In Hurricane Season, Let a Licensed Structural Engineer Help You Assess Storm Damage

Your property, whether it’s residential or commercial, is built to counteract rainfall, winds, and other natural forces. But like anything, it won’t be able to withstand strong hurricanes and storms forever. At some point, your home or building will suffer from damages.  When it does, you will likely need to call upon a licensed structural engineer to get a full storm damage assessment.

These professionals are trained to evaluate real estate properties, analyze the damage and the structure’s ability to resist natural forces, and let you know what repairs are necessary. Whether you need an exterior inspection, an interior inspection, or a roof inspection, a licensed structural engineer can offer a detailed storm damage report.

Insurance Adjuster vs. Structural Engineer

When you file a claim, your insurance provider will send an adjuster to your door to assess the damage, decide what items are covered by the insurance company, and place a dollar value for fixes. Usually, this report is based on your insurance policy, the standards of the insurance company, and the experience of the adjuster. Hence, the assessment may not be completely accurate.

Licensed structural engineers, on the other hand, are not bound by your insurance policy, neither are they bound by the regulations of the insurance company. Instead, their professional responsibility centers on your needs. Rather than giving you a long document stating what the insurance providers will pay for, the structural engineer will provide a concise and objective analysis of the issue and recommend the most effective and cost-efficient repair.

The appraisal will be precise, honest, and will leave nothing out. It will include all the details you need to complete the claims process and indicate how much money is expected to be recovered under your insurance company’s policy terms. So if your property has fallen victim to storm damage, be certain to leave the assessment only in the hands of a licensed structural engineer.

Choosing a Structural Engineer

Just as you would choose a qualified doctor to help take care of your health, it is imperative to ensure that the structural engineer you will hire to analyze your property has the proper expertise and education to successfully complete a project.

Find out if the structural engineer has the appropriate certifications and state licenses to offer public service within your area. Request their license number and verify it with the state licensing board. In terms of specialty and years of practice, make sure to hire someone with extensive experience with the type of project you have. Look into their portfolio and ask for a couple of client references to get an idea of their work ethics.

Have you worked with a licensed structural engineer in the past? Were they able to help you cope with all of the damage and repairs?