Originally Posted by
Alton Darty
Deferred one that was a little worse than this to an SE, who basically told the client not to worry, it was as bad as it was going to get and that he didn't think that it was that bad.
Alton,
The structural engineer can say that ... as long as they sign and seal that letter, making it an official engineering opinion, one which they can be held to.
For the home inspector, though, even have had a structural engineer give a letter like that for a previous condition similar to that one in the photo, I'd still write it up and recommend a structural engineer design appropriate repairs - one of the "appropriate repairs" is "no repair".
*IF* I found that same condition several times, and each structural engineer (different ones, not the same one) gave the same signed and sealed opinion, then (and only then) would I write it up recommending structural engineer design appropriate repairs, but I would then tell my client that they really should have a structural engineer look at it, however, I've found this condition x times before and each of those x times the structural engineer has deemed it okay, thus, my recommendation would be *to at least* get the engineer's letter stating it is okay for your protection in case something does happen, and for your protection when you go to sell - just bring out that engineer's letter stating it is okie dokie. That the cost of the engineer is small potatoes related to what could happen and would you could be in for when you sell.