When deciding between a structural engineer and a contractor for a foundation inspection, it is important to understand that they serve different purposes.

Structural Engineer: You should hire a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) if you need a definitive diagnosis of the root cause of foundation distress. Their evaluation is a forensic process that includes:

• Precision Measurements: Mapping settlement patterns and floor slab elevations.
• Technical Analysis: Performing load calculations and structural modeling to distinguish between cosmetic issues and progressive failure.
• Professional Reporting: Providing a sealed forensic report with unbiased repair specifications and bid documents.

General Contractor: A contractor’s evaluation is typically a visual walkthrough intended to scope and estimate the cost of a repair. Unlike engineers, contractors generally do not:

• Perform formal load calculations or settlement analysis.
• Provide a certified diagnostic report.
• Identify the specific failure mechanism at work.

In summary, the structural engineer diagnoses the problem, while the contractor constructs the solution based on those findings. For cases involving severe issues like differential foundation settlement or horizontal foundation cracks, a licensed engineer’s analysis is essential to ensure the repair addresses the cause rather than just the symptoms.