Why Do I need an Engineer?

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ENGINEER AS IT RELATES TO THE USER's SPECIFIC PROJECT OR CASE.

Fact Scenario:

A home owner may need to build a car port, patio roof, add a room or renovate a house, repair damaged roof and beams, remove or reduce the size of a wall, column, a beam to expand a kitchen, bathroom, living room, or raise a ceiling in a bedroom, and may want to determine if such roof, patio, kitchen, bathroom expansion or renovations may be accomplished by removing few roof trusses, or remove/modify walls, posts, or beams to open the space. In certain circumstances homeowners  would like to remove a column, and in some cases, create an access opening in  a wall, or construct a tray ceiling in the bedroom. 

Safety of the residents is of primary concern to a professional engineer and our firm.        

A home owner may have design ideas to renovate a home that will need structural modifications creating a need of an expert's opinion such as an engineer or an architect. Few owners may be under the impression that by calling an engineer and talking on the phone and explaining what their plans are in renovating their home, that the engineer will provide a professional opinion on the spot instantaneously without having to either inspect and analyze the house structure, and review certain existing structural plans and conditions such as height and layout of certain walls, roofs, foundations, deck, trusses, or beams,  and review drawings showing how the house structure was built.In lay men terms, a qualified ethical engineer more than likely will not offer a recommendation or an opinion over the phone or not to mention on the spot without first performing engineering fiduciary duties including on site investigation, evaluation of existing conditions as described above. It is as if you ask your accountant to tell you if you are going to owe taxes at the end of the year or not without your income or expenses reported.Or if you ask a graphic designer to provide a graphic design based on a 15-30 minutes discussion with the client. A professional engineer or any other professional need to follow a set of rules and regulations related to their industry. There is no guess work in engineering or a simple problem to be solved. Otherwise the home owner can determine on their own how to deal with renovations and existing situations, and decide for example that a wall is non bearing, then remove it to find out they have a sagging roof or a collapse. Thus, they need an expert's opinion and advice.

So, the accountant will need to review your income, all your assets and liabilities, tax deductions and credits, among other items, and tabulate a tax return and all relevant forms and tax documents before he can answer such question.

Homeowners in general are laypersons who do not understand construction and the process of engaging a contractor, an engineer or architect to prepare drawings.

Homeowners also have a tendency to contact a contractor and ask their opinion on such renovation matters. Homeowners in some cases may elect to proceed with house renovations

without first obtaining a construction permit. Some reasoning are, but not limited to: It takes too long to get a permit, or I did not know that I need a permit for a bathroom remodeling, and the 

list goes on and on.  If the renovation involves work within the scope of duty of the contractor, then that should be permissible, however, a permit needs to be issued and some contractors will offer

opinions that are beyond their scope of duty ( such as no you don't need a permit, or yes need a permit and you can remove a wall, no, you can not add a tray ceiling, and list is

long), then what is happening is that the contractor more than likely, will provide opinions that are favorable to the home owner, so that

their motivation is financially driven or strictly driven by taking the Job and making a profit. The contractor if licensed may have committed false misrepresentation, Fraud, or negligence in breaching

his or her duty of due care, causing the owner to rely on his/her representations to their detriment that may or may not be true, and such reliance

by the homeowner may cause damages, in more than one way. The contractor under these circumstances may be practicing engineering or architecture without a license, but

also rendering expert opinions he or she is not legally authorized to provide under Florida Statutes.

Some home owners will say: " I Just want you to Look at it" , it will take you 10 minutes. This is NOT necessarily true, nothing

takes 10 or 15 minutes except a quick run to Mc Donalds, or for example putting gas in your car. An engineer does not 

have X Ray vision nor do engineers have a crystal ball. The work of an engineer is scientific and analytical in nature employing

detailed mathematical calculations, scientific data based on facts not just Hypothetical incomplete information, and must be based

on engineering knowledge which took years of study at a college or a University, with complex math, physics, and engineering courses.

After the analysis and study is substantially completed, the engineer will need to prepare drawings to scale not only to communicate to the contractor

the method, materials and process required to perform the work, but also that the drawings and specifications must meet a complex and changing Florida Building Code. 

Therefore, and in the best interest of the owner's safety and engineer's fiduciary duty, that the engineer performs his/her due diligence in carrying out engineering duties

such as but not limited to: site investigation and consultation with clients, design or repair drawings, cost analysis, engineering analysis, feasibility study and evaluations to arrive at the desired goal of the home owner.

(A)Example of an engineering feasibility study to either expand an existing Load Bearing wall opening, or remove a non load-bearing or load-bearing interior wall- Columns:

Narrative:

Homeowner notices that a house built in 1980's outside front atrium 22 feet  x 22 feet sloped roof and supporting wood beams have sagged due to structural damage.

