A Step in Time Structural Engineers
Structural Engineering Assessments for Contractor Disputes
Contractor disputes involving structural conditions are rarely resolved by competing opinions. A contractor says the work meets code. A homeowner disagrees. A second contractor gives a different assessment. The conversation goes in circles until someone produces documentation with professional engineering authority behind it. Primary government and scientific sources are objective, publicly accessible, and built to withstand scrutiny from insurers, opposing engineers, and courts. They also allow us to identify early when weather data does not support a hail claim, so we can let you know before unnecessary costs are incurred.
A Step in Time Structural Engineering provides independent structural assessments for contractor disputes across Virginia. We assess the structural conditions, document what we find, and produce a PE-stamped engineering report that speaks to the technical questions at the center of the dispute.Primary government and scientific sources are objective, publicly accessible, and built to withstand scrutiny from insurers, opposing engineers, and courts. They also allow us to identify early when weather data does not support a hail claim, so we can let you know before unnecessary costs are incurred.
Common Contractor Disputes We Are Called For
Non-Code Compliant Construction
When work completed by a contractor does not meet applicable building codes, the homeowner needs documentation that identifies the specific code deficiencies and what correction requires. A PE-stamped engineering report is the appropriate format for that documentation, whether it goes to the contractor, a building official, or an attorney.
Disputed Repair Scope
Construction Damage to Adjoining Structures
Improper Structural Repairs
A Real Pattern We See
One of the most common contractor-related assessments we conduct involves joist sistering after termite or water damage. The standard repair for a compromised joist is to sister a full-length new member from bearing point to bearing point. A shortened or partial sister joist is a code violation that leaves the floor system inadequately supported.
When a contractor uses an improper repair method on a structural element, the homeowner cannot always see it. An engineering assessment documents what was done, compares it to code requirements, and provides the written record needed to pursue correction.
What Our Assessment Produces
A contractor dispute structural assessment from A Step in Time Structural Engineering produces a PE-stamped engineering report documenting the structural conditions observed, the applicable code requirements, and our engineering conclusions. That report can be provided to:
- The contractor for correction
- A building official or city inspector
- An attorney for legal proceedings
- A homeowner's insurance carrier where coverage applies
- A court or arbitration proceeding
Mr. Ray Gessner, PE is available to provide expert witness testimony where legal proceedings require it.
FAQs
Can a structural engineer help in a dispute with a contractor?
How is your assessment different from another contractor's opinion?
Do you work with attorneys on contractor dispute cases?
Yes. We regularly provide PE-stamped structural reports and expert witness testimony in contractor dispute litigation across Virginia.
If a contractor dispute involves structural conditions, a PE-stamped engineering assessment from an independent licensed engineer provides the documentation the situation requires. Call (848) 467-7328