 Wow, times have changed. Just 5 years ago, asking someone to e-mail a photograph was like performing rocket science. Now, with the age of Skype (video conferencing) and USTREAM, individuals can communicate with each other in a real time format with ease and very little difficulty. Let's see how this can apply to the field of structural engineering and how these advancements in the computer industry can actually save you money.
Believe it or not, A Step in Time Structural Engineering is geared for a specific type of market. With the duel experience in structural and geotechnical (soils) engineering, our type of engineering focuses on the residential market. Usually we encounter homeowners who have settling foundations, sagging floors, roof issues, and questions that home inspectors have reported. With the shear volume of repetitive issues, we have become fairly quick at determining the causes and solutions of many common problems. These opinions are delivered without biased. When we say that they are delivered without biased, think about what this is saying. If you have a foundation issue and you call for an opinion from a foundation contractor, what do you think his opinion is going to be. Where do you draw the line where something is good, fair or poor. If a contractor stands to sell thousands of dollars in repairs, with a slow economy, well you know where I'm heading.
Low Cost Engineering: Usually our engineering inspections cost between $890 and $1490. Most of the expense is travel to and from the site location. Imagine if there was a way to charge $790 - $990. This would be a little difficult, but not an impossible inspection. To perform this type of inspection, it would require a little work from the client, but fairly easy if you can e-mail photographs. Here is how it works:
1) The client has an issue. You simply fill out the schedule on-line form and in the comment section explain the issue. There is no need to be too specific, just generally tell us your problem.
2) A Step in Time Structural Engineering will contact you and Ray Gessner speaks with you regarding your issue. If the issue is something that is out of our field, we will give you pointers of where to find the proper advice and you are charged nothing. Tell your friends how nice Ray was and have a good day. If the issue is a problem that will likely require a on-site visit, Ray will tell you this at this time. If you are located in Virginia or Maryland, we can schedule an appointment. If it is another state we will offer advice of what to look for when hiring an engineer and thanks for speaking with us. Now, if we decide that the problem might have a solution with photographs, than we will take the case.
3) You send us photographs from a list of what we require.
4) Ray reviews the photographs and will likely ask you for more photographs at certain locations and certain angles and points of view. You will need an individual who is capable of climbing in attics or under crawl spaces. The more ability your on-site inspector has, the better the results.
5) Ray speaks to you about his opinion. If your not happy with the service we performed, consider the service free of charge. We promise 100% satisfaction guarantee.
This type of inspection is not for everyone. This is just another option to gain advice from a Virginia Licensed Professional Engineer. Thanks for visiting and hope to speak with you soon.
Raymond Gessner, P.E. 032901
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