Today’s hot housing market means that you may need to renovate your way into your dream home. If you have two small bedrooms on the second floor and want one large space, you’ll need guidance before taking out the wall. The scenarios below will indicate more reasons to work with an engineer.
1. Taking Out Walls
The wall down the middle of your home is likely load-bearing. Taking it out may mean adding a beam and posts to make sure that opening up the space doesn’t lead to a sagging roof, overloaded trusses, or a dangerous collapse.
Depending on your ultimate goals, it’s a good idea to bring in an engineer as soon as you start talking about renovating the space. You’ll know what can be done. You’ll also likely get expert guidance on who to hire and how long the process will take.
Some remodeling projects are quite disruptive. The dust, noise, and mess may make it necessary to relocate for a time. Working with an engineer can give you a better understanding of the requirements.
2. Adding to the Existing Footprint
Your existing foundation may be in terrific shape, but that doesn’t mean an addition will be easy. Issues from drainage to stability will need to be considered before you can add on a room or convert an existing porch.
If you’ve got your eye on a property but haven’t bought it yet, consider bringing in an engineer to check out the property before you buy. They can help you get a better understanding of what’s possible, both inside the structure and around it.
3. Adding Square Footage Above
The process of stripping a house, or pulling off the roof and building a second story, is another way to take an affordable home and customize it to your needs. This process will require the expert guidance of a structural engineer.
You’ll need to know if the foundation can handle the weight. You may also need to shore up the existing internal structure when you add a staircase to the existing home. Finally, you’ll need to rebuild your roof and deal with any drainage changes that may have occurred.
4. Adding Solar
You can greatly boost the value of your home in some regions by adding solar panels to your home. By the time you buy the panels and pay for the installation, you may also greatly lower your utility bills.
That being said, solar panels are quite heavy. Securing them puts you at risk for leaks. You may need a new roof and may even need to put down a new decking over your rafters. An engineer can help you make sure your home can handle the weight and stress of solar panels and brackets.
Remodeling your home can be a terrific way to add value and customize the space. If you need more space for a growing family, it may be cheaper than buying another home. Those who want to age in place may need to widen doorways or add an accessible bathroom. An engineer can help you make the best choice for your home.
