structural engineer
Right now I’m checking out a building in Bushwick that’s just what I’ve been looking for and seems to be a steal. I’d like to have a structural engineer check the place out with me, and if he doesn’t think it’s in danger of falling down I plan to buy. Any recommendations for a professional…
Right now I’m checking out a building in Bushwick that’s just what I’ve been looking for and seems to be a steal. I’d like to have a structural engineer check the place out with me, and if he doesn’t think it’s in danger of falling down I plan to buy. Any recommendations for a professional but reasonably priced engineer? Any help is appreciated.
Oh hey, I’m also in Bushwick and looking for a place in Bushwick. Good luck!
I have also used Joe. My recollection is that he is a mechanical engineer, not a structural engineer.
Generally, when you are buying a building, you want to get a licensed inspector (which Joe is). He should be able to tell you if the building is falling down and if there are plumbing, electrical, masonry, window problems. If you suspect something more complex involving the structure, you would hire a structural engineer separately.
I also recently used Tim Curran of Safe Haven and would highly recommend him for anyone who is inspecting an older house they intend to restore. He’s a certified inspector, not an engineer, was a GC and has rehabbed his own Brooklyn brownstone. He does not wave a finger around and say it’s a teardown just because something is old. He will tell you much more specifically what needs to be done. 718-745-6517 or 917-450-8230.
I used Joe- he was very thorough, and provided a great writeup. I would say he was very reasonably priced.
One note:
I also had structural concerns, but he did not specifically comment on those as most structural issues will need a contractor and engineer to assess, and the problems with joists/headers/beams are probably not apparent until you open the walls/ceilings.
I can recommend from first hand experience:
Joseph Pasaturo
AVT Enterprises – Engineers and Consultants
718 720 5088
http://www.avtinspect.com
They did three inspections for me back in 2005 and helped me run away from one place that was very badly built. They explained everything as they went and answered questions post-inspection quickly.
They are not the cheapest and that’s a good thing for a structural engineer.