residential structural engineer (Pittsburgh: house, buying, construction)

[Catia]

didn't want to revive an old thread from 2009.

Would like to know of a good structural engineer-want to reinforce some things in a balloon construction home.


This is a DIY project, & need guidance on materials that can be used & how the framing can be done.
Just not gonna go the contractor route for this, spent a few months running around & hurrying for nothing.

problem has been most of the 'structural engineers' I've googled & called all work for foundation specialists & are trying to sell bsmt systems...
Some want $600 more just to show up & more $$ for a consult!!!
Not interested in buying anyone's products, just want someone who can look at it, do some load calcs & explain some diff framing options & materials so I can move forward & DIY. Everything is opened up & ready to go. I'm already pretty sure my own ideas are fine & to code, I'm not removing, just bbeefing up--just want some additional assurance & guidance.

[guy2073]

GP Lam® Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL). It will be hard to get someone to give advice. There but will be on the line if something goes bad. Georgia pacific has a few good downloads that will help you out.

[Catia]

Um, I am specifically looking for a structural engineer that is familiar with balloon framing.
Want him to look at it & give info & opinion.

LOL they get paid because their butt is on the line--it's their job to know--that's what they do.
problem is I keep getting these foundation companies.

I'm just beefing up my existing structure for my own piece of mind & to make 1 repair.
Not because I am adding anything. I just like overkill--helps me sleep at night.

House is standing strong, & uninsulated, so while I've got it open & have to fur out for adequate insulation, I want to add some 'beef' & this is the 1st phase, a few years from now I want to change door arrangement, so don't want to do anything that will require more work when that happens, & want to know what my best options would be now--since there is a clear view of the 'innerds' now.

[guy2073]

In your first post it sounded like 600 was too much to pay, since you are doing it yourself i just gave you a link were you can design everything from common engineer specs.

Capstone out of wexford is a company that i used in the past, but you will be over the 600 by the time they are done.

You can also upgrade to spray foam and not fir out the walls.

[Catia]

$600 is too much to pay for an hour of time.

I'm not asking for house plans, but with the small size of this house & being balloon construction, I want to be sure to do it right, use the right fasteners in the right places, not adding load where it shouldn't be etc...

If I could find a good framer--or an old timer carpenter, I'd trust that too--but every contractor that has shown up has been a hack. And there's a bunch of 'no shows', & a few of the 'this job is too small for me'--I'm sick of the contractors, I'm sick of people trying to sell me crap, I just want to beef up & my house while it's gutted.

Believe me, I've bee thru the wringer since February trying to get this done, after many 'fall throughs'--I have decided it is DIY--any moron can nail 2 pieces of wood together--doesn't mean it's done right.

My grandfather was a real carpenter, my uncle an engineer--if they were alive today I'd not be asking on the forum cuz it'd be finished, done right & I'd have no worries.
house is tiny 600 sq ft, I just want to be finished & move in already.

[zipman]

I used Chris Kim of House and Building Engineering. Found him through Angies List. Chris is less expensive than his father Roy.

Business Description: Owner operated. Uses subs for drafting. Charges an hourly rate of $100. Travel charges apply. Lic #023415-e.

House & Building Engineering | Pittsburgh, PA 15229 | Angies List

[guy2073]

I sent you a message

[soundthealarm]

I'm in just about the same predicament with balloon framing except I apparently need plans drawn up since I live in the city limits and renovating.

[Catia]

Soundthealarm--you have my *empathy*, been there.

Plans aren't a bad thing when it's balloon construction & you're changing things up--balloons are wonderful for many reasons, & total turds for others...Everything seems so much more dependent on everything else, in some (many) even the sheathing is part of the structural entity.

[guy2073]

Sheathing plays a large part in balloon framing, that is why every one of your headers is undersized. The sheathing keeps the structure from sagging.

When it is open fireblocking should be added.