Every evaluation below is performed or reviewed by a licensed Professional Engineer and delivered as a PE-stamped written report.
Engineer's Inspection Review
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A standard home inspection report can raise questions that go beyond a home inspector's scope — is this crack structural or cosmetic? Is this finding serious enough to walk away over? An Engineer's Inspection Review (EIR) puts a licensed Professional Engineer's eyes on your report.
Your engineer reviews the inspection report, defect photos, and any areas of concern, then issues a written engineering opinion identifying which findings are structurally significant, which are routine maintenance, and what — if anything — needs further evaluation.
What's Included
Review of your full inspection report and defect photos
Written engineering opinion on findings of concern
Clear separation of structural issues vs. routine maintenance
Guidance on whether further engineering evaluation is warranted
An Engineer's Foundation Evaluation (EFE) is a comprehensive assessment of a building's foundation performed by a licensed Professional Engineer. It goes well beyond the visual observations in a standard home inspection.
Your engineer evaluates distress indicators such as cracking, settlement, and movement, takes elevation measurements across the foundation, and analyzes soil, drainage, and construction factors. You receive a PE-stamped written report with conclusions and remediation recommendations — documentation that contractors, lenders, insurers, and attorneys can rely on.
What's Included
Visual inspection of foundation, framing, and distress indicators
Elevation measurements to quantify settlement or heaving
Analysis of drainage, soil, and construction contributors
PE-stamped written report with repair recommendations
Most lenders require an engineering foundation certification before they will finance a manufactured or mobile home through HUD, VA, or FHA loan programs. The certification verifies that the home's foundation system meets HUD's Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing.
A licensed Professional Engineer inspects the home's foundation, anchoring, and support systems, then issues a PE-stamped certification letter accepted by lenders and underwriters.
What's Included
Inspection of piers, anchoring, skirting, and support systems
Verification against HUD permanent foundation requirements
Planning to open up a floor plan or remove a wall during renovation? Removing a load-bearing wall without proper support can cause sagging floors, cracked finishes, and structural failure. A load bearing wall analysis tells you definitively which walls are structural before any demolition begins.
A licensed Professional Engineer evaluates the wall's role in the structure, and — if removal is possible — provides the calculations and a stamped letter specifying the beam or header required to carry the load safely.
What's Included
Determination of which walls are load-bearing
Beam/header sizing calculations for safe removal
Stamped letter suitable for permits and contractors
Prevents costly structural mistakes during remodels
Roof trusses are engineered components — a truss that has been cut, cracked, drilled, or otherwise modified (often discovered during a home inspection) can no longer be assumed to carry its design load. A Damaged Truss Evaluation (DTE) determines whether the roof structure is still sound.
A licensed Professional Engineer evaluates the extent and location of the damage, assesses the structural impact, and provides a repair recommendation — with stamped repair drawings when remediation is needed.
What's Included
Assessment of cut, cracked, or improperly modified trusses
Determination of structural impact on the roof system
Repair recommendations with stamped drawings when needed
Documentation for buyers, sellers, and contractors
A cost segregation study is a tax strategy that identifies and reclassifies components of a commercial or income-producing property so they can be depreciated on an accelerated schedule — improving cash flow in the early years of ownership.
Because our studies are performed by licensed Professional Engineers, the component classifications are grounded in a real engineering analysis of the property, producing a detailed, IRS-compliant report your CPA can work from.
What's Included
Engineering-based component analysis of the property
Accelerated depreciation schedules for tax savings
A WPI-8 is a certificate of compliance issued through the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) for structures in designated coastal catastrophe areas. It documents that a building meets windstorm-resistant construction standards, and it is required to obtain coverage through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).
Our TDI-certified engineer inspects the structure's wind-resistant features and issues the WPI-8 certification needed for windstorm insurance eligibility.
What's Included
Inspection of wind-resistant construction features
WPI-8 certificate of compliance through TDI
Required for TWIA windstorm insurance eligibility
Performed by a TDI-certified Professional Engineer
Sample reports are generic (123 Main St) versions showing the exact format of your deliverable. More samples on our sample reports page.
When to Request a Noble Engineering Evaluation
Standard home inspectors are trained to identify and report visible defects. Licensed Professional Engineers are trained to determine root causes, assess structural adequacy, and recommend remediation. Noble offers PE evaluations for situations where a standard inspection finding raises engineering-level questions.
Foundation cracking, settlement, or movement beyond normal tolerances
Post-storm damage assessments for insurance or repair planning
Drainage and grading problems causing chronic water intrusion
Retaining walls, slopes, and site stability concerns
Expert witness reports for real estate litigation and disputes
Noble engineering evaluations are typically completed within 1-2 business days and delivered as a PE-stamped written report. The report is suitable for submission to insurance companies, contractors, attorneys, and municipal building departments.
PE-Licensed Engineering Evaluations for Complex Property Issues
Noble Property Inspections is one of the few property inspection companies in the country with licensed Professional Engineers (PE) on staff and as co-owners. This means that when a structural concern, foundation problem, or drainage issue falls beyond the scope of a standard home inspection, we can escalate immediately to a formal engineering evaluation — without a separate referral.
Structural Evaluations
Foundation settlement, cracking, and movement
Pier and beam systems — deterioration and leveling
Roof framing, ridge deflection, rafter failures
Load-bearing wall removals and header sizing
Site & Drainage
Drainage grading and water intrusion source analysis
Retaining walls and slope stability
Post-storm damage assessments
Expert witness reports for legal proceedings
Engineering reports are stamped and signed by a licensed PE, making them admissible for insurance claims, contractor bids, real estate negotiations, and municipal permit applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an engineer's foundation evaluation?
An engineer's foundation evaluation is a comprehensive assessment performed by a licensed professional engineer to determine the structural condition of a building's foundation. This includes visual inspection, elevation measurements, and analysis of any distress indicators such as cracks, settlement, or movement.
When do I need a load bearing wall analysis?
A load bearing wall analysis is needed before removing or modifying any interior walls during renovation. Our licensed engineers will determine which walls are structural, provide calculations, and issue a stamped letter if the wall can be safely removed with proper support modifications.
What is a WPI-8 wind certification?
A WPI-8 is a certificate of compliance issued through the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) documenting that a structure in a designated coastal catastrophe area meets windstorm-resistant construction standards. It is required to obtain windstorm coverage through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). Our TDI-certified engineer inspects the structure and issues the certification.
What is an engineer's cost segregation study?
A cost segregation study is a tax strategy that identifies and reclassifies components of a commercial property to accelerate depreciation deductions, reducing tax liability. Our engineers provide detailed, IRS-compliant reports.
What is a damaged truss evaluation?
If a roof truss has been cut, cracked, or otherwise damaged — often discovered during a home inspection — a licensed engineer can evaluate the structural impact and provide a repair recommendation with stamped drawings if needed.
How do I schedule an engineering service?
You can book online or call us at (832) 551-1397. Engineering services can be added to any inspection or scheduled as standalone appointments. We serve all of our inspection markets except California.
