What Happens During a Structural Inspection? A Step-by-Step Guide

If you've scheduled your first structural inspection - or you're thinking about it - you might be wondering what actually happens. What does the engineer look at? How long does it take? What do you get afterward? Here's a complete walkthrough of our process at Triangle Structural Engineering.

Before the Inspection - When you contact us, we'll ask about the specific concerns you're seeing (cracks, settling, renovation plans, etc.) and the age and type of your home. This helps us prepare and know what to look for. We'll schedule a time that works for you, typically within a few days of your call.

Arriving at Your Home - Our licensed Professional Engineer will arrive at the scheduled time. We bring measuring tools, levels, moisture meters, cameras, and other inspection equipment. The inspection typically takes 1-2 hours depending on the size of your home and the scope of concerns.

Exterior Evaluation - We start outside, examining the foundation walls, brick veneer, grading and drainage around the home, chimney condition, and any visible signs of settlement or movement. We look for cracks, displacement, and moisture patterns that tell us what's happening beneath the surface.

Interior Evaluation - Inside, we check floors for levelness, examine walls and ceilings for cracking patterns, test doors and windows for proper operation, and look for signs of structural distress. We pay special attention to areas where the homeowner has noticed problems.

Crawl Space or Basement Inspection - This is often the most revealing part of the inspection. We examine the foundation from below, checking for moisture damage, wood deterioration, inadequate support, and structural framing issues. In crawl spaces, we assess piers, beams, joists, and the overall structural system.

Measurements and Documentation - Throughout the inspection, we take detailed measurements and photographs. We measure floor slopes, crack widths, and any displacement. This documentation forms the basis of our engineering analysis.

Discussion of Findings - Before we leave, we'll give you a preliminary overview of what we found, whether the issues appear structural or cosmetic, and what we expect our recommendations to be. We want you to have answers, not more questions.

Your PE-Stamped Report - Within 1-2 business days, you'll receive a comprehensive PE-stamped report. This document includes our observations, photographs, engineering analysis, conclusions, and specific recommendations. It's the document your contractor, insurance company, or lender needs to move forward.