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November 20, 2007
Great Structural Engineer and house inspector
A while ago I asked people on this site to recommend a structural engineer. I got several recommendations, and I ended up using Danny Isla www.IslaEngineering.net, 516-220-6200 because he was also recommended on the Park Slope Parents website. I needed Danny to tell me what was causing the sagging in the floor of my house, and also to determine which walls were load-bearing. In order to find that out, he performed a kind of acrobatic climb into what seemed like a perfectly inaccessible and filthy attic (the woman who sold us the house said that no one has gone up there for at least 30 years). After climbing out of there, Danny told me about the walls and the joists. None of the walls we were intending to remove turned out to be structural, and I assumed that since our reno won't involve structural changes, I'd just pay Danny for this one-time visit (he spent at least 45 mins. in my house - telling me about the floors, the crack in the masonry outside and the walls). But he didn't let me pay him - he just said that if I ever needed him down the road, during construction, to call him up. He seemed very knowledgeable - both my architect and I were very impressed with him. I was also impressed that he was undeterred by that attic (our original house inspector declared it unreachable). I encourage you to call Danny Isla - whether it's for a house inspection or for structural work.
And no, I'm not him - post your e-mail address and I'll e-mail you my phone# for a reference.
Comments
Can anyone explain why someone would need to go to an attic to figure out which walls are load bearing? I thought its fairly obvious, what would someone be looking for in the attic?
Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 9:58 AM
Thanks for the nice words, but I don't want readers to think that I don't charge for my services. I didn't bill the client in this case in anticipation of future consultation requirements. Also, to develop a professional relationship with her architect.
The structural components in this house were only visible in the attic area. A review of the ceiling joists in the attic was the only manner to determine which were load-bearing walls without removing sections of plaster in walls in ceilings. I was able to provide the information with minimal destructive probes.
Danny Isla, P.E.
www.IslaEngineering.net
Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 10:20 AM
Yes, I wondered if I would give that impression - sorry Danny.
Posted by: Nura at November 20, 2007 10:55 AM
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