Irving Foundation Repair Pros connects homeowners, buyers and sellers who need a structural engineer's foundation report in Irving, TX with an independent local foundation company that can inspect the house and work with an engineer.
A structural engineer's report is a licensed engineer's own assessment of the foundation. Unlike a contractor's inspection, the engineer is not selling the repair, which is why lenders, buyers and sellers often trust it more.
When You Might Need One
- You are buying a house and the inspection flagged foundation movement
- You are selling and want buyers to see a clear, independent assessment
- Two contractors gave very different repair plans
- A repair is finished and you want documentation that it was done
- Your city or HOA requires engineering for the work
What a Report Usually Includes
- A visual inspection inside and outside the house
- Floor elevation readings and a sketch of high and low areas
- An opinion on whether the foundation is performing as intended
- The likely cause of movement, such as soil moisture, drainage or plumbing leaks
- Recommendations: repair, monitoring, drainage changes or no action
Engineer Report vs Contractor Inspection
A foundation company's inspection is meant to diagnose and price a repair. An engineer's report gives an independent opinion and may specify how the repair should be done. Many repair contracts include an engineer's review of the plan or a letter after the work is finished. Ask which the contractor offers.
Cost
Angi's cost guide puts a structural report at about $300 to $1,000. Price depends on the house size, whether there is a crawl space and how detailed a report you need.
After Repairs: The Final Letter
If your house has been repaired, an engineer's letter confirming the work was done according to the plan is useful when you sell. Keep it with the contractor's warranty, the elevation readings and any permit paperwork.
How We Fit In
We are not engineers and do not write reports. Your request goes to an independent local foundation company. If you need an engineer's evaluation, say so in your request so they can tell you how they work with engineers.
Checking an Engineer's License
Engineers in Texas are licensed by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, and the board offers an online license search. Before you pay for a report, look up the engineer's name and confirm the license is active. The report itself should carry the engineer's seal.
Common questions
Do I need an engineer before foundation repair?
Not always. Many residential repairs go ahead on a contractor's inspection. An engineer is worth it for large repairs, real estate transactions, commercial buildings or when contractors disagree.
How long does an engineer's report take?
The visit itself is often an hour or two, and the written report usually follows within days. Ask when you schedule.
Will the engineer tell me which company to hire?
Engineers usually describe the problem and recommended repair, not a specific contractor. You can share the report with any company you ask to quote.
What does an engineer look for that a contractor might not?
An engineer evaluates whether the foundation is performing as intended and what is causing any movement, without the incentive of selling a repair. The report may recommend monitoring, drainage changes or a specific repair method.
Can I use an engineer's report from the seller?
You can read it, but buyers often want their own evaluation. Ask your agent, and check the date and scope of any report you are given.