Three roles, often confused, doing very different things. Knowing which one you need saves you time and money.
The home inspector
What they are: A licensed inspector (in Utah, a Certified Master Inspector or similar credential) who examines a house before purchase to flag visible defects and concerns.
What they do: Walk through the house, look at the roof, the systems, the foundation, the framing visible from the basement and attic, and write a long report. They identify potential problems and recommend follow-up with specialists when something's beyond their scope.
What they don't do: Engineering analysis. Calculations. Design. They can tell you "there's a crack in the basement wall," but they can't tell you whether the crack is structurally significant. They can tell you "the deck looks loose," but they can't tell you whether the connection meets code.
Cost: Typically $400-$700 for a full home inspection.
When to hire one: Before any home purchase.
The structural engineer
What they are: A licensed Professional Engineer (PE) with structural specialization. Engineering license is issued by the state after a degree, years of supervised experience, and a national exam. The PE seal is legally significant — it means the person stands behind the analysis with their license.
What they do: Evaluate structural elements (foundations, framing, walls, beams, roofs) for safety and code compliance. Run calculations. Design new structures or repairs. Sign and seal letters and plans the building department will accept for permits.
What they don't do: General home inspection. Plumbing, electrical, HVAC evaluations. Building things themselves.
Cost: $400-$700 for a single letter or focused inspection. $1,500-$3,000 for an ADU or addition. $3,000-$7,500+ for a custom home or complex project. See our pricing post for the details.
When to hire one: When the home inspector flags something structural and you want a real answer. When the city requires an engineer letter for a permit. When you're designing an addition, ADU, deck, retaining wall, or anything new. When you have foundation cracks you're worried about.
The general contractor
What they are: A licensed builder who actually constructs the work. Utah requires general contractor licensing (B100 license).
What they do: Build what's designed. Manage subcontractors. Pull permits and schedule inspections. Translate plans into a finished product.
What they don't do: Engineering. Design. Code interpretation beyond what's in the approved plans. A contractor who tells you "you don't need an engineer for this" is sometimes right and sometimes wrong, and they aren't the legal authority on the question — the building department is, and the engineer is.
Cost: Varies wildly by project.
When to hire one: Once you have engineered plans (when needed) and want the project actually built.
The typical sequence
For a buyer:
- Home inspector during the buyer's inspection period
- If the inspector flags structural items, structural engineer for a focused evaluation
- If the engineer recommends repair, contractor to do the work
For a homeowner planning a remodel:
- Engineer first, for any letters or plans the city will require
- Contractor second, with the engineered plans in hand for an honest bid
- Building inspector during construction
The "do I need an engineer for this" gut check
If the answer to any of these is yes, you probably need an engineer:
- The city is asking for engineered plans
- You're cutting into a foundation wall
- You're removing a load-bearing wall
- You're adding to the existing structure
- You're building a retaining wall over 4 feet (or with a surcharge)
- You have an active foundation crack you're worried about
- You're building anything that might fall on a neighbor
See our inspections and engineer letters page for what we deliver, or send us your situation for a free read.