A client called to say that there was a residential deck he wanted me to check. After driving for one hour I reached the site in Warrenton. It was an extremely big marriage hall that was built without permit or inspections. I have to come up with answers for my client. First step get the permits and then inspections.
So a relative of mine casually mentioned that he had a crack in the foundation wall of his two year old house and water came in his basement thru a crack. A contractor quoted him a figure of $5000 to fix it. The fix included digging around the crack and placement of a drain pipe to go nowhere. I went to look at the problem. It was a concrete wall which normally develops hairline cracks. The fix was to do epoxy injection of the crack if water came in again. Which in this case was a low possibility. Since the basement was unfinished waiting would not harm anything. Cost was a few hundred dollars.
Went to a house in Arlington where the homeowner told me that a contractor had told him to underpin the whole house. After looking at the whole house carefully and not finding anything wrong other then a hairline crack. I was amazed as to what the contractor said and what he was going to charge $50000. The $50000 was to be used for his daughters education. I felt happy for the homeowner now he can send his daughter to college.
Over 30 years of structural engineering practice. Solved myriad of structural problems from foundation cracks to sinking floors etc. Clients include developers. contractors, architects, builders, home owners, realtors etc.
A client asked me to check an addition. Her daughter and son in law had bought the house. She was concerned that the addition would fall down. Looking at the addition I realized the framing was good. The foundation of the addition was sound and I did not see any problems with it.
I wish all the parents would show that much concern about what their children buy.
A client asked me to check front porch of his house. We were told that it was pulling away.. The front porch was supported by three pilasters who were leaning outwards.
Told the client to underpin the pilasters instead of removing the whole front porch. Cost was ten thousand dollars. Client told me a contractor had told him to remove the entire front porch cost 40,000 dollars
I went to see a client today who told me that a contractor had told him that the repairs to the house would cost $60,000.
On structural inspection of the house I found nothing wrong other then few very minor cracks..
Client was very happy to get the good news
