Foundation, Framing, Drone Facade & Roof Assessments by NJ/NY Licensed Professional Engineers
A structural inspection goes beyond a standard home inspection. It is a focused evaluation by a Licensed Professional Engineer of the building's structural systems — foundations, framing, load-bearing walls, beams, columns, and floor and roof structures. You may need a structural inspection when you notice foundation cracks, uneven floors, sticking doors, sagging beams, or any sign of structural movement in your property.
Real estate attorneys, mortgage lenders, and insurance companies frequently require a structural engineer's report before approving a transaction. If your home inspector has flagged a potential structural concern, a professional structural assessment is the next step to determine the severity, cause, and required repairs.
Our Licensed Professional Engineers evaluate the key load-bearing components of your property, including foundation walls and footings, structural framing and floor joists, load-bearing walls and headers, roof trusses and rafters, columns and support posts, retaining walls, and balconies and decks. We also assess signs of water infiltration, soil movement, and deterioration that may be affecting structural performance.
PE Inspection LLC is the only licensed PE inspection firm in Hudson County with an in-house FAA Part 107 certified drone pilot (Jo Zhou, PE).
For mid-rise condos, commercial buildings, steep-pitched roofs, and multi-story facades, ground-level inspection has real limits. Our drone inspection capability provides high-resolution aerial photography and video of roof surfaces, upper-floor facade conditions, elevated balconies, and parapet walls — documenting what ground-level inspection cannot reach. This is particularly valuable for NJ S2760 compliance reports, insurance claims, and pre-purchase due diligence on multi-story buildings. Learn about S2760 condo inspections →
After the inspection, we provide a detailed written report with photo documentation, our professional assessment of each condition found, recommendations for repair or monitoring, and — when required — a sealed engineering letter that can be submitted to lenders, attorneys, or municipal authorities.
A home inspection is a broad evaluation of a property's major systems — roofing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and general structure. It identifies visible defects across all components. A structural inspection is a deeper, focused assessment performed by a Licensed Professional Engineer specifically trained to evaluate load-bearing systems, diagnose the causes of structural distress, and determine whether a building is safe to occupy.
If you're buying a home and your inspector recommends further evaluation by a structural engineer, that's where we come in. If you already own a property and have concerns about cracking, settling, or water damage, a structural inspection gives you a clear professional opinion on the condition and the path forward.
Zoey (S.Y.) Tham, PE — MS Structural Engineering, Stanford University. 10+ years in commercial, residential and forensic engineering. NJ PE Licensed. NJ & NY Home Inspector Licensed.
Jo Zhou, PE — MS Structural Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology. 10+ years evaluating residential and commercial buildings. NJ & NY PE Licensed. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate — certified commercial drone pilot enabling aerial inspection of roofs, facades, and elevated structures.
Forensic engineering backgrounds mean we have investigated structural failures and construction defects professionally — we know what distress patterns mean and what it takes to fix them. Both founders hold active PE licenses in NJ and NY; our reports are accepted by lenders, attorneys, and municipal building departments in both states.
We routinely prepare structural engineer reports for real estate transactions in New Jersey and New York. Our reports are accepted by lenders, title companies, attorneys, and municipal building departments. Whether you need a pre-purchase structural assessment, a report for insurance purposes, or an engineering letter for a mortgage approval, our reports are thorough, defensible, and delivered promptly.
How is your structural inspection different from what my home inspector does?
Your home inspector is trained to identify visible defects across all building systems. Our structural inspection is performed by a Licensed Professional Engineer specifically trained in structural engineering — we evaluate load-bearing systems at an engineering level, diagnose causes of distress, and provide a PE-stamped report that carries legal weight.
Do I need a structural inspection to buy a home?
Not always — but if your home inspector flags a foundation concern, cracking, settling floors, or any structural issue, a structural engineering evaluation is strongly advisable before closing. The cost of a structural inspection is a fraction of the cost of discovering a major structural problem after purchase.
What does your drone inspection cover and do I need it?
Our FAA-certified drone pilot (Jo Zhou, PE) provides aerial photography and video of roofs, upper-floor facades, balconies, and elevated elements that cannot be safely assessed from the ground. For single-story or two-story residential homes, ground-level inspection is usually sufficient. For mid-rise or taller buildings, drone inspection adds significant documentation value.
Can you provide a PE-stamped letter for my mortgage lender or attorney?
Yes. Our reports are formatted as professional engineering documents with a PE seal and signature. They are accepted by mortgage lenders, title companies, real estate attorneys, and NJ/NY municipal building departments.
How long does a structural inspection take?
On-site inspection typically takes 1–3 hours depending on building size and complexity. Written reports are typically delivered within 3–5 business days. Expedited delivery is available for time-sensitive transactions — ask when you schedule.
Can you perform both a structural inspection and an NJ S2760 condo inspection?
Yes. For condo and co-op associations, we perform both standard structural inspections and the mandatory S2760 periodic inspections required under NJ law. Learn more about S2760 →
How is your structural inspection different from what my home inspector does?
Your home inspector is trained to identify visible defects across all building systems. Our structural inspection is performed by a Licensed Professional Engineer specifically trained in structural engineering — we evaluate load-bearing systems at an engineering level, diagnose causes of distress, and provide a PE-stamped report that carries legal weight.
Do I need a structural inspection to buy a home?
Not always — but if your home inspector flags a foundation concern, cracking, settling floors, or any structural issue, a structural engineering evaluation is strongly advisable before closing. The cost of a structural inspection is a fraction of the cost of discovering a major structural problem after purchase.
What does your drone inspection cover and do I need it?
Our FAA-certified drone pilot (Jo Zhou, PE) provides aerial photography and video of roofs, upper-floor facades, balconies, and elevated elements that cannot be safely assessed from the ground. For single-story or two-story residential homes, ground-level inspection is usually sufficient. For mid-rise or taller buildings, drone inspection adds significant documentation value.
Can you provide a PE-stamped letter for my mortgage lender or attorney?
Yes. Our reports are formatted as professional engineering documents with a PE seal and signature. They are accepted by mortgage lenders, title companies, real estate attorneys, and NJ/NY municipal building departments.
How long does a structural inspection take?
On-site inspection typically takes 1–3 hours depending on building size and complexity. Written reports are typically delivered within 3–5 business days. Expedited delivery is available for time-sensitive transactions — ask when you schedule.
Can you perform both a structural inspection and an NJ S2760 condo inspection?
Yes. For condo and co-op associations, we perform both standard structural inspections and the mandatory S2760 periodic inspections required under NJ law. Learn more about S2760 →
Call or email to discuss your structural concern. We respond within 24 hours.
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