ensure they can support the structure. They also consider the soil quality in your area, potentially extreme weather conditions, and proximity to bodies of water and groundwater to ensure your building can withstand any stresses placed on it by the surrounding environment. Structural engineers work on both new and existing buildings.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in State College, PA

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in State College, 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 State College, 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 January 27, 2025

Reviewed in January 2025
I worked with John on some volunteer projects. He does excellent work and is very professional. He is very good at on-the-fly engineering.
Sette Industries LLC
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Reviewed in December 2024
I had Ashwad installed vinyl plank flooring and he did excellent job for a very reasonable. I would highly recommend him for any home projects.
Ashwath CPuttaswamygowda
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Reviewed in February 2022
Great Real solid construction done in a timely manner. I would recommend them highly
Outback Construction LLC
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Reviewed in August 2021
Boyle Engineering did an outstanding job! Their engineers were a pleasure to deal with and surprisingly affordable. Nick and his crew were very accommodating with the project’s dynamic scope of work. They will definitely be my first call for Geotechnical, Bridge, and other Structural...
Boyle Engineering, LLC
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Reviewed in December 2018
J&E Structures LLC is the best roofer by far! They removed all of the old shingles and replaced with new ones in 1 1/2 days! They threw the old materials in a bin on a lift, rather than throwing them on the ground. They took extra care of our shrubs and Nativity scene. When they were finished,...
Starway Roof Systems
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Reviewed in March 2018
I hired them for deck repair. We had an older sagging deck. They came in and took off the top boards, installed additional support structure and reattached the deck to the side of the house. Their estimate was way less than competitors. They were courteous, on-time and communicative. I will...
V-Tile
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Reviewed in April 2017
FOUR DAYS LATER…..I got in my car to go to work and when I stepped on the gas pedal, it felt like the car was hesitating to accelerate. I also heard a loud flapping noise. I thought maybe a belt got thrown off. I took the car back to have it checked and I’ll admit I was FURIOUS after spending...
Firestone Complete Auto Care Store
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Reviewed in November 2015
Goodco tried several times to get our old furnace to work consistently. The scheduler was always understanding and got someone there as soon as possible when we did not have heat. We decided to have the furnace replaced. The engineer who came to determine the size/type of unit we should buy...
Goodco Mechanical Inc
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Reviewed in April 2015
Price was below others, but no specifics as to the design or the engineering required. <br />
Joseph C Hazel Inc
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Reviewed in May 2014
<p>Immediately he encountered unexpected 10" think concrete floor which caused extensive labor to go beyond the estimate. He also dealt with structural issues in the base blocks on 2 walls that he repaired by adding structural steel members. The combination of conditions caused his estimate...
Kidd Enterprise
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Find Structural engineers in State College

NEC Solutions, LLC

5.0(

)

Serving State College, 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

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Gerhart Engineering Company

4.0(

222

)

Serving State College, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 1988

Free estimates

"Clear specific recommendations to stabilize and correct sinking foundation & leaning walls on my 100 year old solid brick garage. Will implement recommendations. Although engineering report was promised within 7 to 10 days of inspection, it was received in 25 days. Worth the wait, great overall experience."

Response time1 day

Recommended by92%of homeowners

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Gerhart Engineering Company

4.0(

162

)

Serving State College, PA and surrounding areas

In business since 1988

Free estimates

"The engineer was very friendly and professional."

Tolans drill rig for extinguishing mine fire

+23

Recommended by91%of homeowners

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Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

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 primary reason homes have crawl spaces is so the foundation can reach down below the frost line to avoid dangerous soil movement and structural damage when the ground freezes. They’re more popular in colder climates where the ground freezes down to a few feet, and slabs are most popular in warmer areas where there is no frost line. Crawl spaces also provide a space for utility lines to run where they’re at less of a risk of freezing.

In framing, studs are placed at 16-inch intervals to coincide with the typical spacing of wall materials such as drywall or plywood. This spacing is called "on-center" and is necessary for maintaining structural stability and efficient use of materials. The 16-inch spacing also helps to distribute the weight evenly across the building's structure. For those looking to cut material costs and improve energy efficiency, 24-inch stud spacing can be employed through a method called "advanced framing". This requires careful planning and adherence to local building codes to ensure structural integrity.

No, a structural engineer is not the same as a builder. A structural engineer is an expert in all things related to the structural integrity of a building. The structural engineer is responsible for calculating the correct materials in terms of load-bearing capacity and overall structural safety. Structural engineers do not perform the actual building of the house or other structures. Rather, the builder executes the plans and designs specified by the structural engineer.

A structural engineer evaluates any structural components, like floors, foundations, walls, and roofs, to ensure they can support the structure. They also consider the soil quality in your area, potentially extreme weather conditions, and proximity to bodies of water and groundwater to ensure your building can withstand any stresses placed on it by the surrounding environment. Structural engineers work on both new and existing buildings.

The State College, 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

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.
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.
Haley Nothstein
•
May 30, 2026May 30, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Main House Support Beam? [2026 Data]
A damaged main support beam can cause serious structural damage to your house. Learn how much it costs to replace a main house support beam.
Rachel Hoffman
•
Apr 5, 2026Apr 5, 2026
Structural Engineer vs. Architect: Their Differences and Why You Need Both
Do you have an upcoming construction project and aren’t sure whether hiring a structural engineer vs an architect is better? Find out here.
Em Norton
•
Apr 10, 2026Apr 10, 2026
Everything to Know About LVL Beams
What is an LVL beam? Read about LVL beams to determine if this material is safe and suitable for your project.
Kate Fann
•
Mar 19, 2026Mar 19, 2026
Who Do You Hire to Knock Down a Wall?
Looking to open up your living space and need to remove a wall? Learn who to hire to knock down a wall, whether it's load-bearing or non-load-bearing.