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About us
Louis & Associates, LLC is a structural engineering consulting firm in Burke, VA since 2000. Luyi (Louis) Yan, the president and principal structural engineer, holds PE licenses in VA, MD, and DC with BS & MS degree in structural and civil engineering majors, and is the member of ASCE and NCEES. Mr. Yan had been a lead engineer in top national design firms, such as, Bechtel and PB. He has broad engineering knowledge and 25 years+ hands-on design experience in wood, masonry, steel, and concrete structures. He is familiar with current building codes, and local government's requirements for application of building permits. Louis & Associates, LLC and its long term associates would like to provide a full service of design including architecture, structural, and MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing). Louis & Associates provides following services: -Structural analysis, design, AutoCAD drafting, and building inspection/evaluation -Including residential, commercial, industrial, restaurants, schools, governmental and religious buildings -Review, approve and seal structural drawings designed by others; -Building-code compliance analysis for building permit applications; -Building renovation/expansion design: add a new addition, pup-up, attic, dormer, stair, garage, deck and sunroom, finish basement and remove existing load-bearing walls and columns; -Structural damage investigation and repairing design, such as foundation settlement, retaining failure, basement wall/floor slab cracking, floor vibration/sagging, damages caused by falling trees, fire, snow, wind and reckless construction, etc. -Retaining wall and foundation underpinning design, -Light-gauge steel (LGS) framing and insulated concrete form (ICF) wall system design -Structural evaluation and repairing design for floor sagging, wall tilting and cracking, foundation settlement, structural damages caused by water, fire, snow, wind, seismic, overloading, and reckless construction.
Business highlights
25 years of experience
Services we offer
ICF walls, RTU supporting structures. Renovation design - additions, Residential & commercial building structural design, attics. Structural inspection & redesign - removing existing load-bearing walls, beams & columns., decks, garages, retaining walls, sunrooms
Reviews
4.935 Reviews
| Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 91% | ||
| 6% | ||
| 0% | ||
| 3% | ||
| 0% |
Showing 1-25 of 35 reviews
Nathan M.
Jun 2018
Louis was easy to schedule and was at the house within a week of me calling to schedule the inspection. Louis performed the inspection, relying on me to point out areas of concern and then taking some brief measurements and photos. However, he could not diagnose a main area of concern in second floor joists due to no access to joists either from above or below, and did not provide a solution or a diagnosis despite being paid for analysis. His visit was a turning point in the quality of service. His report was substandard. He did not properly document all needed repairs, and what he wrote in the report differed from what he mentioned in person regarding a failing floor joist. Multiple attempts were made to contact Louis by phone with voicemails and by e-mail to clarify discrepancies between the report and comments during his inspection, but he failed to communicate back to me. Overall, this service was not worth the $500 that it cost.
Donna M.
Dec 2017
Louis was professional, experienced, responsive, on time, very sharing, insightful, smart and thoughtful. You could not ask for more. We explained our concerns including cracks in exterior brick work, cracks in the basement walls, drywall tape in the ceiling of the master bedroom peeling, etc. Louis walked the entire property with us and we received an education while following him from floor to floor. He is a fountain of engineering knowledge. He followed up quickly as promised with a thorough written report and provided a few suggestions of items we could follow up on. Louis was a complete delight to meet and do business with. We recommend him highly!
Patrice C.
Apr 2017
It went very well
Rebekah W.
Aug 2016
Great! Luyi was very responsive and quick. He provided top notch drawings and was even responsive to my contractor and was willing to help with the permit office. He got the work done quickly and it was top notch. He was great to work with. I would definitely recommend him to anyone and use him anytime for anything engineering wise. Great job!!!
Tim H.
Jul 2016
unknown
Eric J.
May 2016
Fine. They were here April 5th of 2016. It cost $500.
Jean S.
Nov 2015
Responded quickly to my initial call and set up a date for the assessment. Arrived on time. Spent a long time looking at the various problems and talking to me and answering my questions. For the basement water issues, gave me 2 options (indoor and outdoor); evaluated the basement wall cracks and determined no serious structural issues; looked at the deck posts and provided an interim and long-term solution (will need to replace posts).
