How often are engineers needed for rehabbing properties

[Jorge Borjas]

In the property rehabbing and house flipping world, how often is an engineer needed to sign off on some of the more intricate or delicate rehab scenarios? Can a contractor handle most structural issues, or is it good to have an engineer handy?

[Mike F.]

Originally posted by @Jorge Borjas:

In the property rehabbing and house flipping world, how often is an engineer needed to sign off on some of the more intricate or delicate rehab scenarios? Can a contractor handle most structural issues, or is it good to have an engineer handy?

 Statistically, almost never. Engineers are typically required when something is structural. 99.99% of rehabs don't involve structural changes, but if yours does such as opening up a kitchen by removing a load bearing wall, or adding an addition or moving beams, putting in a window that wasn't there, then you'll need one. Very rare that a GC would be an engineer and wouldn't have to hire one for a stamped letter to give to the building dept. The building dept really will have the final say in the matter and this could vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. I've completed over 1000 remodels and have needed an engineer once.