Structural

Structural Engineer

Structural · definition

A licensed engineer who designs and certifies load-bearing changes. The required professional for removing bearing walls, adding floors, or repairing foundations.

Source: NCSEA — Structural Engineering Licensure

Where this comes up

  • Foundation

    The structure (slab, crawl space, or basement) that transfers the building's load to the ground. Foundation condition underlies the feasi…

  • Sump Pump

    A pump in a basin that ejects collected groundwater away from the foundation. A battery or water backup is recommended for outage protect…

  • Steel Stud

    Cold-formed metal framing used for non-combustible or tall walls. Light and straight but requires different fasteners and load detailing…

  • Tributary Area

    The floor/roof area whose load a given beam or column carries. It determines member size and why removing a wall concentrates load.

  • Stamped / Sealed Drawings

    Structural drawings signed and sealed by a licensed engineer, certifying the design. Required by permit for beam sizing, wall removal, an…

  • Truss

    A pre-engineered triangulated frame (roof or floor) that spans long distances efficiently. Truss webs cannot be cut or altered without an…

  • Span

    The clear distance a member bridges between supports. Span tables (or an engineer) set the size and spacing required for a given load.

  • Tuckpointing

    Removing deteriorated mortar from masonry joints and refilling them. Essential maintenance that preserves a brick or block wall's structu…

Where this term fits in a remodel

The pillar guides set terms like this one in context — what the work involves, what drives its cost, and where it sits in the sequence of a project. Pricing a specific house takes a defined scope and an on-site assessment.

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