The sagging/damaged wood beams at a 4:12 slope ( approximate size:2.5"W x 10"-11" Ht.) must be shored or supported with temporary shoring to avoid an imminent

collapse or detrimental structural damage to property and/or human life. As such the engineer advise and recommend to contact a general contractor and immediately 

install temporary shoring based on engineering shoring plan. We contacted AA Construction

Gary Ansley Phone #954-914-9780 and he stated he will plan on meeting you tomorrow to look at the beams and provide a bid

estimate or cost to install such shoring system to temporarily support the sagging beams ( approx. 6-8 beams) at front roof cover.

While we were looking at the beams, it appears that a repair was done previously by installing wedges of wood and 1 x 10 wood side plates 

along the section of covered beam ( approximate length= +- 10-12 feet which is below the covered portion of the roof. The beams 

in question must be investigated for further analysis by removing the side plates and performing a structural assessment of the 

existing condition of each affected beam by a structural engineer. The client or property owner is advised  not access the area below the damaged beams and

roof in question until temporary shoring is installed and repair or replacement of the damaged beams and sagging roof and roof deck, tiles are completed.

All work shall be in accordance with 2017 Florida Building Code.

The roof is in imminent danger of collapse! due to apparent cracks, signs of distress, sagging and other structural issues.

The purpose of the shoring is to safely support a structurally deficient structure such as ( balcony, roof, beams, slabs, etc) until repairs are performed.

The steps summary to remedy the issue with the sagging roof and failing support wood beams are as follows:

Step #1: Install temporary shoring to support sagging beams based on an engineering shoring plan;

Step #2: Investigation & report of the existing structural condition of each affected sagging beam, roof and general measurements;

Step#3: Prepare engineering structural drawings for (2) options to remedy the beam damage/issue; Options (A) and (B);

Option (A): Engineering repair drawings and specifications to repair such sagging beams, and associated deck and roof tiles;

Option (B): Engineering drawings and specifications to replace such sagging beams with new beams, and associated connection, deck and roof tiles;

Options ( A or B) will be based on the outcome of steps 1 through 3, as well as Client budget and time frame.

As for a quick summary proposal, we are prepared to provide the shoring plan and structural inspection and report for roof beam(s) integrity investigation

as follows:

Step #1: Prepare temporary shoring plan to support sagging beams, structural calculations and engineering shoring /drawings;

Fees: (7) hours x $165 / hour = $1,155.00

Engineering Tasks " Shoring Plan":

1. Initial Site visit to look at roof and beams discuss and consult with and educate client in process and explain steps to remedy the problem ( include travel); (1.00 hours).

2. Travel from office to site and back; (1.00 hours).

3. Conferences with contractors and client ( emails) to describe problem and explore solutions; (0.50 hours).

4. Prepare draft proposals and conference calls with client to explain proposal and describe the step by step process and work performed by an engineer; ( 0.50 hours).

5. Draft and sign engineering contract with client;

6. Meet with engineering staff and discuss project details and delegate duties ( engineer, engineer assistant and draftsman); ( 0.75 hours).

7. Perform onsite detailed measurements of the roof and beams for preparation of floor plan and elevation to show temporary shoring, includes travel; ( 2.50 hours).

8. Prepare a rough sketch, layout shoring posts based on load distribution ( analysis of dead and live loads, wind load per 2017 FBC); ( 1.50 hours).

9. Structural calculations for total factored loads, imposed on roof deck, transfer mathematically loads to support beams, reactions, columns. ( 3.50-5.0 hours).

and support side walls. Calculate bending moment, shear stress, reactions and deflections; choose size of shoring and support beams, spacing

and base anchor details, post anchor details to top beams;

10. Review final drawing and calculations, revise or amend as necessary ( front and back check); (2.0 hours).

11. Copy shoring plan and sign and seal (2) sets;

12. Engineer or assistant to contact client and contractor, meet on site to discuss and explain the shoring plan; ( 1.50 hours).

13. Contractor to prepare a bid estimate for materials and labor to purchase and install the temporary roof shoring system; Engineer to Inspect shoring system to insure 

compliance with approved shoring plan, recommend changes if deficiencies are detected or found.

Anticipated Engineering Hours: 14.75 to 16.25 hours ( average engineering time, however this time period may vary from project to project).

Step #2: Engineering inspection, investigation & report of the existing structural condition of each affected sagging wood beam, roof deck, roofing tiles, field measurements

and engineering evaluation including findings, analysis and recommendations;

Fees: (10) hours x $165/ hour = $1,650.00.

