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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Bethera, SC

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Bethera, SC 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 Bethera, SC 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 December 18, 2025

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Avatar for ACE Preferred Inspections, Inc

ACE Preferred Inspections, Inc

3.46(
13
)

ACE Preferred Inspections, Inc

3.46(
13
)
Customers say: Super punctual
28 years of experience

Additional address 447B Jessen Ln, Charleston, SC 29492. Additional phone number (877) 832 0455

"DO NOT LET THEM IN YOUR HOME WITHOUT PROOF OF LIABILITY INSURANCE! BEWARE! This company and its inspector, C. Scott Burns, do not follow accepted home inspection standards and caused thousands of dollars in damage to my property during a home inspection. Despite providing pictures, documents, and fulfilling every request, the owner, Jeffery Donaldson, refused to pay for the damage. He only communicated through a generic customer support email and repeatedly refused to identify himself. A quick search of court records in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties will show that he has been involved in numerous lawsuits. I have been forced to seek legal action as well. STAY AS FAR AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY AS POSSIBLE. If you are buying or selling a home in the Charleston, SC area, ask who the inspector is and ensure you get a copy of their insurance policy before allowing them into your home. They will refuse to repair any damage caused by their incompetent inspectors. I am extremely disappointed in this company and its owner, Jeffery Donaldson. I will never let this shady business near any of my homes or my clients’ homes. I want to warn everyone to avoid the same painful process I and many others have experienced. There are many other reputable, knowledgeable, and well-trained inspection companies in the Charleston area, such as Cardinal, Hometeam Inspections, or literally ANYONE ELSE besides ACE Preferred Inspections."

Derrick B on February 2025

Additional address 447B Jessen Ln, Charleston, SC 29492. Additional phone number (877) 832 0455

"DO NOT LET THEM IN YOUR HOME WITHOUT PROOF OF LIABILITY INSURANCE! BEWARE! This company and its inspector, C. Scott Burns, do not follow accepted home inspection standards and caused thousands of dollars in damage to my property during a home inspection. Despite providing pictures, documents, and fulfilling every request, the owner, Jeffery Donaldson, refused to pay for the damage. He only communicated through a generic customer support email and repeatedly refused to identify himself. A quick search of court records in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties will show that he has been involved in numerous lawsuits. I have been forced to seek legal action as well. STAY AS FAR AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY AS POSSIBLE. If you are buying or selling a home in the Charleston, SC area, ask who the inspector is and ensure you get a copy of their insurance policy before allowing them into your home. They will refuse to repair any damage caused by their incompetent inspectors. I am extremely disappointed in this company and its owner, Jeffery Donaldson. I will never let this shady business near any of my homes or my clients’ homes. I want to warn everyone to avoid the same painful process I and many others have experienced. There are many other reputable, knowledgeable, and well-trained inspection companies in the Charleston area, such as Cardinal, Hometeam Inspections, or literally ANYONE ELSE besides ACE Preferred Inspections."

Derrick B on February 2025

Avatar for SMART Engineering, LLC

SMART Engineering, LLC

No reviews yet

SMART Engineering, LLC

No reviews yet
Free onsite estimate

SMART Engineering is a client-focused, structural firm that specializes in residential design, consultations, renovations, additions, remodels, repairs, structural inspections/assessments, and more. It is owned and operated by Steven J. Slaughter Jr. who is a licensed professional engineer (PE) in the states of South Carolina and Georgia. He has 10+ years of combined experience in civil/structural and aerospace engineering which has allowed him to work on very complex designs and projects that require simplified, efficient, and cost-effective solutions. Simple. Measured. Achievable. Reliable. Timely.

SMART Engineering is a client-focused, structural firm that specializes in residential design, consultations, renovations, additions, remodels, repairs, structural inspections/assessments, and more. It is owned and operated by Steven J. Slaughter Jr. who is a licensed professional engineer (PE) in the states of South Carolina and Georgia. He has 10+ years of combined experience in civil/structural and aerospace engineering which has allowed him to work on very complex designs and projects that require simplified, efficient, and cost-effective solutions. Simple. Measured. Achievable. Reliable. Timely.

Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

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's safe to assume that all exterior walls are load-bearing, or at least have load-bearing characteristics. Some older homes feature porches or bump-outs that don't rest on the home's foundation. However, they still must carry the weight of the roof section they support. Walls containing floor-to-ceiling glass or other non-structural elements must use post and beam configurations to meet load-bearing criteria.

You should avoid drilling or cutting into load-bearing beams because removing material will weaken it and increase the risk of structural damage or even collapse. If you do need to drill into a load-bearing beam, speak with a structural engineer first to discuss where it’s safest to drill and the width and depth of the bit that’s safe to use.

If you’re building new construction or adding onto your existing home, hiring a structural engineer is not only worth it but it’s probably required by your local building department. Structural engineers will ensure you aren’t making your home unsafe in the building process, which is crucial from a safety perspective but also a legal one. It’s also worth hiring a structural engineer if you’re making changes to structural components, like removing a load-bearing wall.

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 Bethera, SC homeowners’ guide to structural engineering services

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