Professional needed?

[Reggie1]

Hi everyone, 

 

I live in a semi detached 1910 house.

 

I'm trying to figure out if I need a structural engineer and if so how to find one, and what I need from one, and how much to budget for this. 

 

I've constructed a detailed report,  with pictures and floor plans.

 

1) What do I ask them?

2) Will my report prevent them from finding issues other than ive identified?

3) I intend to stay in the house,  so need a specification to pass to contractors to fix the issues. 

 

How should I approach this?

 

I've found this template,  is it lacking, or in need of changing?

 

"""

 

Subject: Enquiry: Structural Inspection & Report for Older Residential Property (Your Town/Postcode)

Hi [Engineer's Name or Team],
I am looking to hire a structural engineer to inspect my home and provide a report on several specific structural concerns.

 

It is an older property, and we are planning to carry out remedial works using contractors for our own long-term occupation.

I have prepared a preliminary document detailing my concerns, complete with house plans, internal/external photographs, attic space conditions, and drone footage of the roof and upper masonry.

Before sending the document over for a quote, could you please confirm:

 

1) Do you have specific experience working with older/period residential properties?

2) Are you comfortable providing  structural specifications that can be handed to contractors to carry out the work?

 

3) Are you chartered (MIStructE / MICE), and do you carry adequate Professional Indemnity Insurance for residential diagnostics?

4) What is your current lead time for site visits?

If you are able to assist, please let me know and I will forward the documentation so you can provide an accurate quote for the survey.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

 

"""

 

 

 

[JohnMo]

Looks AI generated.

 

Not sure what your full scope of work is, but speak to an architect first. They will get proper drawing done and engage a structural engineer as needed.

 

If you think you need a structural engineer you most likely doing stuff you need planning for anyway.

[saveasteading]

19 minutes ago, Reggie1 said:

if I need a structural engineer

We can't tell. What sort of issue concerns you?

 

If, for example,  it is damp and rot and insulation then an Architect or Building Surveyor is your best bet IFFFF the Architect is a doing person rather than of the arty persuasion.

 

If walls are cracked and you fear the strength of the building then an Engineer is essential, and you'll end up with one anyway.

 

22 minutes ago, Reggie1 said:

Will my report prevent them from finding issues other than i've identified?

Absolutely not. They will insist on seeing the building holistically because what you have reported on may be a symptom rather than the fundamental issue.

Then you just have to be sure to check the rest of the house out too, if concerned.

 

To me, as an Engineer, if I received that sort of enquiry it would seem exaggeratedly contractual, and I would prefer a simple enquiry in plain English.

"I'm concerned about my 1910 house because it has cracks and  damp....etc"

 

Or phone.

A professional will tell you if it isn't what they do or doesn't suit their business model.

 

I suggest you agree initially  to a site visit and preliminary inspection. a few £hundred. Only after that can the scope be discussed properly.

 

But back to the start. Can you tell us any more about your concerns?

 

 

 

 

[Reggie1]

18 hours ago, JohnMo said:

Looks AI generated.

 

Not sure what your full scope of work is, but speak to an architect first. They will get proper drawing done and engage a structural engineer as needed.

 

If you think you need a structural engineer you most likely doing stuff you need planning for anyway.

It was AI generated.

 

We're firstly looking to sort out issues before we decide how much money left for improvement work.

 

Initially we wanted an idea of how much it would cost to sort out damp and crack issues.

[saveasteading]

4 minutes ago, Reggie1 said:

damp and crack issues

Cracks may require SE but may be routine.. How extensive and how wide? Pictures would be helpful.

Damp probably not SE.... it's usually a maintenance issue ... gutters, ground levels.. pics again and descriptions. and maybe we can point you in the right direction at no cost.

[Reggie1]

18 hours ago, saveasteading said:

We can't tell. What sort of issue concerns you?

There are a few issues, damp and multiple internal cracks.  I thought pulling them together in a document would help. It's not intended to be contractual merely informative.

 

I was asking this forum for advice how to choose someone to check them out.

 

We were going to get some work done,  but wanted to know if we needed new wall ties, or roof, or structural remedial work first, because this will inform us how much of the 'improvement ' things we can do.

 

Should I set up another post and put sone pictures in? Should I focus on one issues at a time, as there are multiple?

 

I just don't know how to approach this.

 

Thanks for your advice about the document, that was useful. 

 

If I share pictures,  you'll have a better idea of who I need?

 

 

[saveasteading]

Just now, Reggie1 said:

If I share pictures

You are right to resolve if it is a big deal or toutine. The majority of such issues I've looked at over decades have needed attention but only maintenance. 

A boss once used this as standard advice to worried owners.... can you get a  pound coin into the gap? No, don't worry but it needs attention. Yes, let's have a look and sort the cause.

 

A 1910 house doesn't usually have good damp resistance. They had fires indoors, opened lots of windows and lived with it. Again, tell more.

[SteamyTea]

18 minutes ago, saveasteading said:

1910 house doesn't usually have good damp resistance. They had fires indoors, opened lots of windows and lived with it. Again, tell more

And no vapour control layers, insulation, ventilation control.

Many then had a large gas boiler fitted that was run on a timer, this caused condensation issues.

(I had a 1910 terrace and it was awful, but if I had known in 1984 what I know now, I could have improved it no end)