Engineering Tasks " Structural investigation cause and effect":

1. Initial Site visit to look at roof and beams discuss and consult with and educate client in process and explain steps to remedy the problem ( include travel); (1.00 hours).

2. Travel from office to site and back; (1.00 hours).

3. Conferences with contractors and client ( emails) to describe problem and explore solutions; (0.50 hours).

4. Prepare draft proposals and conference calls with client to explain proposal and describe the step by step process and work performed by an engineer; ( 0.50 hours).

5. Draft and sign engineering contract with client;

6. Meet with engineering staff and discuss project details and delegate duties ( engineer, engineer assistant and draftsman); ( 0.75 hours).

7. Perform onsite detailed measurements of the roof and beams for preparation of  a report to determine the percent damage of existing beams, roof deck, roof tiles, 

connections and support columns or walls, includes travel. This data can be retrieved from step #1 work by the engineer; ( 0.50 hours).

8. Review the rough sketch, layout shoring posts based on load distribution ( analysis of dead and live loads, wind load per 2017 FBC), include data gathered during beam and structural

investigation with percent damage in floor plan and analyze possible solutions based on damage assessment; ( 1.50 hours).

9. Prepare a report. review structural calculations for total factored loads, imposed on roof deck, transfer mathematically loads to support beams, reactions, columns. ( 4.0 hours).

and support side walls. prepare a report with findings and recommendations, for a repair or replacement beam, deck, and calculate bending moment, shear stress, reactions and deflections for new beams or spliced beams; choose size of connections for uplift wind pressure to meet 2017 FBC requirements, review tile roof NOA specifications ( 18-23 pages), determine if it meets code, prepare and submit inspection report package.

and base anchor details, post anchor details to top beams;

10. Review final report and any related drawings and calculations, revise or amend as necessary ( front and back check); (1.0 hours).

11. Copy report and attachments and sign and seal (2) sets;

12. Engineer or assistant to contact client and contractor, meet on site to discuss and explain the report findings; ( 1.50 hours).

13. Discuss with property owner and contractor alternative repair and/or replacement options.

Anticipated Engineering Hours: 12.25 hours ( average engineering time, however this time period may vary from project to project).

Step #3: Engineering drawings and technical specifications for repair and/or replacement of beams, support columns, roof deck, overhang and tile details, base sheet, nail and screw connections

and details, connection details, uplift pressure data, general notes   ( site plan, floor and roof plan, cross sections ( 2 views), 4-elevations, details and connections.)

Drawings - Intellectual Proprietary rights protected- For Information and Illustration purposes only. Copy of drawings is prohibited.

('C) See Sample below for a client who needed to know if he can modify his ceiling to create a tray ceiling effect in a bedroom:

Per our conversations by phone your main objective is to determine whether you can modify your existing roof structure to accommodate a tray ceiling in the living room and other spaces(s) as you explained.

I understood that your architect stated that due to your roof slope which is 3:12 and the fact in his opinion that the truss slope will not allow you to modify the trusses in order to create a tray ceiling effect without performing structural analysis may be questionable. I mentioned to you that an opinion based on a hunch or hypothetical scenario may not be the best approach in reaching a decision regarding the tray ceiling objective. You also mentioned that you spoke to a truss company and they even gave the same opinion as the architect but without performing a due diligence in reaching an opinion.

As I explained to you by phone as a structural engineer I will not be able to provide an opinion on the spot without review of a roof and truss plan, performing a truss inspection, and further performing structural calculations to determine if your existing trusses can or may be modified to receive a tray ceiling geometry without any detrimental effects which may compromise the structural integrity of your roof.

Therefore the best approach without spending excessive amount of money is to:

1. Engage an engineer who is qualified as a structural engineer to offer an opinion based on sound engineering feasibility study ;

2. The engineering study will be brief and preliminary in nature limited to review and brief analysis of existing truss drawings showing truss span, height slope, profile end bearing including span, wood member sizes, wood connection details, plate connector sizes, number and size of nails, end uplift straps or hurricane connectors, deck size, type and nailing pattern and size, roof tiles to calculate dead, live and wind loads so that tension and compression forces including stresses and bending moments are calculated for purposes to determine if such trusses can or can not be modified ,

3. As part of the review process information gathered during the field site inspection will be used in analysis of the trusses under item (2) above ;

4. Once the preliminary feasibility study is concluded and a reasonable determination is reached, a meeting may be scheduled to explain findings to the client and contractor including the architect if such findings alter the Design depicted by the architectural drawings and if findings are favorable that a structural plan will need to be developed by the engineer showing details and section drawings necessary for performance of the work including a shoring plan to support all roof loads during the truss and roof modification process. The structural drawings will need to show sufficient information not only to comply with a complicated florida building code but also to show the roof contractor with clarity and information necessary to allow the roofing contractor an adequate modification of the roof trusses and finish materials including provisions to provide space for AC ducts, electrical conduits, light fixtures and any other requirements by the architect - and owner ;

The first step while keeping the cost of engineering low is to perform preliminary analysis of the roof and trusses as explained under items 1,2 and 3.

