06/20/2026
🏡 Cotter Street
Our buddy Patrick from stopped by to inspect the existing structure. This is where the structural engineer steps in after the designer .ca . His job is to determine whether the proposed design can actually be built and, if so, what materials, beams, foundations, and structural requirements are needed to make it happen.
That information helps me as the builder understand the scope of work and lock down a realistic budget. It also allows the designers to adjust their plans to accommodate any structural or mechanical details that may not have been apparent during the initial design phase.
Today we were evaluating the 1980s addition attached to this 1911 home. One side appears to have a block foundation while the other side is poured concrete. We’ll see what the engineers recommend, but I’ll also be excavating and inspecting sections myself. If I’m not comfortable with the condition, we may decide that rebuilding portions from new is the better long-term solution.
Engineers can only see so much during a site visit. As builders, we have to continually reassess conditions and make sure the right decisions are being made. Good communication between the designer, engineer, and builder is critical during both the planning and construction phases.
That’s one of the biggest advantages of bringing your builder in early. It saves time, money, and headaches later on.
Stay tuned as I walk through the final designs and engineered drawings.
📩 www.hanlonhomes.com for free consultations.
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” — Proverbs 15:22
🏗️ Designer vs. Engineer
• Designer – Creates the layout, floor plans, and overall look of the home. Turns your ideas into a functional design.
• Engineer – Makes sure the design can be built safely by specifying foundations, beams, materials, and structural requirements.
The designer creates the vision, and the engineer makes sure it stands.