Provided a written report a few days later.
All in all, provided the service requested on time and professionally. Only one piece of advice: The written report isn't as detailed as the information he provided verbally, so would recommend taking notes as he's talking to you, to supplement the written report.
Provided a written report a few days later.
All in all, provided the service requested on time and professionally. Only one piece of advice: The written report isn't as detailed as the information he provided verbally, so would recommend taking notes as he's talking to you, to supplement the written report.
Bradley R.
Sep 2015
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Sean P.
Jul 2015
Louis was punctual and responsive, and was very patient with my nit-picking on details on the drawings. I asked for "drawings ready to get a permit" and he provided the drawings within the time line he promised (a week or two after July 4th)
We are removing a wall from the middle of the house and Louis gave good descriptions and explanations of various options and the process on how to remove the wall.
I'll be working with a contractor to do the work, so we'll see how it goes!
We are removing a wall from the middle of the house and Louis gave good descriptions and explanations of various options and the process on how to remove the wall.
I'll be working with a contractor to do the work, so we'll see how it goes!
Ryan J.
Mar 2015
Luyi from Louis & Associates is a professional engineer who knows the code and knows the calculations--and best of all, he's not one of those sales people that other companies send out. He had no fancy equipment, just a level, measuring tape and vast knowledge of structures. He was so nice and explained what he was looking for and what he did and didn't find. And best of all, he determined that my house doesn't need repair work, but I would have trusted him if it did. I will recommend Louis & Associates to anyone needing a structural inspection or design work.
Shylon F.
Oct 2014
Upon contacting Luyi he called me back promptly and scheduled to come out the next day to perform the structural assessment of my deck/gazebo. He identified some areas that needed to be fixed/adjusted on the spot as well as provided me a structural design report via email with pictures, suggestions, and he also provided the county code references to refer to. The deck contractor/builder was able to continue the work successfully and I felt very comfortable knowing the deck was structural safe. Luyi provided the original structural design report stamped with his license number via mail so I was able to show our county inspector when they came out to inspect the deck and we passed with flying colors. The county required an original copy so the email copy didn't work for that and when I called Luyi he put it in the mail right away.
Ricardo V.
Jul 2014
unknown
Leanne H.
May 2014
I needed an emergency meeting, and he showed up the next day. He was very patient with me, since I didn't know what I was talking about, and helped us to make sense of what was going on with all the additions on the house and helped accomodate our vision. The thing that most impressed me was how he kept up with me over email and gave us updated calculations.
Bradley R.
Apr 2014
Louis came out to inspect our home to determine the structural integrity of the foundation and other areas of concern. Louis performed a very thorough analysis and identified several areas about the home and property that should be considered for upgrading or repair. The professionalism and thoroughness of the consultation was great. I would recommend Louis and Associates to others looking for advice or a second opinion.
Matthew W.
Apr 2014
unknown
Sarah K.
Feb 2014
We are in the midst of remodel and noticed some significant cracking where supporting walls had been removed. Although our plans were engineer reviewed, that person was no longer in the area. I decided to hire a structural engineer to review and I am so glad that Mr. Yan was available. Because we could not continue work until things were inspected, I was pressed for time. Called him monday, he came tuesday and very swiftly realized that our contractors had not put in any of the specified beams and that the house was structurally at risk. By that Friday he had provided us with a new plan for installing supports in 4 separate areas and noticed an additional area that required support that was not on the original construction document.
Throughout this process, he was very calm, thorough, and responsive. His pricing seems very fair--400.00 for the initial visit (he was there 1.5 hours) and 75/hour for the plans. So fair, in fact, that our contractor is thinking about using him on future projects!
I would not hesitate to use him again or to recommend him to others.