Subject to the outcome of preliminary, analysis, study and findings, the engineer may have information reasonably sufficient to either proceed with construction drawings of the roof, trusses and modification details or ultimately reach a decision that such alteration or modification to the roof trusses in order to create the tray ceiling is not only cost prohibitive but complex in nature and impossible to be done.

Therefore based on an engineer professional hourly rate of $145 per hour, the minimum fee for field site inspection of the roof trusses and consultation with the client is $250.00. 

Preliminary analysis provided existing truss drawings are available to the engineer will take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours on the condition truss drawings have sufficient information as described above, and field data gathered during a site inspection will allow the engineer to perform the necessary analysis . The engineer reserves the right to bill client for additional hours should the truss drawings not have sufficient information causing the engineer to perform additional services which may result in engineering time exceeding the estimated 2-4 hours limitation.

The cost of preparing structural drawings is not known at this time until a preliminary feasibility study is concluded.

Should you as the client agree to engage the services of the engineer to provide services outlined under items 1,2,3 and 4, we will prepare an engineering services agreement including scope of work, terms, fees and conditions for your consideration. We recommend if you are agreeable to the terms and conditions stated above to start with consultation and feasibility study at a cost of $540.00 ( $250 initial fee plus 2 hours at $145 per hour, but in the event the engineer spends 4 hours then an additional charge of $290 will be made and client agrees to pay the additional fee), but please note that if you only agree to the site inspection and consultation for a maximum of up to one hour at a fee if $250, that the engineer will not guarantee an answer with high degree of certainty that a tray ceiling can or cannot be created as invisioned by the owner "client", and the engineer will not be liable for preliminary conclusions subject to analysis and feasibility study recommendation that was not performed.

In the event that the results by the engineer are favorable and a tray ceiling can be achieved then engineer will credit the client an amount of $250.00 to the contract price for the preparation of truss and roof construction drawings to include tray ceiling modification or alteration.

A signed contract and a retainer will be required prior to engaging engineering services.

Please advise if you agree or disagree with any terms and conditions stated above so that we may schedule an inspection subject to the engineers schedule and approaching thanksgiving holiday.

Engineer: John Doe, PE.

John Doe

('D) See Sample below for a client who needed to know if she can modify the existing 1-1/2 Car garage to 2 Car garage by removing (2) walls inside tha garage:

A home owner wants to explore if the the 2 walls are bearing or none bearing and needs a professional engineer to perform such investigation without the use of existing drawings.

In order to accomplish this task while keeping the cost of engineering to a minimum, A Consultation and cursory site inspection is the best alternative.

A consultation by an engineer includes the following tasks:

1. Brief explanation of the several steps needed to perform the study:

2. A site inspection of the 2 walls in question and visual observation and evaluation of the existing roof, trusses or various structural members if in fact

being supported by the 2 walls for purposes of determining if such walls were found conclusively as bearing or none bearing;

3.Discussion with home owner the outcome of the inspection and options if the walls are found bearing or none bearing, (2) possible outcomes;

4. Prepare one page summary report and forward to home owner.

5. Discuss with home owner their options based on inspection results and associated engineer's scope, time frame and fees.

6. Total estimate or cost of the physical job will be excluded from the scope for consultation as there are many unknowns for the project until phases II and III are completed.

Reference Phase I steps and procedures for details of the engineer's scope under this phase.

Home Owner typical questions:

If we proceed with the $500 site evaluation, what does that include? Is it an oral or written assessment? Does it summarize the requirements and equally as important, will it provide a ballpark estimate of the total cost of the physical job, not just the engineering fees? That will determine if we can afford the project. 

If we proceed, what is your availability to come out and examine the situation? Both my husband and I would like to be here. Would a Saturday afternoon be possible?

Brief Answers:

The consultation is both oral and written assessment, see items 1-6 above.

What does " summarize requirements" mean, elaborate or explain further?

Total estimate or cost of the physical job will be excluded from the scope for consultation as there are many unknowns for the project until phases II and III are completed.

Engineer's staff back log at any time is between 7-14 days subject to project's load at the time client express their intention to proceed with site assessment

and consultation. CEC does not work on Saturdays or Sundays, only Monday to Friday.