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Are you looking to make home improvements or determine the structural stability of your home? If you are, you may be wondering if you need the services of a NJ home Inspector or a NJ structural engineer. There are significant differences in what each profession can and cant do. It is important to understand these differences prior to hiring anyone.
Home Inspections and Inspectors in New Jersey
When you request an inspection from a home inspector in New Jersey, the home inspector should be licensed with the state of New Jersey and properly insured. The licensing requirements include 180 hours of education prior to obtaining a home inspectors license and 40 of those hours must be unpaid time with a licensed home inspector in the field. Home Inspectors are also subject to continuing education requirements.
Home inspectors visually examine the interior and exterior or residential homes and buildings. This includes any visible plumbing pipes, the HVAC system, roof, attic, crawlspace, foundation and basement. If the items are hidden behind drywall or other finishes, the home inspector cannot inspect it. This is because home inspectors do not perform destructive tests, like pulling up floorboards or carpets and cutting through drywall. Home inspectors are governed by the New Jersey Standards of Practice which indicate what they must do, can do, and cannot do. Some home inspectors also belong to professional organization which may have more stringent requirements than the NJ Standards of Practice. Additional Information about the Regulations governing Home Inspectors in NJ can be found here: http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/hom/Pages/default.aspx
Engineering Inspections with Licensed Engineers in New Jersey
NJ structural engineers are required to have a degree in engineering, pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, 4 Years of Experience, and pass the Professional Engineer Exam to be licensed with the state. NJ engineers can also be home inspectors if they obtain the proper licensing.
Once the engineer has all of his or her credentials, they can perform tasks that home inspectors cannot, like destructive testing, which can involve testing masonry and concrete and cutting through drywall and other finishes in order to visually observe the structural components of the building. Engineers can also perform engineering analysis and design to determine the structural capacity of existing construction. This is useful for determining if a supporting beam can handle the existing weight of the structure or any planned additions or renovations.
Hiring a NJ Structural Engineer
When you need a structural engineer, think Structural Workshop LLC in New Jersey. Our NJ structural engineers provide numerous services to help you determine if your residential home or multi-family building is safe and what types of materials are needed when it comes to performing repairs on existing structural supports and performing extensive renovations.
To learn more about the services of our NJ structural engineer and to schedule an engineering observation of your residential home or multi-unit building, call us at 973-771-6970.