Structural Inspection & Assessment Services
AAA Engineering Design provides comprehensive structural inspections for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings throughout California. Our licensed Professional Engineers evaluate the complete structural system and deliver detailed reports that inform decisions about safety, repairs, purchases, and renovations.
What is Structural Inspection?
A structural inspection examines the entire structural system of a building, not just the foundation. Our licensed engineers assess framing, connections, load paths, lateral force resistance, roof structure, floor systems, and foundations to provide a complete picture of a building's structural health. These inspections serve buyers, owners, property managers, and investors who need reliable information about a building's structural condition.
Why Choose Our Structural Inspection Services
Complete structural system evaluation beyond foundation-only inspections
Licensed PE reports with full professional authority
Identification of safety concerns, code deficiencies, and maintenance needs
Clear prioritization of findings by urgency and structural significance
Experience inspecting all building types across California
Earthquake damage assessment by engineers specializing in seismic performance
Actionable reports with repair recommendations and cost guidance
What We Provide
Comprehensive structural inspection services with complete documentation
Full Building Structural Inspection
Complete evaluation of all accessible structural elements including foundation, floor framing, walls, roof structure, connections, and lateral force-resisting system.
Earthquake Damage Assessment
Post-earthquake structural evaluation to determine if a building is safe to occupy, document damage for insurance or FEMA claims, and identify repairs needed to restore structural integrity.
Pre-Purchase Structural Evaluation
Thorough structural assessment for buyers considering a property purchase, providing clear information about the building's structural condition, remaining service life, and any needed repairs.
Existing Conditions Assessment
Detailed survey and documentation of a building's current structural system for renovation planning, change of use evaluation, or due diligence purposes.
Structural Deficiency Reports
Identification and documentation of structural deficiencies including under-designed members, missing connections, code violations, and deterioration requiring attention.
Repair & Upgrade Recommendations
Prioritized recommendations for structural repairs, upgrades, and maintenance with cost guidance to help owners and buyers plan and budget effectively.
How It Works
Our streamlined process for structural inspection
Scope Definition
Discussion of your inspection needs, building type, areas of concern, and intended use of the report to define the appropriate inspection scope and deliverables.
Document Review
Review available building plans, previous reports, permits, and disclosures to prepare for the inspection and understand the building's construction history.
On-Site Inspection
Systematic examination of all accessible structural elements including visual inspection, measurement, testing where applicable, and thorough photographic documentation.
Structural Analysis
Engineering analysis of observed conditions to evaluate structural adequacy, identify deficiencies, determine causes of distress, and assess remaining service life.
Findings Classification
Organization of findings by category and priority: immediate safety concerns, significant structural deficiencies, maintenance items, and informational observations.
Report Preparation
Comprehensive report with executive summary, detailed findings with photos, engineering analysis, professional opinions, and prioritized recommendations.
Report Delivery & Review
Delivery of the completed report with a detailed review call to walk through findings, answer questions, and discuss recommendations with all stakeholders.
Follow-Up & Next Steps
Ongoing availability for questions, coordination with contractors, and transition to repair engineering design if structural work is recommended.
Common Applications
We provide structural inspection for a wide range of projects
Cost Information
Transparent pricing for your project
Typical Range:
$500 - $3,000 for inspections; $2,000 - $6,000 with full PE-stamped engineering report
Factors Affecting Cost:
- Building size, type, and number of stories
- Scope of inspection (targeted vs. comprehensive)
- Accessibility of structural elements
- Whether destructive or invasive investigation is needed
- Level of engineering analysis required
- Formal PE-stamped report vs. letter report
Structural inspection fees vary based on building size, complexity, and the depth of analysis and reporting required.
Timeline
What to expect for your project
Design Phase
1-2 weeks from inspection to report delivery
Permitting
Not applicable for inspection-only services
Total Timeline
1-2 weeks from scheduling to completed report
Timelines vary based on project complexity, jurisdiction requirements, and information availability. We provide detailed schedules during consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about structural inspection
What is the difference between a structural inspection and a home inspection?
A home inspection is a general survey of all building systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, structure) by a generalist. A structural inspection is a focused, in-depth evaluation of the structural system by a licensed Professional Engineer. Structural engineers have the expertise to analyze load paths, evaluate structural adequacy, and provide authoritative opinions on structural safety and code compliance.
When do I need a structural inspection?
You need a structural inspection when buying a property with visible structural concerns, after an earthquake or natural disaster, before a major renovation, when you notice new cracks or movement in your building, for change of use evaluations, or for balcony compliance under SB 326 or SB 721. Any time structural safety is in question, a licensed engineer should evaluate the building.
How much does a structural inspection cost?
Structural inspections range from $500-$3,000 for the inspection itself. A full PE-stamped engineering report with detailed analysis and recommendations costs $2,000-$6,000. Costs depend on building size, complexity, and the depth of analysis needed. We provide quotes before scheduling.
What does a structural engineer look for during an inspection?
We evaluate the foundation system, floor and roof framing, load-bearing walls and columns, connections between structural elements, lateral force-resisting system, signs of settlement or movement, material deterioration, water damage, fire damage, and overall structural adequacy relative to current building codes and the building's intended use.
Can you assess earthquake damage to my building?
Yes. Post-earthquake assessment is one of our core services. We evaluate structural damage, determine if the building is safe to occupy, document damage for insurance and FEMA claims, and design repairs to restore structural integrity. Our engineers have extensive experience with California earthquake damage assessment.
Do you perform SB 326 and SB 721 balcony inspections?
Yes. California Senate Bills 326 and 721 require periodic structural inspections of exterior elevated elements (balconies, decks, walkways, stairways) on multi-family buildings. Our licensed engineers perform these inspections and provide the required reports documenting conditions and any needed repairs.
How long does a structural inspection take on-site?
A typical residential structural inspection takes 1-3 hours on site. Larger commercial buildings or comprehensive inspections take 3-8 hours. The time depends on building size, number of areas to inspect, and whether specialized investigation is needed. Report delivery follows within 1-2 weeks.
Will your inspection report identify all structural problems?
Our inspection covers all accessible structural elements and identifies all observable conditions. Some structural elements are concealed behind finishes and cannot be inspected without invasive investigation. We clearly state inspection limitations in our report and recommend invasive investigation when concealed conditions are suspected.