GC4I team, structural engineering firm in Montreal
Many homeowners hit the same wall at the same moment: the inspector, the contractor or the borough asks for an engineer, and nobody knows who to call. Here is how to find a structural engineer for your house and, more importantly, how to check in a few minutes that you have the right one.
To see how we handle a mandate, from the first call to the signed document, read Our Approach.
Why it’s harder than you think
Quebec doesn’t lack engineers. Engineers in private practice who take on residential mandates, and who will come out for a wall, a crack or an addition, are harder to find. Many firms focus on large projects and don’t take this kind of request.
The best leads are still word of mouth, referrals from your contractor or inspector, and professional directories. A referral doesn’t replace the checks below. They take little time and avoid most unpleasant surprises.
7 checks before you sign
1. They are a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ)
Only a member of the OIQ may use the title of engineer in Quebec and perform the acts reserved for the profession. The OIQ’s member directory (in French) lets you check by name. An engineering degree without a licence to practise isn’t enough.
2. They work in the right field
A mechanical or electrical engineer is a member of the same order (the OIQ), but isn’t the one who calculates a beam. For a foundation, a load-bearing wall or framing, you are looking for a structural engineer, usually trained in civil engineering. The OIQ also recommends identifying the engineering field you need before hiring anyone.
3. They carry professional liability insurance
Every OIQ member must hold professional liability insurance. Those in private practice must also join the supplementary plan, unless exempted. Don’t hesitate to ask: an engineer who works independently will answer without a second thought.
4. They give you a written service proposal
The OIQ considers a written contract good practice. It should describe the mandate, the documents you will receive and what they are for, the schedule, and the fees and payment terms. For a small mandate, an email confirming these points can be enough.
5. You know what will be signed and sealed
An engineer must sign the engineering documents they prepare and seal their plans and specifications. Ask from the start what you will receive: a letter, a report, drawings for the permit. That document is what the borough, your insurer or, someday, a court will look at.
6. They see the building before reaching a conclusion
Photos help prepare a visit. They don’t replace measurements on site: real dimensions, the condition of the supports, what is hidden behind a finish. A firm conclusion given over the phone about a load-bearing element should make you ask questions.
7. Follow-up during the work is included, or not
A well-drawn plan can be poorly built. Ask whether the engineer answers the contractor’s questions during the work and visits the site at key stages. If that isn’t part of the mandate, better to know before you start than halfway through.
A referral gives you a name. The checks tell you whether that name is right for your project.
Questions to ask on the first call
- Do you take residential mandates like mine, in my area?
- What does your mandate include, and what doesn’t it include?
- What document will I receive, and what will it be used for?
- How long until the visit, and then until the final document?
- Who will be my contact, and who will sign?
- Are site visits included?
Have the address, the year of construction, photos of the element in question and, if you have them, the existing drawings or the inspection report on hand. A well-described request gets a more precise service proposal, and gets it faster.
Quebec or Ontario: the right professional regulator
The licence to practise depends on the province where the building is located. In Quebec, the engineer must be a member of the OIQ. In Ontario, they must hold a licence from Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), which also keeps a public directory. An engineer can hold both; check the one that matches your project’s address.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check that an engineer is a member of the OIQ?
Search by name in the member directory on the OIQ website. You can also contact the OIQ directly.
Can a technologist do the work?
A professional technologist often prepares the architectural drawings for a house and frequently works with an engineer. For the foundation and framing, the requirements depend on the project and the municipality. The OIQ can help you find out whether your documents must be prepared by an engineer.
Why do prices vary so much from one engineer to another?
Because the proposals don’t always cover the same thing. A letter after a short visit, a full report and sealed drawings for a permit don’t take the same time or carry the same professional responsibility. Compare proposals that describe the same deliverable.
Is the engineer my contractor recommended a good choice?
They can be, and they often know this type of work well. Do the same checks you would with anyone else. If you are the one hiring them, they answer to you.
How long does it take to get drawings?
It depends on the scope of the mandate. The timeline should appear in the service proposal, along with the time frame for the visit.
Looking for a structural engineer?
Our engineers are members of the OIQ. Tell us about your project: we will reply with a written service proposal that sets out the scope, the documents you will receive and the timeline.
Scope of this guide. This content is general in nature. For any question about a professional’s status, contact their professional regulator.
Sources consulted