"Mr. Ohi came to our home to inspect the foundation and support walls prior to us doing home renovation work. He did a thorough visual inspection and level measurements and located some small issues, but, thankfully, recommended that no foundation work be done. Mr. Ohi was pleasant to be with and knowledgeable about residential support structures."
"Having major remodel on lower level. Contractor tried to rope me into major work (and project delay) suggesting normal cracks on cinder block walls indicated a foundation issue. When I pushed back, he put project on hold stating I needed a structural engineer to certify. I called the first two people on home advisor locally and Omid got back to me in 2-3 min, was at my house within an hour and delivered a certified report within 3-4 hours. He listened to the situation and spoke with my contractor to hear his assessment before beginning his assessment measures. He directly pushed back on what contractor stated and provided simple solution for one crack that was more than hairline. Report was meticulous, he spoke with contractor directly, and saved this project. It was more affordable than what was suggested on average costs. While I couldn’t divorce from the unethical contractor mid project—I would have been stuck with no out without the work of Omid!"
"Bashir and Noorullah were a pleasure to work with. They were very detailed, providing a full set of plans to have a load-bearing wall removed in my home. Bashir was attentive and he and Noorullah answered all my questions. I would have no problem providing a strong recommendation for Structurist for any structural engineering needs especially when it comes to your home."
"Daniel was very helpful providing a structural safety/soundness inspection after a tree fell on our house. He arrived on time, took his time and was thorough, and his report was detailed with pictures. I've since planned to hire Dadson Consulting for another job."
"We have been working with Todd Willoughby since early in 2018. We had purchased a piece of land along the Chesapeake Bay and wanted to build a small but thoughtfully designed contemporary garden cottage for our retirement. After speaking with a number of architects we chose Todd and we have been very happy with that decision. Over several months, we worked have closely with him through the several design phases, culminating in a very complete set of construction documents, that we are now using for bidding. Throughout the process, we have found Todd to be personable, smart, perceptive and creative. He has been able to translate our ideas into working drawings that one of the contractors noted was called the most detailed he has ever seen. Todd has captured our vision for an environmentally friendly house with solar and rainwater harvesting. We have met with him many times talk through the many details, choices, and constraints you inevitably face. He has done all the coordination needed with the other specialties the engineers, surveyor, and solar energy firm. Having enjoyed this first part of the collaboration, we are hiring Todd to help us through the bid evaluations and construction admin phases. The best recommendation would be our actual house, but until we get there we can say Todd has done an excellent and professional job getting us this far, and we look forward to working with him through to a completed project."
I am a licensed Professional Engineer providing structural engineering services for residential and small commercial projects. I work with homeowners, contractors, and design professionals to help move projects through the permit process by providing structural calculations, drawings, evaluations, and engineering letters as needed.\n\nIn-person structural inspections are available in Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia. Remote structural consulting is available in Delaware and North Carolina.\n\nTypical projects include load-bearing wall removal, beam and header sizing, additions, decks, foundation concerns, and framing evaluations. My goal is to provide practical, code-compliant structural solutions that are clear, efficient, and tailored to the project.
Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts
The 10 10 rule describes the formula most contractors use to determine how much to charge for a job. Allowing for 10% overhead above the total projected cost to do the work and 10% profit sets a contractor up for success, even if there are delays or other problems on the project. This formula isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, but it is a ballpark figure to begin with when estimating your expenses on a job.
The best way to determine if ceiling cracks are structural is to hire a ceiling contractor to inspect the cracks and provide a professional opinion. That said, you might be able to make an educated guess based on the size and appearance of the crack. Larger cracks, cracks accompanied by sagging or discoloration, and cracks that travel from the ceiling down the walls are all signs of structural issues.
Proper licensing and experience in residential and commercial structural projects.
No, beams are the primary load-bearers for flooring or roofing systems, and they distribute the weight of the structure to your foundational supports, while joists bear far less weight and distribute their loads to the beams. Beams are usually thicker and longer, and they have support posts or foundation walls beneath them for support.
According to the Earthquake Country Alliance—a public and private alliance in California that works to improve earthquake and tsunami readiness—reports that unreinforced masonry, such as stone, bricks, and hollow clay tiles, is more susceptible to earthquake damage. The mortar between bricks isn’t as stable as other building materials and methods.
The Oak Hill, VA homeowners’ guide to structural engineering services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
The cost of a structural engineer is easily justifiable given the value they bring to the table. Use this guide to see what hiring your professional will total in Washington, D.C.
Find out the average beam installation cost in Washington, D.C. Learn what you can expect to pay for structural support and plan your renovation budget today.
The cost of a structural engineer is easily justifiable given the value they bring to the table. Use this guide to see what hiring your professional will total.
Spotting deep foundation cracks or sagging floors? Learn about structural engineering costs, serious warning signs, and how to hire the right local pro.
It can be hard to choose the right pro for any job, but it matters. Learn how to hire a structural engineer who'll get the job done right from start to finish.
