· 4 min read
Crawl Space vs. Slab vs. Basement in North Carolina
A structural engineer's honest comparison of crawl space, slab, and basement foundations in NC — cost, soil, moisture, and which fits your lot.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
From the field
Plain-English answers to the structural questions homeowners actually ask — written by Cody Johnston, PE, MBA.
· 4 min read
Do You Need an Architect to Build a House in North Carolina?
No — NC law exempts single-family homes from requiring an architect. Here's what the permit office actually requires, and who to hire instead.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 5 min read
How Much Does It Cost to Get House Plans Stamped by an Engineer?
Real prices for getting house plans engineered and stamped by a licensed PE — what drives the cost, what's included, and what to avoid.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 4 min read
Building Your Own House in North Carolina: Owner-Builder Guide
Yes, you can be your own GC in North Carolina. A licensed engineer walks through the owner-builder rules, the permit set, and where the PE fits.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 6 min read
The Structural Decisions That Quietly Add $30,000 to a Custom Home
Modern homes fall outside the code's span charts. An engineer on the design decisions — and mid-build structural fixes — that drive custom home cost.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 3 min read
Why Your Barndominium Plans Need a PE Stamp
Barndominium kits rarely include the engineering your county requires. A licensed PE explains what's missing and how to get plans permit-ready.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 5 min read
Permit Rejected? How to Get an Engineer's Seal on Your Plans
Your county won't permit your house plans without an engineer's seal. Here's what the reviewer wants, what engineering adds, and how resubmittal works.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 5 min read
How to Make Your Construction Estimates Accurate
Most estimating misses trace back to structure nobody resolved before the bid. Here's how builders tighten construction estimates before they send one.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 4 min read
Why Every House With Trusses Must Have an Engineer of Record
A truss stamp covers only the trusses. See why ANSI/TPI 1 expects a separate engineer of record for your home — and what goes undesigned without one.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 6 min read
5 Things to Check Before You Buy a Stock House Plan
Five structural red flags to catch in a stock house plan before you buy — roof spans, oversized beams, and the details that cost you at permit time.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 2 min read
A Passed Inspection Is Not the Same as a Sound Structure
A newly built home passed every local inspection — yet had significant structural code violations. What that means for buyers, owners, and attorneys.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 3 min read
Behind the Headlines: What a School Wall Crack Actually Revealed
A crack in a school wall triggered a forensic investigation — and what was found underneath was the real safety concern. A licensed PE explains.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 11 min read
A Truss Is Not a Big Board. Stop Cutting It.
How roof and floor trusses actually carry load — and why one sawzall cut can turn an engineered assembly into a very expensive pile of kindling.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 4 min read
The Most Responsive Engineer > The Most Local Engineer
Proximity doesn't get your plans stamped. Why a responsive, state-licensed structural engineer beats hiring whoever's closest.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 5 min read
7 Questions to Ask Your Architect Before You Sign
Before you sign an architect's contract, ask these 7 questions about engineering fees, construction cost, and who your structural engineer works for.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 7 min read
The $7,000 Engineering Cap That Cost $50,000
An architect capped structural engineering at $7,000. The design needed steel — adding $50,000 to build. Fee caps don't cap cost. They relocate it.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 2 min read
Understanding the Truss Submittal Workflow
Why you must have a building engineer to use roof trusses — and why the truss manufacturer is not your building engineer. Per ANSI/TPI 1, step by step.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 4 min read
Crawlspace Encapsulation and Your Structure
How crawlspace encapsulation protects your home from moisture, structural damage, and pests — an engineer's perspective on the benefits and the cost.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 2 min read
How Cheap Engineering Can Lead to Costly Construction
Hiring low-cost engineering can balloon construction costs. A PE's real-world case study: $21,000 wasted on one house — and how quality design saves money.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 1 min read
Top 5 Things to Do Before Hiring a Builder
The essential steps before you hire a builder: budget, land, build-ready checks, house design, and structural engineering — in the right order.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 3 min read
Architect vs Structural Engineer: What Is the Difference?
Learn the difference between architects and structural engineers in residential construction, and how their collaboration brings houses to life.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA
· 3 min read
When to Hire a Residential Structural Engineer
When in the home-building process to hire a structural engineer — and what it costs you to wait too long. From a licensed PE.
Cody Johnston, PE, MBA