If you are buying or selling a home it is a good idea to hire a structural engineer to perform an inspection on the home. If you are selling, the report will let you know any issues that you might need to have fixed before the final sale. If you are purchasing a new home you want to make sure that you are buying a home that is in the best possible condition.
The reason that you should hire a structural engineer for this inspection is simply because of their expertise. A structural engineer will check the entire structure of the home and the entire property. During the inspection, the inspector will look at the foundation and the roof of the home as well as all other areas of the house. Once they have completed their initial inspection, they will write up a report that will be provided to you.
There are many things that can be uncovered during a structural engineering inspection. The most important area of the home that will be inspected is the foundation. The construct and design of the foundation will be viewed and rated. Any wood that is present will be inspected to ensure that there is no rotting occurring. Soil erosion will be noted and reported if it is causing your home to not properly settle.
Essentially, if there are any issues with the home at all, a structural engineer will provide you with insight into the problems. They will also provide you with what is causing the damage and whether or not the damage needs immediate repair or is relatively harmless. This report can be crucial when you are buying or selling a home.