Site-Based Review for Existing Residential Conditions

When a project involves an existing structure, visible framing conditions, possible structural concerns, or a contractor’s proposed work, it is often difficult to know what the next step should be.

The Field Visit & Structural Conditions Observation is a focused on-site service designed to help homeowners, contractors, and property owners understand what is visibly present, what documentation may be missing, and what may need to be reviewed by a licensed structural engineer before the project moves forward.

This service is especially helpful when there is an existing deck, addition, wall opening, framing concern, foundation condition, roof issue, or other visible building condition that needs to be reviewed before additional design, permit, or construction decisions are made.

What This Service Includes

This service includes one on-site field visit to observe and document visible existing conditions related to the area of concern.

During the visit, Turnwood Design Group may review:

• Existing framing layout

• Posts, beams, joists, rafters, headers, or visible structural members

• Bearing points and load paths where visible

• Deck, porch, addition, or roof framing conditions

• Existing contractor drawings or permit documents, if available

• Areas of concern identified by the owner, contractor, municipality, or insurance representative

• General visible construction conditions related to the requested scope

The visit is intended to help establish what is already in place, what appears to require further clarification, and whether additional drawings, documentation, or engineering review may be needed.

What You Receive

After the field visit, you will receive a summary of observed visible conditions and recommended next steps. Depending on the project, this may include:

• Field notes based on visible conditions

• General photographic documentation

• Initial observations regarding the area of concern

• Identification of missing information or documents needed for further review

• Recommendations for drawings, measurements, scanning, or engineering coordination

• Guidance on whether a licensed structural engineer should be involved

• A suggested path forward for permit, repair, reinforcement, or design documentation

Structural Engineering Coordination

Turnwood Design Group does not provide structural engineering calculations, structural certifications, or engineering stamps.

When a condition requires formal structural review, calculations, reinforcement design, or sealed documentation, a licensed structural engineer may need to evaluate the project based on drawings, photographs, field documentation, contractor information, or other materials prepared or organized after the visit.

If appropriate, Turnwood Design Group can help prepare the existing-condition documentation or drawings needed for structural engineering review. The structural engineer is responsible for determining structural adequacy, required reinforcement, and any sealed structural documents.

Important Limitations

This service is based on visible conditions only. It does not include destructive investigation, removal of finishes, concealed condition verification, material testing, structural calculations, or guaranteed confirmation that an existing structure is adequate.

Unless separately agreed in writing, this service does not include:

• Structural engineering calculations

• Engineering stamp or sealed drawings

• Permit-ready construction documents

• Detailed repair drawings

• Contractor pricing

• Code compliance certification

• Destructive testing or invasive inspection

• Verification of concealed framing or hidden defects

• Guarantee of existing structural capacity

The purpose of the visit is to observe, document, clarify, and recommend the appropriate next step.

Best For

This service is a good fit if you need help understanding:

• Whether an existing deck may need engineering review before adding a hot tub

• Whether a wall, beam, header, or framing condition needs further documentation

• Whether existing contractor drawings are sufficient for engineering review

• What visible structural information needs to be gathered before submitting to a municipality

• What next step is appropriate before making repairs, reinforcements, or design decisions

• Whether your project requires additional drawings or structural engineering involvement

Service Fee

Field Visit & Structural Conditions Observation: $687

This fee includes one site visit within the standard service area and a written summary of visible observations and recommended next steps.

Additional drawing work, scanning, Revit modeling, structural engineering coordination, permit documentation, or follow-up visits are not included and may be quoted separately if needed.