Can my floor handle it?

[Gill Blue]

A good contractor should know enough to give an educated opinion, with a structurual engineer likely being a better choice if you can afford their services.

Absolutely. Their services will be much cheaper than any potential damage. I'd get the opinion of an expert for anything over 125.

yup. that's what I did.

 

[Jesseliu13]

yup. that's what I did.

How much was it to hire a structural engineer for you?

 

[Gill Blue]

total was 1200$. structural review, 2 concrete pads, 2 6"x6" pillars, and a 6"x12" beam in a 2' high crawlspace. no idea how much it would be for just the engineer, I knew going in I needed/wanted re-enforcement.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; About four years ago, in the strong part of the economic down turn, I hired a structural engineer off the books to look at a a particular house issue and give a verbal opinion. He did not have to do an official written report, just an opinion based on a look see. It took less than two hours including drive time and he agreed to take $100 cash. I basically floated the cash with no legal down side for liability with the understanding that I was not going to be able to pay him to do an inspection with a written report. He even jotted down some ideas about how to address the issue.

Unless you have difficult access like a small crawl space it may be possible to make a deal that you can afford.
Good luck

 

[skjl47]

Hello; About four years ago, in the strong part of the economic down turn, I hired a structural engineer off the books to look at a a particular house issue and give a verbal opinion. He did not have to do an official written report, just an opinion based on a look see. It took less than two hours including drive time and he agreed to take $100 cash. I basically floated the cash with no legal down side for liability with the understanding that I was not going to be able to pay him to do an inspection with a written report. He even jotted down some ideas about how to address the issue.

Unless you have difficult access like a small crawl space it may be possible to make a deal that you can afford.
Good luck

Hello; One additional point. Doing it this way you may lose the ability for legal recourse later if things do not work out as you will not have a contract. I was looking to buy a place and only wanted to have an idea about what I would be getting into with a needed repair. I walked away from that house. Even with an engineer, looking is not the same as testing and measuring.
Good luck