Structural engineer foundation reports
What a proper evaluation includes, what it costs, and how to check the engineer.
A foundation repair company and an independent engineer can both look at your house. The difference is that the company is also offering to sell you the repair. Knowing what an engineer's evaluation should contain makes it easier to tell a thorough report from a sales visit.
What Texas engineers are told to do
The Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers publishes guidelines for evaluating and repairing residential foundations. Version 3 was adopted April 1, 2022. The guidelines are written for engineers, but several points help homeowners:
- Who does it: evaluation and repair design should be performed by an engineer licensed in Texas, acting objectively.
- Measurements: a typical investigation includes relative floor elevations, drawn to scale, with a note about how floor coverings were accounted for.
- Judgment against a standard: the engineer compares deflection and tilt to tolerances. The guidelines note that a tilt above 1% is usually noticeable.
- Plumbing: testing is called for when a foundation is lifted or jacked.
- After the repair: the engineer, or someone they authorize, measures floor elevations again, and can issue a letter of substantial completion saying the work generally matches the repair design.
What it costs
Fixr's January 2026 guide lists a structural engineer's report at $300 to $2,000 and a soil or geotechnical report at $1,000 to $5,000.
When cities require one
Grand Prairie won't issue a residential foundation repair permit without a stamped engineer's letter and plans. Dalworthington Gardens' permit packet says foundation plans must be certified by a structural engineer. See permits by city for the rest.
Before you hire one
- Look the engineer up on the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors' public roster.
- Ask whether they have any financial tie to a repair company.
- Ask for a written report with the elevation drawing, not just a phone call.
- Ask whether they'll come back to measure after the repair.
Questions people ask
How much does a structural engineer's foundation report cost?
Fixr's January 2026 guide lists $300 to $2,000 for a structural engineer's report, and $1,000 to $5,000 for a soil or geotechnical report.
What should a foundation engineer's report include?
The Texas Section ASCE guidelines describe relative floor elevation measurements drawn to scale, a comparison of deflection and tilt with tolerances, and plumbing testing when lifting is planned.
Who should design a foundation repair in Texas?
The Texas Section ASCE guidelines say evaluation and repair design should be performed by a professional engineer licensed in Texas.
Have a contractor take a look
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