Throughout this process, he was very calm, thorough, and responsive. His pricing seems very fair--400.00 for the initial visit (he was there 1.5 hours) and 75/hour for the plans. So fair, in fact, that our contractor is thinking about using him on future projects!
I would not hesitate to use him again or to recommend him to others.
Ruth F.
Dec 2013
Gave us an opinion on the structural problems with the ceiling of our kitchen/ floor of bathroom. Prepared engineering drawings for us by our contractor to allow us to remove some supporting walls and open up our kitchen space. His original description of the two phases of the work was very clear, giving us options about the level of detail and certification that we wanted. Once we got in touch, he was efficient and professional -- we were able to prepare for the visit by sharing photographs and a specific description of our questions by e-mail. It was a little difficult to reach him at first -- turned out he was attending some "continuing education" courses for structural engineers. Highly recommend him.
Rachel B.
Oct 2013
He arrived at property in response to my request due to several noticable cracks that appeared throughout the home. He explained the services that he would provide, walked through the home taking pictures and measuring. Performed the inspection from top to bottom and inside and outside. When finished let me know what to expect and by when. I received a professional report detailing his observations, probable cause and repair recommendations earlier than expected. I feel very comfortable with his knowledge and experience of the matter and will move forward with his recommendations. Thank you.
Kourosh B.
Oct 2013
Very professional and very experienced in the subject matter of building engineering. I highly recommend Louis.
Sharon H.
Sep 2013
He was very responsive to set up a time with us that was convenient. We compared with a number of other engineers and found his price to be the best for the work and for his experience. We wanted someone who was more than a home inspector given it was the support beams for our foundation. He was very thorough. He made one suggestion for a minor repair to one of the support posts that will not be too costly, and gave us a good report for everything else, which put us at ease. He will not try to sell you services because all he does is give you an evaluation of the structure. We were very pleased.
Dennis B.
Sep 2013
Louis arrived early an we reviewed the foundation crack issues. We walked around the building and Louis gave me detailed information about the dynamics of the type of foundation walls I have and type characteristics of the material. He also informed me of common building construction methods required for the walls. He identified references he uses to guide his evaluation and are required by regulation. As we reviewed the condition of the concrete form foundation he showed me his engineering credential and described his experience and background as a structural engineer and his current role as a college professor of engineering. Louis described my foundation condition as a typical condition where the 59 foot wall did not have expansion joints. For my wall length the concrete should have incorporated two expansion joints evenly spaced from one end to the other. As it turns out the cracks on both sides of the building are in the same location the expansion joints would have been placed if the builder would have installed them. Louis explained that many builder do not put the expansion joints in to avoid the potential of water seeping through. As is stands the cracks are not a structural problem. Louis certified the structure to be sound and the cracks are the result of the curing of the concrete over time. He recommended hiring a contractor to fill the cracks with flexible sealer and apply a flexible outer material over the cracks on the outer wall to prevent water seeping into the wall. I was fortunate to investigate the problem before I developed a water leak into the finished basement area. Louis included all the details and recommendations in his formal certified engineering report which will serve to show the structure is sound in the event I sell the property. Thanks to Louis for the additional engineering instruction and the extra advice about getting the water from drain gutters away from the foundation.
Peggy B.
Jul 2013
Louis Yan arrived on time and was extremely professional. He is a civil engineer by education and training and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Virginia, Maryland, and elsewhere. He first looked at the outside of our house and noted and photographed numerous cracks and evidence of settling due to water drainage onto our property. He then thoroughly inspected our house from attic to basement, again taking photos of cracks in the walls and ceiling, and assessing a slightly sloping floor.
When he was finished, he gave us a verbal report of his findings and assured us that most of the cracks in the house (including one that we thought was a serious problem with a load-bearing wall) were more cosmetic in nature and that the house still was quite sound. He did recommend that we regrade part of the backyard near the house where the water drainage was causing settling problems at one corner of the house.
Louis' inspection took about 90 or so minutes on a late-Friday afternoon, and he delivered a written report with photos and recommendations by early morning the following Wednesday. As mentioned, he was professional and personable, very responsive to our questions, and thorough in his work. We were pleased to work with him.
