Residential Structural Assessments in Michigan

H&B Structural Engineers, PLLC provides limited visual structural assessments and written structural opinion letters for homeowners, buyers, sellers, real estate professionals, and contractors throughout Michigan.

Understanding Residential Structural Assessments

A residential structural assessment is a limited visual review performed by a licensed structural engineer to evaluate a home or specific structural concern. When a written opinion letter is provided, the letter summarizes the engineer’s observations, professional opinion, limitations, and recommended next steps based on the visible and accessible conditions observed at the time of the site visit.

What it is:

A limited visual review of a home or specific structural concern performed by a licensed structural engineer.

Why it's needed:

Often requested for real estate transactions, planned renovations, visible deterioration, water damage, foundation movement, deck concerns, sloping floors, or questions about safety and structural soundness.

Who benefits:

Homeowners, buyers, sellers, real estate professionals, contractors, lenders, and insurance representatives.

Our Approach to Residential Structural Assessments

H&B focuses on clear communication, practical recommendations, and a well-defined scope of review. Each assessment is prepared to help homeowners, buyers, sellers, real estate professionals, contractors, and lenders understand the observed condition and determine reasonable next steps.

Clear Communication

H&B prepares assessments in clear, practical language so the findings can be understood by homeowners, buyers, sellers, real estate professionals, contractors, and lenders. The goal is to explain the observed condition, the structural concern, and the recommended next steps without unnecessary engineering jargon.

Practical Recommendations

H&B’s assessments are intended to help the client understand the observed issue and decide what to do next. Recommendations may include continued monitoring, contractor repair coordination, further evaluation, or repair considerations depending on the observed condition and agreed scope of review.

Defined Scope of Review

Each assessment is based on the agreed scope of services and the visible and accessible conditions observed at the time of the site visit. This helps the client understand what was reviewed, what was not reviewed, and what limitations apply to the opinion.

Common Reasons to Request a Residential Structural Assessment

Residential structural assessments are often requested when a visible building concern, repair project, real estate transaction, or safety-related question needs to be reviewed by a licensed structural engineer.

    • Foundation cracks or settlement concerns

    • Basement or crawl space structural concerns

    • Sloping, uneven, or sagging floors

    • Beam, lintel, or load-bearing wall questions

    • Deck, porch, balcony, or ledger concerns

    • Siding, exterior wall, window trim, or framing deterioration

    • Water damage or suspected wood deterioration

    • Planned renovations that require structural input

    • Real estate transaction structural assessments

    • Written structural opinion letters requested by homeowners, buyers, sellers, lenders, or contractors

How the Process Works

H&B follows a straightforward process to help homeowners, buyers, sellers, real estate professionals, contractors, and lenders understand what information is needed and what to expect during the review.

1. Initial Request

The client provides the property address, a description of the concern, available background information, and the specific questions that need to be answered.

2. Information Review

H&B reviews available photos, contractor notes, repair scopes, prior reports, real estate-related requests, or client-provided documents.

3. Site Visit

H&B performs a limited visual assessment of the visible and accessible conditions at the time of the site visit.

4. Written Opinion Letter

H&B prepares a written structural engineering opinion letter summarizing observations, professional opinions, limitations, and recommended next steps.

5. Follow Up

When needed, H&B can provide reasonable follow-up clarification for the client, contractor, real estate professional, or lender.

Important Scope Limitations

H&B’s structural assessments are based on the agreed scope of services and the visible and accessible conditions observed at the time of the site visit. Unless specifically included in the written scope, services do not include destructive testing, hidden condition verification, full code compliance review, construction observation, or responsibility for contractor means and methods.

When a written opinion letter is requested by a homeowner, buyer, seller, lender, contractor, or other project participant, H&B’s review is limited to the specific questions provided and should not be considered a guarantee of hidden conditions or future performance.

Need a Structural Assessment for Your Home?

If you have a structural concern at your home, or if a buyer, seller, real estate professional, contractor, or lender has requested a structural assessment, H&B can help review the visible conditions and provide a clear written opinion when appropriate.