Catlin Engineering

With mortgage money tight and litigation rampant, it is important to know what you're buying (or selling) when in the market for a house. For many people, older houses in established neighborhoods are the ideal choice, but only if the house and site are sound.

How can the Real Estate Professional help a home buyer assess whether a particular house is structurally sound and likely to stay that way? Increasingly, realtors and home buyers turn to an engineering firm with an established reputation, such as ours, to visually evaluate whether structural defects exist and their severity. Such an evaluation assists in protecting one of the largest investments that a family makes.

The State of California has, for a long time, registered Civil Engineers. These engineers possess certain skills and knowledge regarding, among other things, structures, drainage, and soils. More recently, Civil Engineers who possess specialized skills, knowledge, and experience in the structural capabilities of soils and foundations have been registered as Geotechnical Engineers.

The age of a house is not the most important factor to consider. Some older houses, as well as some apparently distressed newer ones, may require only cosmetic repairs and make great investments. Our particular skills help to separate basically sound houses from those that have suffered, or are likely to suffer, foundation, slab, or slope failures and require a great deal of specialized, expensive repairs.

We note that sometimes shrinkage cracks and checks occur in slabs soon after construction and never experience any further substantial movement. Therefore, no evidence presents itself for discovery and frequently the owners are not even aware of these apparent imperfections. In any event, when cracks are discovered upon re-carpeting, this is not necessarily an indication of current movement or failure.

Slab cracks of structural importance usually occur along with observable distress in the walls and/or ceiling and can often be felt through carpet. Most tile or vinyl type floor coverings that have been in place for a year or more are sensitive to differential floor movements and usually reveal them.

For those houses or sites with apparent real problems, Catlin Engineering Assoc., Inc., offers analysis of and solutions to these problems. We can also refer the client to a Licensed General Contractor, with experience in correcting these problems. This Contractor can submit a fixed price proposal to perform the necessary repairs according to the Engineer's recommendations. Lenders can then provide long term loans on houses previously stigmatized as "problems." The fees for this service start at $600.00. This fee includes the Engineer's visual inspection of the interior and exterior of the residence, his research of work he has done previously in the immediate area, and his written report with his findings, conclusions and recommendations.

We will do our best to help you know exactly what you are buying. After all, you must literally live in, as well as with, your choice!