Engineering
Structural Engineering Checklist for a Home Addition
Before you call a contractor, your structural engineer needs to answer these questions. Miss one and you risk costly surprises mid-construction.
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A home addition is one of the most structurally complex residential projects you can undertake. Before your architectural drawings go to permit, your structural engineer needs to have answered every item on this checklist.
Foundation assessment
- What type of existing foundation is present? (poured concrete, block, stone rubble, piers)
- Is the existing foundation capable of supporting the new loads from the addition?
- Is underpinning required for the existing foundation before the addition connects?
- What is the soil bearing capacity? (Ideally from a geotechnical report)
Structural connection to existing building
- How will the new addition structurally connect to the existing structure?
- Are any existing walls being removed to create open connection between addition and existing space?
- What temporary shoring is required during the connection phase?
Roof and floor structure
- What are the live and dead loads for the new roof?
- Are any long spans (over 5 m) required that need engineered lumber or steel?
- What is the snow load for the site? (varies across the Ontario)
Lateral load resistance
- Does the addition have adequate shear walls for wind and seismic loads?
- How do lateral loads transfer through the new structure to the foundation?
Getting these questions answered before finalizing your architectural design will save you from the most common and expensive surprises in home addition construction.