FAQ
Yes, one of the services that StructuralMD provides is structural inspections which will help you better understand the source of your issue and the appropriate remediation, if needed.
Our Structural Inspection package includes inspection any structural aspect of a building such as footings, foundation, main structural members (beams, columns, girders, bearing walls), and secondary structural members (exterior and interior walls, attic and roof framing). The inspection will be directed by you to the areas of the structure which have created concern. Following the inspection, you will receive a letter of findings and a certification as to the diagnosis of the structural issue(s), signed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer. In that letter, areas of concern will be flagged and recommendations made regarding items that require immediate, short-term, or long-term attention along with budgetary estimates as applicable based on industry standards.
You can call our office at 973-884-4466 or fill out a scheduling form here and we will get in touch with you to find a convenient time.
The typical turn-around time for letters of findings after inspection is 5-7 business days. However, we understand that real estate transactions require a faster response; therefore, we typically provide inspection letters for real estate within 48 hours or 2 business days.
Residential and Commercial customers please contact our office for a price quote. Angie’s List members, please refer to our Store Front offer listed under StructuralMD on Angie’s List.
Yes. StructuralMD provides not only engineering analysis, but also the expertise, labor, and material to fix structural issues.
Yes. First we will determine the extent of the damage and the structural members involved…then we will replace and/or reinforce those members who have been affected.
Yes. StructuralMD has the necessary licenses and insurance to perform engineering and contracting work as required by the municipalities in which we operate.
No. We are experts in structural remediation matters and focus only on that specific work. All other finish work (i.e. drywall, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, painting, etc) will need to be done by a professional in that field hired by you. We will leave your job site broom clean and ready for the next professional.
For structural remediation work that does not require an inspection, we do provide free estimates. Structural Inspections, however, are fee-based.
Structural inspection fees are to be paid in full prior to the inspection. Structural remediation projects require a 50% deposit and the balance at the completion of the project.
It depends. In most cases, yes. But for certain jobs if it is a small repair, no permit may be required. You should check with your town for their guidelines. If a permit is required, StructuralMD will handle the filing of the permit paperwork on your behalf. You are responsible for permitting fees as determined by your town and for attending the inspection.
Lally Column Removal
Structural Reinforcements
Bearing Wall Removal
Structural Engineering Consulting
Floor Leveling
Insect/Rot Damage Repair
Absolutely! We specialize in solving structural problems. Our crews and engineers can handle any and all residential and light commercial structural remediation work.
A Lally column is an architectural term for a long, round, steel pipe oriented vertically to provide support to beams or timbers stretching over long spans. Lally columns are typically positioned in the middle of the span to bear the weight of the structure, and to reduce the tendency of the structure to sag or flex. The lally column is usually, but not always, filled with concrete to provide additional rigidity and strength. These columns can almost always be found in the basement of most residential buildings and homes.
(source: Wikipedia)
The lally column is named after an Irish inventor, John Lally, who owned a construction company that started production of these columns in the late 1800s.
(source: Wikipedia)
Removing the Lally columns in your home allows you to create and improve spaces that were awkward and unusable before. Basements without Lally columns can be made into beautiful home theaters, game rooms, and play rooms. Garages without Lally columns are easier to organize, easier to park in, and simply more useful.
The cost typically starts at around $3,500 and increases depending on the number of columns and the span/size of the existing and required beams. The price is also affected by whether the existing beam is flush or drop. An accurate estimate will be given to you on site once the existing conditions are noted.
The actual removal of the columns will take between one and two days, depending upon the scope of the project. The start of the project will depend upon the timing of the issuance of the town permit.
Steel plates, steel c-channels, and steel beams are all possible materials used. In some cases, fiberglass plates, c-channels and beams can be used also. Existing conditions will dictate the appropriate materials.
All of our reinforcements are designed by our structural engineers and approved by your town building department. In fact, it is likely that removing the Lally columns and replacing them with beam reinforcements will improve the structural support in your home.
Very little settling, if any, will be experienced but it will not likely be noticeable.
Usually, we can remove most, if not all, of the columns up to a certain span. Field conditions, load factors and existing framing will determine the feasibility of removing any particular column.
Even if your columns are not exposed, they can be located and removed. This may provide you the opportunity to remove load bearing walls and change the layout of that area of your home.
Yes…LallyGone offers a limited lifetime warranty.
No… any sheetrock repair, paint, electric work, etc as a result of the project will need to be completed by you or your home improvement contractor.
No. Most homeowner’s insurance policies should cover this work, but we recommend checking with your insurance carrier to verify your coverage specifics.
In most cases, yes. For the states of PA, NJ, and CT, LallyGone will handle the filing and obtaining of the necessary permit. You will be responsible for any permit fees.
If you require a permit, there will be one required inspection by the town building inspector which will occur shortly after the project is complete. LallyGone will schedule the inspection for you, but you are responsible to attend the inspection. In the rare instance that work is required by the town to pass, LallyGone will handle this work at no additional cost to you, assuming it is part of the original project scope.
Yes. LallyGone, LLC is licensed in the state of NJ, PA, and CT; we work in affiliation with licensed contractors in some other states.
Presently LallyGone is offering our services within the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, as well as eastern Pennsylvania. We are working on expanding nationwide wherever Lally columns need to be liberated! Contact us if you are interested in becoming a certified partner.