Nowadays, everybody wants to have a hand in the hot real-estate and home renovation business, but is it a good idea to just rely on experience of the contractors?
Although there is no argument that there are many qualified contractors that can handle the routine jobs diligently, professional engineers are trained for years using the current technologies and best practices.
“Professional engineers know it best, have hands-on experience and have vowed to consider your safety as their number one priority.”
In any cases, having an engineer overseeing the renovation plan, schedule and the actual work does not cost you a lot, but it adds a lot to the work you want to do. Here is why:
1- Engineering seal means "SAFETY"
An engineering seal underneath the renovation plans means someone is professionally responsible for anything that can go wrong.
2- Engineers are rigorously regulated
There is somewhere to go if you have any disputes, as engineers are regulated provincially (PEO, APEGBC, APEGA, etc.) and federally (Engineers Canada). Who do you go to when you want to dispute a contractor's job?!
3- Engineers "vowed" to protect you and your money
It is not as popular as medical doctor's vow, though. We take safety of the public as paramount, and we have a robust code of ethics of engineers.
4- Engineers are trained annually to be up-to-date
Just an engineering degree (by the way it's not easy to get that degree) does not give you the title "engineer". It is 4 years hands-on experience, combined by hours of training annually.
5- You need an engineer for major works anyway
For many major construction and renovations, you need a professional (structural) engineer to approve your plan. If you don't follow it, the city and other authorities may (most likely) come after you.
6- Do you want to sell your property after the reno?
We all know the sale of your property is most likely conditional to the building inspector's opinion. If you have made major modifications to the property, an engineer should assess the impact and the safety.