Looking for a structural engineer to assess townhouse in Brooklyn. Can anyone recommend one? Thank you.

Looking for a structural engineer to assess townhouse in Brooklyn.  Building is leaning, so want to know how severe it is. Can anyone recommend one? Thank you.

basementbound

in Architecture 12 years and 10 months ago

2

Please log in, in order to post replies!

2 replies

Newest Oldest

m926bk | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5027 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5006 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "28266"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "m926bk"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "megan"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "gymmeg23@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/m926bk/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:35:07"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "megan"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(28266)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You will want a structural engineer who specializes in historic buildings.  Donald Friedman of Old Structures Engineering, Rodney Gibble, or Robert Silman are some suggestions. A restoration architect or contractor could offer some advice as well, but a good one would want to consult with a structural engineer anyway in a case of major leaning.

brucef | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5026 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5025 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "4724"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "brucef"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BBW3UzNM8B1w6uproJMdiiw1vnHriz1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "brucef"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "bruce@jerseydata.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/brucef/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:13:36"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "brucef"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(4724)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

For those of you out there who have read my rant previously, excuse the repetition. Although it would seem logical to consult with a structural engineer regarding your questions, in NYC different trades have different job descriptions than are obvious. I have dealt with various structural engineers, but they tend to be the least imaginative and helpful lot. This trade has morphed into a CYA division for architects. They live in fear that something they sign off on falls down, so uber-expensive solutions that someone else pays for (you) are the norm. Recent code changes have made previously reasonable solutions that worked for decades un-approveable. So I am not sure who to recommend, but none of the professionals I deal with. Search for an older mason, disinterested contractor or architect. If you want forensic expertise for a legal battle, hire a structural engineer. PS if the house has a specific failure, a structural engineer should be able to spec an approveable solution. general guidance, forget it.