The answer to this question depends on what kind of work you want done. Now, if your renovation project simply involves replacing your flooring, painting the walls, getting rid of your outdated popcorn ceiling, changing some light fixtures, and generally redecorating, then the answer is no, you do not need a structural engineer.

As the name suggests, this engineer is one particular concerned with the structure of the home, building, or dwelling. That means if the change you are making during your remodel may jeopardize the structural integrity of the home (in other words, might cause it to collapse) then you would be wise to have a structural engineer get involved. However, you do not necessarily NEED to have a structural engineer. Some general contractors (GCs) guarantee that the job will be done safely and ensure that they understand the North Carolina Building Code well enough to employ the wisdom of structural engineers themselves.

The structural engineer is someone who has studied countless hours, studied under another professional engineer, passed one of the most rigorous tests (similar to the BAR exam for attorneys), and has come out the other end with “PE” in his/her title. They are a Professional Engineer. There are different varieties; some for mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, you name it! 

Aside from your house not collapsing mid-build, hiring the structural engineer will give you, the homeowner, peace of mind. By working with the engineer directly, you will be able to share the size, scope, and desire of your remodel, and end up with a stamped drawing by a licensed professional which ensures that if the project is done to their print, it will be safe for the inhabitants of the home. So you and your loved ones won’t have to worry about the house sagging, failing, or causing further damage.

Another thing hiring a structural engineer will do is give you a stamped drawing. With this in-hand, you can shop around for GCs and know that their quotes are apples-to-apples. Without a print, some GCs may elect to do the work differently than others. But if you share that drawing, they will all be bidding the material and labor that is within the scope of the drawing.

At OmniVerus General Contractors, we always ensure our structural remodeling projects are up to code and built to a signed, stamped, approved print by a Structural Engineer. It’s another step but it ensures peace of mind for our clients knowing that we will have things done the right way.

We work closely with the following company on majority of our projects:

Tydall Structural Engineering