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Structural engineers that don't **** in Massachusetts?

1950coronet600hp

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So I have a barn garage, built in 1924. I'm looking to redesign the roof trusses to free span 20' I have called about 6 structural engineers, have been bounced to voicemail on all but 1 and not a single one has called me back. I've tried to stay local to my area (central western Mass) but that's failing miserably. can anyone recommend an engineer that's licensed in MA that doesn't just cherry pick the gravy jobs? thanks folks!
 
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1950coronet600hp

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so how does one legally build? I can run the numbers myself, but the certification means everything if anything happens...
 

Steve_P

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I've had zero luck find an engineer or architect for small residential work, and don't think I'm alone. It's very unfortunate.

The problem is that most of the people that request these types of jobs freak out when they get an estimate on the engineering cost, and walk away. After a few of those, you'd also ignore small possible jobs if you have plenty of other work. It's like how most body shops don't want to quote to paint a hood on an old car as long as they have plenty of insurance work.

I am not a civil engineer, I'm mechanical, but I worked for a contract engineering firm and have seen the above sooo many times. We'd have individuals come in for a quote on a patent drawing, and when my boss would give them an estimate, they'd freak out over the labor rate and cost. He'd tell them it was a cheaper labor rate than the local Ford dealer, but it didn't matter to them. After a while we even turned down quoting jobs from one large local company because after wasting hundreds of hours quoting large complex projects over a few years, we never once got a job from them.

edit- I agree with the above post- call a truss company as they would have to have a licensed CE if they do custom trusses. Or use someone on contract and could refer you.
 

reader2580

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I don't think you will find a lot of structural engineers willing to take on the liability of redesigning a roof structure on an old building. A structural engineer can be held liable if anything happens to the structure so long as the work was done to the engineer's plans.

I suspect structural engineers are also pretty busy and not as willing to take on jobs that have more liability to them. It is easier to do the engineering on new buildings.
 

RPH

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Find the local craftsmen that restore old barns. We have quite a few around me locally. Some are Amish and others are contractors that specialize in barn restorations. They look for your project. I’m sure you have have the same local resources.
 

budget76

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good luck. I replaced a wall with a beam & columns in my house. took me a couple weeks just to find an Engr to do the drawings (permit reqd etc). And I paid something like $1500. Crazy I thought, but it was what it was
 

The Tool Tyrant

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I am assuming that instead of existing trusses, you have a conventionally stacked (stick built) roof as the span would need to be huge to require 3 point bearing trusses.
If this is the case, and you're trying to remove an existing interior bearing wall, then you would indeed require a structural engineer. If you are REMOVING the existing roof system and replacing with trusses, then a truss company is all you need as they engineer in-house.
 

billconner

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So I'm confused if trusses or rafters and ceiling joists/rafter ties. 1924 and 20' makes me think rafters and joists/ties - but that's just a guess.

Also not sure what you are removing that makes what have to "free span".

20' should be easy if a ceiling joist/rafter tie, and would not require an engineer where I live.
 
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zak77

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Which town are you located in? Are you just looking for what to do or are you actually looking at replacing the roof structure that's there?
 

Ecosta777

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MA
So I have a barn garage, built in 1924. I'm looking to redesign the roof trusses to free span 20' I have called about 6 structural engineers, have been bounced to voicemail on all but 1 and not a single one has called me back. I've tried to stay local to my area (central western Mass) but that's failing miserably. can anyone recommend an engineer that's licensed in MA that doesn't just cherry pick the gravy jobs? thanks folks!
Joe is the son of a family friend and was a couple years behind me in school, I'm not sure if he does that type of thing or if he does more residential, but he's a great guy who just started his own business. Doesn't appear to have a website yet, can't seem to get the Google link to work. But he's business is LMG Studio - Ware, MA. Google that and it'll come up. Here is his FB also
Joe Leaming

Also try Stephen Fleshman, in Brimfield, MA. Another family friend and great guy. He did the framing plans for my kitchen remodel few years ago.
Steve Fleshman Architect
 
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strutaeng

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A photo of what OP has is going to worth a thousand words here.

Could be common roof joists for 20' span as @billconner mentioned.

If it's 1920 and steel, most likely riveted connections. I've seen a handful of those, but typically longer spans.

Are they wood trusses? Maybe have steel connections? No truss manufacturer is going to want anything to do with a building that old. I think the so-called steel "bar joists" historical tables go back to like the 1950s. I've had to pull some old tables for load checks like when adding RTUs.

Wood truss manufacturers (the spiked plated trusses you see everywhere) are probably going to laugh at you if you call them because they weren't even around in that era. I think those started in like the 1980s, maybe late 70s?
 

Mainiac Mat

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In my (admittedly limited) experience, independent structural engineers usually work as subs to architects, or larger construction companies (often with "house" architects). This is there bread and butter and repeat business. If their plate is consistently filled by their normal client base, they probably won't take "walk ins". Still, you think someone could do you the courtesy of returning your call.
 

Mainiac Mat

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Another problem is the nature of "retro-fit" work... especially if it's old and built from rough cut or other non-structurally certified lumber.
You can't really rate a structure, unless you can assign a strength value to the members, and you can't assign a credible strength value to non-graded lumber with no stamps. Who wants to own that? I'm licensed in ME, and I wouldn't touch it with a 10' pole.
 

firebirdparts

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Every locale is different as far as real requirements, but here, people who sell trusses (and this is not an exclusive establishment) always have the engineer in-house.
 

Mainiac Mat

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Every locale is different as far as real requirements, but here, people who sell trusses (and this is not an exclusive establishment) always have the engineer in-house.
This is my experience as well... I always call the truss guys and ask them to run the numbers. They provide the complete printout from the software, and they will have their in house structural guy stamp the print set on request. All this just to get your order. I don't know if the Middleton/LaValley organization ships into central MA, but they're a big outfit and their truss factory is in Western NH.

My read of the OP was that he wanted to modify existing, not rip off the roof and replace with new.
 

Roothawg

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Do you guys know Jay Sweet in NH? He goes by NoSurf on the hamb. He has a license in all of the surrounding states and he is a geek for all things vintage. Especially buildings.
 

billspit

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I worked for an engineering firm and we didn’t touch residential clients. You will need to find a one man operation or the people mentioned above.
 
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