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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.

Yes, you can build over a stump if the roots are no longer alive. Living roots will continue to grow and may damage your new construction over time. Similarly, you should also remove rotting stumps because they may continue to attract pests and even cause new structures (especially those made from wood) to decompose as well.

It’s possible to drill into an LVL beam, but you should always avoid it. LVL beams are major structural components of your home, and drilling into them can weaken them and lead to cracking over time. If you need to drill into an LVL beam, consult a structural engineer. They’ll know the bit size, depth, and directionality that’s safe to use when drilling.

Structural engineers specialize in all aspects of a building’s structural integrity, including the foundation. Foundation engineering is a critical part of structural engineering, so structural engineers are experts in foundation design. Many foundation repair companies either have a structural engineer on staff or one they work closely with, so be sure you look for that when deciding who to hire for foundation repair.