Residential Applications of Structural Engineering in New Jersey

 

Structural engineers provide tremendous help to real estate owners in New Jersey. They design and evaluate the integrity of a structure to make certain it can withstand forces and support loads to keep people safe when using them. The input of a licensed structural engineer is also essential for finalizing financial decisions and enabling property owners to save time and money in the process.

Many often think that structural engineering is for commercial buildings, bridges, tunnels, or other types of large construction projects. However, it also has residential applications, from modifying parts of a home to constructing a new house and even home purchase transactions.

A licensed structural engineer in New Jersey can help home buyers and homeowners in a variety of ways. Here are some of them:

Constructing Home Additions

Some ways residents can expand their home include:

• Building out – making lateral extensions on ground level, like adding a room, garage, sunroom, deck, or detached living space.
• Building up – adding another story to the structure or adding extra living space above one-story wings like a garage or sunroom.

When constructing a home addition, a licensed structural engineer in NJ will review design plans, check the foundation strength, and assess if the extension is compatible with the existing structure, and will go over other aspects that the architect or designer might not delve into.

Structural engineers will also make sure that the home additions comply with relevant building codes and regulations, such as the Residential Building Code 2018  New Jersey Edition and additional criteria set by the local jurisdiction. For example, a structural engineer in Somerset County can determine for residents that their property extension is within the height and area limitations stipulated in state and local laws.

Interior Home Renovations

Modifications that might affect the house’s stability often require structural engineering to protect occupants and prevent safety risks.

For example, if Hunterdon County homeowners want to tear down an interior wall to create a more open space, they need to find out if it is load-bearing before demolition can begin. Removing a load-bearing wall without the guidance of a licensed structural engineer in Hunterdon County might result in injuries, death, and costly damage. In addition, there might also be plumbing pipes and electrical wires in the way, making the process more complex.

In these instances, the structural engineer will redesign the beams, columns, and other structural frame components that support the house. They will meet the homeowner’s design needs while providing a durable structural replacement to the wall being removed.

Changing Load Requirements

According to the Residential Building Code 2018  New Jersey Edition, buildings, structures, and their components should be able to safely support various kinds of loads, including dead loads, live loads, roof loads, and environmental loads. Minimum and maximum loads must also conform with local codes.

Residents might add stone or brick construction where they do not already exist in the home. Similarly, they might install a tub, aquarium, granite countertop, or other interior home components that exert extra force onto the structure. Therefore, they need a well-qualified structural engineer to determine if the structure can handle these additional loads.

Moreover, calculating the changes in load requirements is important in older homes because they might have been constructed under different, less strict codes.

Structural Inspection 

Environmental and human-made causes can threaten the stability and safety of a home. If left unchecked, defects in the structure will develop over time, leading to more expensive damage and becoming a significant safety hazard for occupants.

Structural engineers can spot flaws in the property, determine the cause, evaluate the severity of the problem, and suggest an appropriate solution. The inspection process usually comprises checking for water damage, foundation issues, uneven flooring, wall cracks, sagging ceilings, and more. It will also review if  the home’s HVAC systems, plumbing systems, and electrical systems have impacted the structural components.

Knowing the present condition of a residential property is essential for current homeowners and prospective buyers as it gives them peace of mind and enables them to maximize their real estate investment.

Hiring the Right Structural Engineer in NJ

Besides its application in commercial properties and industrial structures, structural engineering also includes residential real estate. Regardless if homeowners are looking to expand their property, remodel their home, or add additional interior components over time, they must hire the right structural engineer to oversee these projects. These licensed professional engineers give homeowners the satisfaction that the process goes smoothly and nothing is overlooked during construction. Their insight is also essential for home buyers, giving them an idea of what to expect before closing a purchase.

If searching for a structural engineer in Mercer County or surrounding areas in the Garden state, owners or prospective buyers should hire a licensed professional engineer that follows the National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers (NABIE) Standard of Practice, as they can provide a detailed inspection process and produce a report that complies with the format and content standards of NABIE.

Engineers at Lockatong Engineering perform commercial building inspections, often referred to as Property Condition Assessments (PCA) per the NABIE Standard of Practice and following ASTM E2018, which is the industry standard for baseline Property Condition Assessments. They also offer a comprehensive residential property inspection, including a focused inspection of a single feature, evaluating a home’s current structure, phased inspections across the life of a construction venture, or structural design services for a renovation or addition.

Contact us today to learn more about the service offerings of our commercial building engineers in NJ.