Structural engineer to inspect 4-family building?

You mention construction next door. Is the purpose of you wanting an inspection for possible litigation? Or is it that you feel you need a punch list for a maintenance management plan going forward? Or for some other reason? As “brucef” points out there are many “engineers” out there willing to take your money, completely mislead you and cause legitimate contractors a royal pain…! Depending the reason why you want an engineer inspection, I would recommend different professionals. If it is potential litigation, consult an attorney that specializes in construction litigation, they will refer someone that they work with and can see the whole process through. If it is that you want a maintenance plan, a local masonry contractor that specializes in 100 year old buildings, that again as “brucef” states is not hungry for work, is your best bet. The bottom line is you can pay 3 different “engineers” for an inspection and you will get 3 completely different ideas. E.G. A client of mine (20 years ago) wanted a structural engineering inspection done of a 150+ year brick filled frame house in Clinton Hill historic district. It was a disaster before the guy even got inside the house. As he walked from his car he states all this wood (clapboard) should be replaced with aluminum for easier maintenance and less fire risk! The prior owner had just done an award winning historic restoration with cedar siding. The “engineer” went on; the front porch (also wood) should be taken off and replaced with a composite that will not rot or catch fire. There was nothing structurally wrong with this house, but by the end of this inspection you would think it was about to fall down and combust at any moment. Luckily my client tore up his report and has lived happily in his cedar clapboard house, held up with the original tree trunk posts in the basement and the “leaking” stone foundations, that according to the engineer should be replaced with pored concrete foundations. The stone foundations have never leaked, it sits on the top of Clinton Hill. I could go on with many other examples. Unfortunately you ask a professional in, they will find work. But more importantly I have yet to find one that will tell you that they do not know anything about 100 + year old construction, when they should if they were “professional”.

I seem to repeat this rant/explanation every other month or so. If this was any other locality in USA (not NYC), your question would be reasonable, well considered, and a common sense response to your disquiet regarding your home. However NYC is like mismatch sock day at school. Structural engineers in NYC are a specific sub-specialty required in many construction projects. Actually I misspoke. They are not required by code, in that architects are trained and supposed to be capable of the calculations and design for brownstone projects. In this “afraid of your shadow” hysteria, it is easier for an architect to require a consultation and submission of structural drawings by a… structural engineer. Ca-ching! To justify their fees and show off their fancy, arcane “insider” knowledge, the SE’s devise expensive, elaborate solutions created to line their pockets. Having no field expertise, they wouldn’t know a solution if it bit them. SO the answer to your question is you should be seeking an architect, not an SE. Unfortunately my comment above regarding lack of field expertise applies just as much. What you really want is a mason contractor (if your building is masonry) who you like and IS NOT LOOKING FOR THE JOB. Getting a consultation with a trade person you trust and knows up front there’s no job at the end of the rainbow, is in NYC your best bet.