Need an Engineer to Review Existing Construction?
Has the municipality discovered work that was completed without permits?
Are you being asked to provide engineering documentation for an existing structure, renovation, addition, deck, beam, wall removal, mezzanine, platform, stair, or other construction that is already built?
Many property owners only discover the need for a structural engineer after construction has been completed. This commonly occurs during permit applications, property sales, refinancing, insurance reviews, inspections, or when deficiencies are identified by municipal officials.
Sepco Consulting Engineers provides structural assessments, engineering reviews, calculations, and P.Eng. stamped documentation for existing construction throughout Ontario.
Our goal is to help determine whether the existing work is structurally acceptable, identify any deficiencies requiring correction, and where appropriate provide the engineering documentation required to move the project forward.
Common Situations We Encounter
Property owners contact us when:
- Construction was completed without permits
- A load-bearing wall was removed without engineering drawings
- A beam or column was installed without engineering review
- Basement renovations require retroactive approval
- A deck, porch, or addition lacks structural documentation
- A mezzanine or storage platform was built without engineering
- Structural modifications were discovered during a property sale
- Municipal inspectors require engineering certification
- Existing drawings cannot be located
- The original contractor is no longer available
- Insurance companies request engineering review
- Buyers request confirmation of structural adequacy
In many cases, the municipality or building department requests a Professional Engineer to review the completed work and provide supporting documentation before permits can be finalized or closed.
What We Can Do
Depending on the project, our services may include:
- Site inspection of existing construction
- Structural assessment of completed work
- Review of available drawings and documentation
- Field measurements and verification
- Structural analysis and calculations
- Identification of deficiencies or concerns
- Recommendations for corrective work where required
- Preparation of stamped drawings
- Preparation of engineering letters
- Preparation of stamped engineering reports
Each project is unique. The level of investigation required depends on the type of construction, accessibility of structural components, and available documentation.
Residential Projects
We frequently review:
- Load-bearing wall removals
- Basement renovations
- Structural framing modifications
- Beam and column installations
- Decks and elevated platforms
- Porch structures
- Roof modifications
- Attic alterations
- Foundation modifications
- Basement lowering and underpinning work
Many homeowners discover the need for engineering documentation when selling their property or when a municipality requests verification of completed work.
Commercial & Industrial Projects
Sepco Consulting Engineers also reviews existing commercial and industrial construction, including:
- Mezzanines
- Equipment support structures
- Industrial platforms
- Access stairs
- Guardrails
- Roof-mounted equipment supports
- Structural steel modifications
- Warehouse improvements
- Existing building alterations
Engineering review may be required before occupancy, permit closure, insurance approval, or transfer of ownership.
Can an Engineer Certify Any Existing Construction?
Not necessarily.
An engineering review is an independent assessment of the existing conditions observed at the time of inspection.
Where deficiencies are identified, corrective work may be required before engineering documentation can be issued.
In some situations, additional investigation, selective demolition, testing, or exposure of concealed structural elements may be necessary before conclusions can be reached.
Our role is to provide an objective professional assessment based on observable conditions, available information, and engineering analysis.
Why Clients Contact Sepco Consulting Engineers
- Licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.)
- Designated Consulting Engineer
- Ph.D. in Structural Engineering
- More than 20 years of structural engineering experience
- Residential, commercial, and industrial expertise
- Practical solutions focused on helping projects move forward
- Direct access to the Principal Engineer
We understand that most clients contacting us are facing deadlines, permit issues, property transactions, or construction delays. Our objective is to provide practical engineering guidance and clear next steps.
Request a Structural Review
If you require engineering review of existing construction, retroactive structural documentation, or engineering certification related to unpermitted work, contact Sepco Consulting Engineers.
Call: 416-672-0202
Email: info@sepcoengineering.com
Online: Contact Form