Welcome to A Step in Time Structural Engineering

At A Step in Time, we bring over two decades of structural engineering experience to every project. Whether you need a certified inspection for your deck, balcony, chimney, roofing.

Ray Gessner

Founder and CEO, A Step in Time

Raymond Gessner is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of A Step in Time, a leading home services company specializing in structural, deck, balcony inspections along with chimney, roofing, foundation, and insurance claim inspections. Since founding the company in 1998, Ray has been at the helm, guiding its growth and innovation across multiple states. Under his leadership, A Step in Time has earned a reputation for technical excellence, customer trust, and a commitment to code-compliant inspections and repairs.

25+

Years of Excellence Since 1998

Licensed Professional Engineer

Ray is licensed in Virginia and Maryland. We have DPOR licenses as a Class A contractor, professional engineer and Engineering business entity.

Our Services

Since founding the company in 1998, we’ve delivered top-tier solutions backed by over 25 years of expertise. Our services are designed to meet the evolving needs of our clients with precision and reliability.

Unbiased Foundation Assessments

Ray is licensed in Virginia and Maryland. We have DPOR licenses as a Class A contractor, professional engineer and Engineering business entity.

Roof Damage Insurance Specialist

Dealing with roof damage can be overwhelming—navigating the insurance process doesn’t have to be. As a Roof Damage Insurance Specialist, we advocate on your behalf to ensure…

Residential Inspections

Residential foundation inspections. A homeowner encounters unlevel floors, doors not properly opening and closing or cracks in exterior brick or foundation wall.The contact a foundation contractor to come and give a free opinion.

Got some questions? The following are frequently asked questions we get asked about.

What is a structural engineer?

Structural engineers help in the design process in buildings and structures, designing them to withstand stresses and pressures such as weather and human use. They work in close partnership with architects and builders. Learn More

Why would I need a structural survey?

What is construction management?

What is a structural inspection?

Construction and Engineering — News and Insights.

View recent Construction and Engineering product announcements, updates, and more.

How Residential Structural Inspections Differ for Historic Homes

Virginia has some of the United States’ finest and most historic homes. From farmhouses dating back to the 18th century to elegant brick colonials

Why Structural Inspections are of Great Importance for Virginia Homeowners

Whether you’re buying a new home in Virginia or relocating to an existing one, homeowners need to ensure their home is structurally sound. It

When Do You Require a Structural Engineer Rather Than a Building Inspector?

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, nearly 1 in 4 homes in the United States is vulnerable to structural damage from natural

What our client are saying about us

To successfully solve all the issues related to construction, we have established longterm and stable partnerships with various clients

Pam Overby

I can not say enough about Ray’s experience level, and overall outstanding service!! All the team’s customers support personnel consistently worked very well to support me and gave a stella performance – leaving me with a VERY favorable lasting impression!!, TOP Performing in his field of structural engineering, Ray went above and beyond the call of duty -exceeding my expectations.

Carl Krutzsch

I was in need of an inspection from a structural engineer and I was truly impressed with the quick response from Ray! He was very thorough and detailed with the issues I have with my house. I was also given a great price for the repairs! If you have any structural questions about your house, call these guys!!

Randy Thomas

Ray Gessner of A Step in Time did a awesome service for my company on a big project. I sought his expertise for a structural engineering issue on my project. While I was fairly confident that everything would be okay, I still wanted the advice and consultation of a professional. Ray and his company was the answer.

Regina Marscheider

A Step In Time is tops in its field!!! Ray Gessner, owner, is honest, fair and dependable! I highly recommend their services!