Can a structural engineer inspect my crawl space?

Yes, and in the Triangle this is one of the most common inspections we do. A licensed PE enters the crawl space to evaluate the girders, piers, floor joists, subfloor, sill plates, and vapor barrier for rot, sagging, undersized framing, and moisture damage. The PE-stamped report identifies what's structural, what's cosmetic, and what a repair contractor should actually price.

What we look for down there

Sagging or overspanned floor joists (bounce, spongy floors).

Rotted sill plates and rim joists where moisture wicked in.

Failed or crushed piers, missing shims, and offset girder bearings.

Vapor barrier gaps, standing water, and drainage issues that will cause structural damage over time.

Prior contractor 'repairs' that look reassuring but are actually inadequate (sistered joists without full bearing, jack posts on dirt).

Why the PE opinion beats a contractor bid

A foundation repair contractor's site visit is a sales call - they price what they sell. A PE inspection is independent: we tell you what actually needs to happen structurally, and often it's less than what a contractor would sell you. You then take our report to bid contractors against a clear scope.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to clean my crawl space before you come?

No, but please make sure the access panel is unlocked and stored items are moved back from the entry area. We're used to tight, muddy, and cluttered crawl spaces.

What if my crawl space has standing water?

We can still inspect, but drainage is usually the first thing we'll address in the report. Structural problems in wet crawl spaces are almost always downstream of a moisture problem.

How does this differ from what a home inspector does?

A home inspector notes concerns from the crawl space entry, and rarely crawls the full space. A PE crawl inspection is a full traverse with photos, measurements, and structural analysis - not a visual scan.