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April 16, 2009
How to find an engineer
My husband and I made an offer on an apartment in a building that was built in 1893 and it was accepted.
We now need to find an engineer, any suggestions?
Comments
why would you need an engineer?
Posted by: karo25 at April 16, 2009 3:19 PM
to inspect the building before we go to contract. Looking to make sure the building is structurally sound, etc.
Posted by: growingMoss at April 16, 2009 3:21 PM
This topic was just discussed here take a look: http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2009/04/can_you_recomme_4.php
Posted by: BrookBry at April 16, 2009 3:35 PM
I am no expert, but when I bought a coop, my lawyer inspected the finances and the bank sent someone to inspect the building. I did not have my own inspector. For a house, of course, it's a different story.
Before getting into contract, you should ask when the roof and boiler were replaced, how much they have in reserve, whether they expect any assessments, and look to see if the building seems decently maintained.
Posted by: mopar at April 16, 2009 4:00 PM
I second mopar. Reason why I asked in the first place. Your lawyer should take care of the details like that and the back and forth with the bank. The title company will be involved as well, you shouldn't look for your own guy.
Posted by: karo25 at April 16, 2009 4:03 PM
The board may or may not allow you to inspect roof and mechanical systems.
Having said that, try mdrerup@exponent.com . If he won't handle it, ask him if his wife will (she's a structural engineer)
mopar makes good points concerning what to look for. I'd also carefully inspect the facade with binoculars if this is an older building.
Posted by: denton at April 16, 2009 4:29 PM
How big is the building? Co-op? Condo? When we bought into a 4-unit brownstone co-op, we used an inspector -- we looked at the apartment, the roof and the cellar, as well as the exterior. We also looked at board minutes and 2 years of financials for issues like repair expenses and reserve funds. No old building is perfect; you want to know if you have a responsible board taking care of maintenance and repair issues, that there are no looming enormous expenses, and that there are adequate reserves. Not a bad idea to spring for an inspector and get to know the building a little better. But if the building is really big, your share of any looming issues is much smaller. Repair history and erserve may be enough.
Posted by: slopefarm at April 16, 2009 4:35 PM
It is not a coop, it is a condo. Does that make a difference?
Posted by: growingMoss at April 16, 2009 4:35 PM
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