Structural Engineering Solutions | Residential & Commercial
Structural Assessment
As one of Minnesota’s best forensic engineering firms, we find and combat structural issues that threaten the integrity of buildings or timeliness of a project.
Fast, Cost-effective Structural Engineer
Saving you headaches & providing long-term solutions
Our experienced engineers are fully prepared to help you bridge any structural challenge you are dealing with; whether it’s ice dams, drainage issues, wall cracking, sagging ceilings, moisture intrusion, crumbling foundation, construction defect or help with an insurance claim, Complete Building Solutions can assist!
Ground water Management
There are several variables that cause drainage issues. However, if your home was built before 1991, you may be experiencing heavier symptoms than most due to lack of grading/drainage codes at that time.
You may need help with grading & drainage if you notice:
- Standing water around your foundation
- Swampy landscape
- Flooded or wet basements and parking garages
- Cracked/crumbling foundations
- Lack of gutters and downspouts
- Heaving concrete or asphalt
Complete Building Solutions knows how painful drainage issues can be to live with. If you are tired of unresolved water issues, call Complete Building Solutions to start the discussion today!
Foundation, Garage floor/Apron, or Retaining Wall
Cracked and bowing foundations, garage floors/aprons, and retaining walls can be a cause for concern! Hire Complete Building Solution’s forensic team to perform a thorough assessment and gain factual information about the structural integrity of the area in question. A report can be generated depicting the findings, potential causes, and scope of repair. When you hire Complete Building Solutions for a foundation inspection, our engineers:
Visit the property to visually inspect the foundation, garage apron, retaining walls, and crawl space or basement
- Measure and document existing cracks, bowing, or settlement
- Evaluate grading, drainage, and groundwater conditions contributing to the issue
- Identify whether the cause is structural, drainage-related, or both
- Provide a written report detailing our findings, the likely cause, and a recommended scope of repair
If you’re buying or selling a property and need a structural assessment as part of the transaction, our Real Estate services can help.
Settling, Cracks, or Structural Defect
Structural defects can be the result of poor workmanship or faulty design.
Signs of structural defects are:
- Sticky doors and windows
- Crumbling or cracking foundation
- Wall & ceiling cracks
- Bowing walls or sagging ceilings or floors
- Steps pulling away from the house
Complete Building Solutions performs detailed structural engineering inspections and reports depicting our findings and solutions (upon request).
Insurance claims: storm & fire
Did you know that Minnesota state law requires that an unbiased third-party works through the claim process with your contractor and insurance company?
Complete Building Solutions is fully prepared to be that third-party; providing you with a powerful property inspection for weather related or fire damages, a detailed report depicting findings and/or scope of replacement, and to fiercely advocate for replacement of your products when necessary.
We say what is there and how to fix it, correctly, every time.
Ice Dam, Attic, roof, deck, siding
As thermal break technology experts, Complete Building Solutions believes in optimum building performance. It’s what we do! Hire our team to perform an inspection and deliver you a thorough report for existing defects or conditions within a home, building, or multi-family property.
Building symptoms may include:
- Ceiling/wall stains
- Ice dams
- Mold/mildew
- Drainage issues
Reasons to get an inspection:
- Condition/lifespan assessment
- Bringing construction up to code
- High energy bills or heat loss
Construction defect
Several defects can occur during or after the construction of a building. Finding and remediating these defects is an important step to safeguarding the longevity of your home or complex and to ensure building materials last their intended lifespan. This is especially true for multi-family complexes where residents expect the building materials lifespan to match the reserve study estimates.
Symptoms can be:
- Ice dams
- Drainage problems
- Leaky/eroding foundations
- Missing/curled shingles
- Cracked/heaving driveways, and sidewalks
- Cracked brick
No other Minnesota firm can match our know-how when it comes to detecting construction defects. After working on some of the largest cases in the state, and winning, we can confidently guide you through the process.
We use our forensic gifts to perform methodical inspections, generate detailed analysis reports with recommended repairs and serve as expert witnesses throughout the litigation process, providing a 3rd party opinion on your case.
Solar
Anytime additional weight is applied to your roofing system, such as solar panels, a structural engineer needs to verify the existing structural system is capable of carrying the extra weight. Complete Building Solutions structural engineering team performs such inspections and analysis. When the findings aren’t ideal, we generate solutions which can be used to pull required building permits and proceed with the project.
"Wow!! I was so impressed with the service"
Structural Assessment Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have a foundation problem?
Common warning signs include cracks in your foundation walls or basement floor, doors and windows that stick or no longer close properly, sloping or uneven floors, gaps appearing around window and door trim, and a garage apron separating from the foundation. If you notice any of these, especially after a storm or significant tree loss near your home, it’s worth scheduling a foundation inspection to determine whether the issue is cosmetic or structural.
What causes a sloping or uneven floor?
Sloping or uneven floors are often caused by foundation settlement, undersized or deteriorating support beams and posts, or moisture damage to floor joists, particularly in crawl spaces. In some cases, the cause is a combination of foundation movement and load-bearing wall issues. A structural assessment can pinpoint which of these is responsible so the right fix, not just a cosmetic patch, gets applied.
What is a structural assessment and when do I need one?
A structural assessment is a professional evaluation of a building’s structural components like foundation, framing, load-bearing walls, beams, and roof structure, all performed by a licensed engineer. You may need one if you’re seeing cracks, settling, or sagging; planning a remodel that involves removing or altering a wall; buying or selling a property; dealing with storm, fire, or construction defect damage; or pursuing an insurance claim. The assessment results in a written report you can use for repairs, permitting, or negotiations.
Can I remove a load-bearing wall myself?
Removing or altering a load-bearing wall without an engineered plan can compromise your home’s structural integrity and create serious safety risks. Before any wall is removed, a structural engineer should assess the wall’s role in the building’s load path and design a plan — often including beam sizing and proper support, to safely redistribute that load. Learn more on our Remodeling page.
What's the difference between settling and a structural defect?
Settling is the gradual, often minor shifting of a building as soil beneath it compresses over time, some settling is normal, especially in older homes. A structural defect, on the other hand, is a flaw in the original design, materials, or construction that compromises the building’s strength or performance, and typically won’t resolve on its own. An engineer can evaluate cracks, bowing, or other symptoms to determine whether you’re dealing with normal settling, an active structural issue, or a defect requiring repair.
How much does a foundation or structural inspection cost?
Cost depends on the size of the property, the scope of the concern, and whether a written report is needed for permitting, insurance, or a real estate transaction. Because every situation is different, we recommend contacting our team directly for a quote based on your specific property and needs.