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

The National Association of Home Builders requires repair of any foundation crack of more than one quarter of an inch, although local regulations may vary. In general, any visible crack that is growing in size, allowing water through, or that you have just noticed, is a good reason to call a structural engineer. Cracks can be a sign of a sinking foundation, so an inspection is a good idea for your peace of mind.

Most structural engineers offer free quotes, regardless of the size of the job. For simple inspections when buying or selling a home, engineers typically charge a flat fee that may be based solely on your home’s foundation type and square footage. For larger projects, like new construction and major home renovations, an engineer will either perform an analysis of your project and site and provide you with a formal estimate, or they will do a more in-depth assessment and in-person site inspection before coming up with a per-hour or per-project cost estimate. In most cases, the estimate is free.

You should pick steel for your new support beam for a few reasons. While steel is more expensive than other materials, such as laminated veneer lumber or glulam, it offers the following benefits:

• Fire-resistant

• Unaffected by pests

• Longer-lasting

• Stronger against water damage (when galvanized against rust)