Why Hire a Professional Structural Engineer?

Hiring a professional structural engineer for your construction project ensures your project is designed with safety, durability, and precision at the forefront. A Professional Engineering (PE) stamp is legally required for the construction or modification of any structure. Much like a lawyer admitted to the bar or a board-certified physician, a licensed Professional Engineer meets stringent professional standards. Just as you would seek qualified expertise for legal or medical matters, it's essential to engage a certified professional for engineering work to safeguard both your investment and the integrity of the built environment.

Here's why working with a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) is essential:

Professional Structural Engineers are licensed by each individual state to practice engineering, confirming they’ve met rigorous education, experience, and examination standards. The PE license ensures they have the expertise to design safe and reliable structures per local building codes in the state in which they are licensed. You gain peace of mind knowing your project is in the hands of someone upholding industry standards and local building codes. Capstone Engineering's owner and president, Tim van Oss, is a member of the New York State Society of of Professional Engineers (NYSSPE). Learn more about NYSSPE here. 

Engineers who are American Society of Civil Engineers members follow a strict Code of Ethics, prioritizing the safety and well-being of the public. Hiring a structural engineer who follows these standards ensures your project will be designed with integrity, honesty, and a commitment to health and welfare of the public. Capstone Engineering is very active in ASCE—our owner and president, Tim van Oss, is the 2024-2025 ASCE Buffalo Section president. Learn more about ASCE here. 

The "Standard of Care" refers to the level of diligence and expertise any reasonable structural engineer would exercise. Licensed structural engineers must meet this standard, carefully analyzing factors like load-bearing capacity, material selection, and environmental conditions to ensure your structure is built to last.

A Professional Engineer’s main responsibility is protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public. They design buildings to withstand extreme weather events per local building codes, ensure safe materials, and prevent failures that could harm occupants or the community. Hiring a Professional Engineer mitigates risks and ensures long-term safety.