When he was finished, he gave us a verbal report of his findings and assured us that most of the cracks in the house (including one that we thought was a serious problem with a load-bearing wall) were more cosmetic in nature and that the house still was quite sound. He did recommend that we regrade part of the backyard near the house where the water drainage was causing settling problems at one corner of the house.
Louis' inspection took about 90 or so minutes on a late-Friday afternoon, and he delivered a written report with photos and recommendations by early morning the following Wednesday. As mentioned, he was professional and personable, very responsive to our questions, and thorough in his work. We were pleased to work with him.
Traci E.
May 2013
He was very professional. He took his time and looked over what I wanted done. He took precise measurements and provided us with detail drawings for our wall to be moved. The only thing I was a bit confused with the cost from our original email but he clearly explained it to me. I think sometimes email doesn't explain what is happening. The architect that I used said it should cost 500 but after Louis explanation I trusted him completed.
Sarah H.
Apr 2013
I called Louis on Thursday afternoon, and while he originally suggested
coming early next week, since I was in a rush he was willing to come out
that evening (after his last job) at around 6pm. I was really impressed
with his willingness to come out so quickly.
He ran a bit late
with his prior client, but let me know that, and arrived promptly at the
revised time. He was very professional and got right to business
sketching out my window and making the inspection. We discussed my plans
in detail, and looked at the wall from both the inside and the outside.
We discussed several options (including possibilities for installing a
wheelchair ramp), and I didn't feel rushed. He even was willing to take a
look at an unrelated wall in another room of my house that had been
cracking recently to verify that it was nothing to be concerned about.
He was very knowledgeable about everything we discussed, and was clear
about things he needed to look up to be sure of (e.g. some of the ADA
rules for ramps)
He told me on Thursday that he would work over
the weekend to get me the report by Monday (which was already a great
turn-around time), but he actually sent it to me on Saturday. So in the
end, $400 wasn't cheap for a half hour meeting and however long it took
him to draw up the report, but it was well worth it. I had called a
couple of other engineers prior to Louis, but he was the first one to
pick up and I was impressed with him throughout the process. I would
recommend him without hesitation.
coming early next week, since I was in a rush he was willing to come out
that evening (after his last job) at around 6pm. I was really impressed
with his willingness to come out so quickly.
He ran a bit late
with his prior client, but let me know that, and arrived promptly at the
revised time. He was very professional and got right to business
sketching out my window and making the inspection. We discussed my plans
in detail, and looked at the wall from both the inside and the outside.
We discussed several options (including possibilities for installing a
wheelchair ramp), and I didn't feel rushed. He even was willing to take a
look at an unrelated wall in another room of my house that had been
cracking recently to verify that it was nothing to be concerned about.
He was very knowledgeable about everything we discussed, and was clear
about things he needed to look up to be sure of (e.g. some of the ADA
rules for ramps)
He told me on Thursday that he would work over
the weekend to get me the report by Monday (which was already a great
turn-around time), but he actually sent it to me on Saturday. So in the
end, $400 wasn't cheap for a half hour meeting and however long it took
him to draw up the report, but it was well worth it. I had called a
couple of other engineers prior to Louis, but he was the first one to
pick up and I was impressed with him throughout the process. I would
recommend him without hesitation.
Aaron T.
Mar 2013
Mr. Yan was very professional and thorough. He listened to my concerns, then looked through the entire house double-checking everything possible in the construction of the house that could relate to the observed cracks. He also re-did the structural calculations to re-assure me that the floor joists were properly sized and spaced. His written report followed promptly after his visit.
Licensing
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FAQ
Louis & Associates LLC is currently rated 4.9 overall out of 5.
No, Louis & Associates LLC does not offer free project estimates.
No, Louis & Associates LLC does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, Louis & Associates LLC does not offer a senior discount.
No, Louis & Associates LLC does not offer emergency services.
No, Louis & Associates LLC does not offer warranties.