Home, Foundation & Structural Inspection in Seattle
At Puget Sound Engineering, our licensed professional engineers deliver independent structural inspections in Seattle. Whether you’re buying, selling, or safeguarding your home, our thorough assessments—including foundation, crawlspace, and whole-home inspections—help you make informed decisions with confidence.
Our inspectors/engineers regularly serve neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, and Ballard—where seismic retrofit and drainage issues are common due to the hilly terrain and high rainfall.
Services We Offer in Seattle
Home Inspection by Professional Engineers
We go beyond basic home inspections by focusing on structural integrity. Whether you’re a homebuyer or seller, our assessments identify framing issues, sagging, cracks, and potential structural concerns that general inspectors may miss.
Foundation Inspection
Our engineers evaluate visible cracks, settlement, sloping floors, bowing walls, and any signs of foundation movement. We provide clear explanations and engineering reports if needed for real estate transactions or repair planning.
Crawlspace Inspection
We physically crawl your space—no outsourcing or shortcuts. Our engineers check for:
Wood rot
Soil pressure on foundation walls
Poor drainage or moisture issues
Damaged or shifted piers
Structural Engineering Consulting
Need engineering support for a renovation or real estate deal? We provide:
Load-bearing wall evaluations
Beam sizing and header recommendations
Seller disclosure support
Permitting documentation
What We Inspect
At Puget Sound Engineering, our licensed professional engineers provide comprehensive Seattle structural inspections designed to uncover hidden issues, prevent future problems, and ensure compliance with local building codes. Below are the key areas we evaluate during a typical inspection.
Foundation Cracks and Settlement
We assess hairline cracks, step cracks in masonry, and signs of foundation settlement. These may be caused by shifting soils, seismic activity, or improper drainage—issues frequently seen in the Puget Sound region. We determine whether a crack is purely cosmetic or structurally significant.
Moisture Intrusion & Drainage Issues
Due to Seattle’s heavy rainfall and high groundwater, moisture intrusion is a leading cause of structural damage. We check crawlspaces, basements, and perimeter drainage for standing water, wood rot, mold growth, and efflorescence on concrete surfaces.
Load-Bearing Walls, Beams, and Columns
We verify which walls are load-bearing and inspect beams and columns for signs of sagging, undersizing, or deterioration. This is especially important if you plan a remodel, wall removal, or open-concept conversion.
Retaining Walls and Slope Stability
Seattle’s hilly terrain makes retaining wall inspection essential. We check for leaning walls, cracking, inadequate drainage, and soil erosion that could lead to slope failure.
Local Seattle Code Relevance
Our inspections follow the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) requirements and the Seattle Residential Code, which incorporates the International Residential Code (IRC) with local amendments.
Seismic Design Category D
Seattle’s high seismic risk requires specific detailing for foundations, shear walls, and connection hardware to meet code standards.
Snow Load and Wind Exposure
While Seattle’s snow load is moderate, the building code mandates proper design for wind uplift and lateral loads from seasonal storms.
Drainage and Site Grading
SDCI enforces strict site water management rules. We verify that grading and drainage prevent water from pooling near the foundation, reducing risk of structural damage.
Historic and Older Homes
Many Seattle properties pre-date modern seismic standards. If you are renovating, we identify upgrades needed to bring your home into compliance with current structural codes.
By combining engineering expertise with local code knowledge, Puget Sound Engineering ensures that every recommendation we make is both structurally sound and Seattle-compliant.
About Puget Sound Engineering
Puget Sound Engineering is a Seattle-based structural engineering firm led by licensed Professional Engineers (PE) specializing residential, light commercial projects and independent, unbiased inspections—from foundation crack evaluations and crawlspace assessments to full structural health checks—helping homeowners, buyers, and real estate professionals make confident decisions.
Unlike general home inspectors, our evaluations are backed by engineering expertise and a deep understanding of Seattle’s unique building environment, including high seismic risk, heavy rainfall, and SDCI code requirements. Our mission is simple: deliver clear, actionable reports that keep your property safe, sound, and code-compliant.
Why Choose Us
Our clients choose Puget Sound Engineering because we bring the experience of a licensed Professional Engineer to every inspection. We don’t just point out problems—we explain the cause, the code implications, and the best solutions so you can make confident decisions.
Licensed Engineer – Every inspection is performed by a Washington State PE with deep knowledge of Seattle building codes and construction methods.
Quick Turnaround – Most inspection reports are delivered within 1–3 business days, ready for home closing or permitting.
Dedicated Support – Clear communication from booking to final report, with answers to your questions every step of the way.
Licenced Engineer
5 Star Rating
Quick Turnaround
Dedicated Support
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A Seattle structural inspection by a licensed professional engineer includes a detailed evaluation of your home’s foundation, crawlspace, load-bearing walls, beams, columns, and structural connections. We check for cracks, settlement, moisture damage, and seismic vulnerabilities in compliance with Seattle building codes.
A home inspector provides a general overview of your property, while a structural inspection focuses specifically on the safety and integrity of the building’s structure. Our inspections are performed by licensed engineers who can diagnose the cause of structural issues and recommend code-compliant solutions.
Yes. Unlike many inspectors, we physically enter crawlspaces to assess the condition of foundation supports, posts, piers, beams, and joists. This ensures we find issues like hidden wood rot, moisture intrusion, or soil movement that aren’t visible from above.
Yes. Every inspection includes a detailed, engineer-signed report with photos, descriptions of any structural concerns, and recommended next steps. Reports are often ready within 1–3 business days.
Pricing depends on the size, age, and complexity of the property. For most Seattle homes, costs range from $500 to $800. Contact us for a free quote based on your specific property and inspection needs.
We recommend a structural inspection if you notice cracks in walls or foundations, uneven floors, sticking doors/windows, visible sagging, or after events like earthquakes or major storms. Buyers, sellers, and homeowners planning renovations can all benefit from an engineer’s evaluation.
Yes. We follow the Seattle Residential Code and Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) requirements, including local seismic design criteria (Seismic Design Category D).
A typical Seattle structural inspection by Puget Sound Engineering lasts about one hour. The exact time can vary depending on the size of the home, accessibility of areas like the crawlspace or attic, and any specific concerns you’d like us to evaluate.
What Seattle Homeowners Are Saying
Service Areas across Greater Seattle
- Seattle
- Bellevue
- Redmond
- Kirkland
- Renton
- Shoreline
- Bothell
- Everett
- Lynnwood
- Edmonds
- Marysville
- Mukilteo
- Tacoma
- Puyallup
- Lakewood
- University Place
- Gig Harbor
- Bainbridge Island
- Kenmore
- Burien
- Des Moines
- Duvall
- Issaquah
- Maple Valley
- Mercer Island
- Mill Creek
- Monroe
- Mountlake Terrace
- New Castle
- Sammamish
- SeaTac
- Snoqualmie
- Tukwila
- Woodinville
- Auburn
- Federal Way
- Sumner
- Bonney Lake
Book Your Inspection Today
Schedule a structural inspection with a licensed professional engineer and get a clear, actionable report within 1–3 business days. Whether you’re buying, selling, or maintaining your home, we’ll give you the confidence to move forward.
Address
18 Dravus St
Seattle, WA 98109
Email Us
info@pugetsoundengineering.com
Call Us
510-849-7156