Structural Engineering Evaluations and Consultations in Pittsburgh
Independent, limited visual evaluations of identified structural concerns for homeowners, property owners, buyers, contractors, and other clients.
Pittsburgh Design & Engineering Services provides on-site structural engineering evaluations addressing the specific questions and accessible conditions included in the agreed scope of services. Common concerns include foundation cracking or movement, sagging or uneven floors, framing alterations, beams and columns, load-bearing walls, moisture-related deterioration, and reported property damage.
The purpose of the evaluation is to observe the accessible conditions relevant to the client’s identified concerns, discuss the engineering considerations, and provide professional guidance regarding reasonable next steps. The evaluation is not a comprehensive inspection of every structural component or a guarantee regarding structural safety, code compliance, concealed conditions, or future performance.
Limited Visual Structural Evaluations
Professional On-Site Assessments for Homes and Buildings in Pittsburgh
The scope of each evaluation is based on the client’s identified concerns, the property conditions, available information, accessibility, and the on-site time authorized in the agreement.
During the site visit, the Engineer may observe and discuss accessible structural elements relevant to the agreed questions, such as foundation walls, beams, columns, floor or properly accessible roof framing, connections, visible cracking, displacement, deterioration, or previous alterations.
Observations are visual and nondestructive unless a different service is specifically authorized. Finishes, stored materials, insulation, ceilings, walls, flooring, soil, and other obstructions may conceal conditions that cannot be evaluated during a limited site visit.
The Engineer’s verbal discussion is based on conditions visible and accessible at the time of the evaluation and the information made available by the client.
Verbal Evaluation and Written Documentation
The standard initial service includes the site visit and verbal engineering evaluation described in the executed agreement. No letter, report, email summary, photographs, calculations, drawings, certification, or other written documentation is included in the initial fee unless expressly stated otherwise.
​If written documentation is requested, PittDES will determine whether a letter, opinion report, calculations, drawings, or another deliverable is appropriate for the intended purpose.
Written documentation is an additional service subject to a separately confirmed scope, fee, intended recipient, reliance limitations, and anticipated schedule.
​A request for written documentation does not automatically expand the original site evaluation or require PittDES to address conditions that were not observed, accessible, investigated, or included in the agreed scope.
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What the Evaluation May Address
Within the agreed scope and available site-visit time, the evaluation may include:
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Discussion of the client’s identified structural questions or concerns
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Visual observation of relevant accessible structural components
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Measurements when considered appropriate to the identified concern
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Discussion of observed cracking, displacement, deflection, deterioration, or previous alterations
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Consideration of potential contributing factors supported by the accessible observations and available information
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Discussion of whether monitoring, maintenance, additional investigation, repair, design, or consultation with another professional may be appropriate
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Verbal recommendations or next steps based on the observed conditions and professional engineering judgment
The evaluation does not necessarily determine a single cause of a condition. Cause-and-origin analysis, calculations, testing, monitoring, destructive investigation, repair design, and preparation of construction documents are separate services unless specifically included.
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When a Structural Evaluation May Be Appropriate
A structural engineering evaluation may be appropriate when:
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Cracks, bowing, leaning, displacement, or deterioration are observed in a foundation or wall
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Floors appear sagged, sloped, uneven, or unusually flexible
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A beam, column, joist, rafter, connection, or other structural component appears altered or damaged
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A load-bearing wall may have been removed or modified
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A renovation, addition, deck, or structural alteration is being considered
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A home inspector, contractor, lender, appraiser, insurer, attorney, or municipality requests an engineer’s opinion
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Fire, wind, impact, water exposure, construction activity, or another event may have affected accessible structural components
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Previous structural repairs or reinforcement require evaluation
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An independent engineering opinion is desired before authorizing a proposed repair
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When selling or buying a home with potential structural concerns
The appropriate scope depends on the specific concern and intended use of the engineering service. A limited evaluation may identify the need for additional investigation, calculations, monitoring, design, or documentation.
Additional Engineering Services
Depending on the findings and the client’s needs, separately authorized services may include:
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A written engineering opinion or condition-assessment report
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Review of photographs, inspection reports, drawings, repair proposals, or other documents
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Structural calculations
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Signed and sealed repair or permit drawings
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Monitoring recommendations or review of monitoring information
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Construction-phase observations at agreed intervals
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Consultation with contractors, architects, attorneys, lenders, municipalities, or other identified parties
Additional services are provided only after the scope, fee, intended use, deliverables, and limitations are confirmed. Acceptance of any document by a lender, insurer, municipality, court, contractor, or other third party cannot be guaranteed.
Discuss Your Structural Concern
When requesting an evaluation, provide the property address, a description of the concern, the intended purpose of the service, and any available photographs, inspection comments, drawings, repair proposals, or recipient requirements.
PittDES will review the preliminary information and determine the appropriate proposed scope for your consideration.
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