R Michael Gray PE, Houston Texas Structural Engineer, home inspector, author of Homebuyer's Guide to Slab-on-Ground Foundations and webmaster for www.houston-slab-foundations.info, specializes in providing home buyers and owners with...
HOUSTON TEXAS STRUCTURAL INSPECTION REPORTS IN 12 HOURS
Houston Texas Structural Engineer R Michael Gray PE 281-358-1121
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R Michael Gray PE
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Who is R Michael Gray, PE?
Over 25 years experience as a Houston Home Inspector/Texas Professional Engineer
Texas Professional Structural Engineer, #72949.
SBCCI Registered One and Two Family (code) Inspector, #4700
Author of the book, Buyer's Guide to Slab-on-Ground Foundations.
Has inspected over 13,000 homes as a Houston home inspector and Texas Professional Structural Engineer
Author of two professional papers regarding evaluation of slab-on-ground foundations.
Coauthor of Guidelines for the Evaluation of Foundation Movement for Residential and Other Low-Rise Buildings published by the Foundation Performance Association
What They Say About R Michael Gray, PE
"We have bought 9 homes during our adult life. We have never seen an inspection this thorough."
"We started a foundation watering program and installed root barriers for three trees a year ago. The root barriers solved the problem. Your advice saved us at least $15,000."
"I know when my buyers pick you they will get a thorough, detailed report. When I am the listing agent and I hear the buyer has selected Michael Gray, I just cross my fingers."
"I did not like you at all when you inspected the house I was selling. Now that I am the buyer - I want you on my side."
Companies My Clients Worked For
Exxon-Mobil, Shell Oil, Conoco-Phillips, Chevron, Houston Port Authority, Brown and Root, Kellogg Brown and Root, Halliburton, Delta Engineering, Forensic Engineers, Inc., Friendswood Development, Village Builders, Newmark Builders, Shaw Group, DPIS Engineering, Fluor, Wells Fargo, City of Houston, MD Anderson, Momentum Energy, Memorial Hermann, Occidental, Bayer Chemical, Arco, The Offshore Company, Administaff, Holloman Engineering, Klad Manufacturing, Rice University, Bechtel, Kitchens and More, Texas Childrens Hospital, Cintas Corporation, IBM, Continental Airlines, University of Houston, St. Thomas University
Texas Engineering Firm Registration Number
F-2171
your HOUSTON texas STRUCTURAL INSPECTION REPORT will be emailed within 12 hours of the inspection
How can we do this when other engineers need 3 to 5 days to get you a written report? After over 13,000 inspections, I know how to organize my work to email you a thorough, accurate engineering home inspection report in a timely manner. There are no secrets. Here is how we do it.
I inspect no more than two foundations each day. Not three or four. Your foundation has my full, undivided attention.
I use a state-of-the-art digital recorder - a huge time saver.
I use a state-of-the-art digital camera - for a more accurate, thorough and informative report.
I bring a lap top computer to the inspection so that measurements and other information about the foundation can be entered directly into the computer. This saves time and allows me to double check the information for accuracy and completeness.
I use a copywrited report format I designed to facilitate producing accurate, timely inspection reports.
My report has a program embedded in it so that the measurement data entered into the report is automaticlly used to calculate foundation deflection.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HOUSTON texas STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS AND HOUSTON
TEXAS STRUCTURAL INSPECTION reportS
What is a structural engineering foundation inspection? My structual engineering foundation inspection is an independent, unbiased engineering assessment of the structural performance of the foundation. I make measurements and calculations to estimate the deflection (bending) and tilt of the foundation across structually important profiles. These estimates are then compared to applicable structual engineering standards for deflection and tilt. You can download a sample report by clicking here.
How much do you charge? Our fees are based primarily on the size, construction and age of the house and the specific services you require. Each house is quoted individually.
Can I rely on the real estate inspectors report? The rules that apply to Licensed Real Estate Inspectors specify that they report whether the foundation performance is "deficient." They are not reqiured to render an opinion as to whether the foundation requires repair. Only Professional Structual Engineers are qualified to deetermine if a foundation needs repair or does not need repair.
Can I have a foundation repair contractor inspect the foundation? Foundation repair contractors are not qualified to make a structural analysis of a foundation to determine if the foundation actually needs repair. Nor is a foundation repair contractor allowed, under current state law, to prepare an engineering design for repairing a foundation if the house is on expansive soils. Only Professional Structural Engineers are qualified to deetermine if a foundation needs repair or does not need repair. Only Professional Structural Engineers can legally design a foundation repair in expansive soil areas which includes virtually the entire Greater Houston Area.
Can I attend the inspection? Absolutely. I encourage buyer participation in the inspection.
How fast do I get the report? I take pride in the fact that I can normally email you a professional typed report that includes digital photos and video links within 12 hours of finishing the inspection. Most inspectors and engineers need days, not hours, to deliver a report.
Who gets a copy of my report? Only you get a copy of the report unless you direct otherwise. I encourage clients to allow me to email the report to their real estate agent.
Do you work for home sellers and home owners? Yes. If your home shows signs of damage from foundation movement, you would be smart to have an engineer assess the performance of the foundation before you put the house on the market or soon thereafter.
What are your qualifications? I have 39 years experience in the construction and structual engineering business and over 25 years experience in the home inspection business. I have published two peer reviewed technical papers on structual engineering foundation inspections and I have inspected over around 13,000 homes. I have taught numerous seminars on foundation evaluations, plumbing, electrical and other aspects of home inspections through such organizations as Texas A&M and the Texas Association of Real Estate Inspectors. Also, I am the webmaster for the website www.houston-slab-foundations.info, easily the most informative and comprehensive website devoted to slab-on-ground foundations in the Greater Houston Area.
How long have you done inspections? I started doing home inspections in 1986. I have made engineering foundation inspections since 1992.
Why should I retain you as opposed to another engineer? If I had to pick one compelling reason, it is that I can deliver you a competent, detailed, sealed and signed written engineering report within 12 hours of the inspection.
Do you require that I sign a service agreement? Yes. To avoid any misunderstandings, I require that you review and sign my Consulting Serivce Agreement.Click here to download a copy.
How can I get on your schedule? Give me a call at 281-358-1121.