Residential Engineering Solutions

Structural assessments, foundation inspections, and engineering reports for homes and residential properties.

Overview

A home is the most significant investment most people will make. Cole Engineering employs two (2) Professionally Licensed Engineers that review and collaborate on all residential projects. One P.E. performs the reconnaissance site visit and reports, then a second P.E. reviews the observations and conclusions for coherency. Even though the fee covers the rate of one engineer, our service includes the expertise of two.

If there are structural deficiencies found, a licensed structural engineer has the expertise to design and detail repairs which are compliant with the current building code. Cracks in drywall or plaster finishes DO NOT necessarily indicate structural deficiencies. CES also specializes in the area of foundation inspection / HUD certification for manufactured homes.

Diagram showing foundation cracks, bowing walls causes, and repair solutions including fiber straps and foundation piers.

Faint image of modern houses partially obscured by blue gradient overlay with square patterns.

What’s Included

Comprehensive on-site structural evaluations of homes performed by a licensed Professional Engineer, with a full written report and repair recommendations. Our engineer visits your property and assesses all structural, accessible, and visible elements — from foundation to roof framing. If cracks are present in drywall or plaster finishes, they do not necessarily indicate structural deficiencies, but we can assess the structure behind them if access is provided prior to our arrival.

On-site foundation inspections and HUD/FHA/VA certification for manufactured homes, ensuring compliance with the HUD Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing (PFGMH). Many lenders require a foundation certification from a licensed PE before approving FHA or VA loans on manufactured homes. CES inspects the foundation system, evaluates compliance, and provides the sealed engineering letter required by your lender or agency.

Every residential assessment produces a full, in-depth written report documenting our professional opinion of the current structural condition and any issues observed, with an analysis of the root cause(s). Reports include site notes, measurements, and pictures. Any recommendations to address issues or concerns included in the scope of the assessment are also provided. If designs are recommended, they are an additional cost and will be quoted in the report. All reports bear the seal and signature of a licensed Professional Engineer.

When structural deficiencies are found, a licensed structural engineer has the expertise to design and detail repairs that are compliant with the current building code. CES provides repair designs and recommendations as part of the assessment process, or as a standalone service following a prior inspection. Construction-level drawings are available for an additional fee and will be quoted in the assessment report if recommended.

Periodic crack and settlement monitoring allows CES to track structural movement over time. Rather than making assumptions from a single visit, monitoring establishes a baseline and identifies whether movement is ongoing or historical. This service helps property owners avoid unnecessary cosmetic repairs and clarifies the true structural causes of observed symptoms before conditions worsen.

Cole Engineering employs two Professionally Licensed Engineers who review and collaborate on all residential projects. Engineer #1 performs the boots-on-the-ground reconnaissance site visit and builds the report. Engineer #2 — another fully licensed PE — independently reviews the observations and conclusions for coherency, looking for blind spots. You pay for one engineer; you get the expertise of two. One Fee. Two Brains. Better Math.

Built Different. Accountable by Design.

What do I get?

Your residential assessment includes:

Site visit by a licensed Structural Engineer
Verbal assessment — our professional opinion based on initial observations
Written report with full detail of our professional opinion of the current structural condition and any issues we observe, including an analysis of the root cause(s), site notes, measurements, and pictures, plus any recommendations to address issues or concerns included in the scope of the assessment. Note: if designs are recommended, they are an additional cost and will be quoted in the report.

What do you look at?

If it's Structural, Accessible, and Visible, we'll assess it! If cracks are in drywall, we will not be able to assess the structure behind the drywall unless the property owner cuts out portions of that drywall prior to our arrival for the assessment.

Do you handle construction/contracting?

No, we don't, but we do have contractors we've worked with before that we can recommend to you. Recommendations of contractors in no way endorses, officially affiliates, or guarantees the contractors' work or processes.

If you need construction level drawings for a project or fix, we do offer that for an additional fee.

What does my report include?

Full, in-depth details of our professional opinion of the current structural condition and any issues we observe, with an analysis of the root cause(s)
Site notes, measurements, and pictures
Any recommendations we suggest addressing issues or concerns included in the scope of the assessment

What kind of training/schooling will my engineer have?

Your engineer will have a four-year, ABET accredited degree, have passed two 8-hour licensing exams, and been mentored for four years by a licensed Professional Engineer.

What makes you different from other engineering companies?

Insurance coverage for not only the visit (liability), but also our work (errors and omissions)
Strenuous Quality Assurance process — we don't compromise on quality. You pay for one engineer; you get the expertise of two. One Fee. Two Brains. Better Math.
A lot of engineering firms send one person to look at your project and call it a day. Not us. Every single project we touch gets a collaborative double-take: Engineer #1 handles the boots-on-the-ground recon and builds the report. Engineer #2 (another fully licensed P.E.) tears it apart looking for blind spots.

Can I cancel my project? What's your cancellation policy?

Absolutely. We have a $50 cancellation fee that applies inside 2 business days, and 50% of the engineer's fee for cancelling inside 24 hours of the appointment. We will charge your card plus a 3% credit card processing fee (if applicable).

How can I pay?

Cash or Check — given to your engineer at the time of visit
Credit/Debit Card — we will charge your card on the day of the visit for the full contract amount plus a 3% credit card processing fee. (If you would like to avoid the 3% fee, please pay the engineer with cash or check on the day of the visit.)

Is there a deposit?

No, there's no deposit required. We record your credit/debit card information to secure the booking. We do not charge your card until the day of the visit (if you don't pay cash or check directly to your engineer), or if the cancellation falls within the terms of our cancellation policy.