Service
Structural Engineering for Existing Buildings
Structural assessment, structural evaluation and structural repair engineering for existing South Florida buildings.
- Verification
- Florida PE-led engineering, delivered to the Fortis Standard
- Updated
- September 4, 2026
The Direct Answer
What Does Fortis Provide As A Structural Engineer For An Existing Building?
Fortis BuildSafe Solutions provides structural assessment, structural evaluation, design and consulting for existing buildings — including drawings, calculations and written opinions prepared under the responsible charge of the Engineer of Record. The scope of any engagement is stated in writing before work begins.
What Is Included?
Structural assessment, structural evaluation and design for buildings that are already standing. The scope of each engagement is defined in writing at the outset: what is being assessed or designed, what will be delivered, and what falls outside the assignment.
Typical engagements include structural repair engineering for balconies, slab edges and columns after an inspection finding; load evaluation for rooftop equipment, solar arrays or a change of use; structural review of alterations, additions and openings in load-bearing walls; shoring and reshoring plans; and letters and calculations a building department or lender requires for an existing building.
When Does A Building Need A Structural Engineer?
When a condition has been observed and somebody has to decide what it means, or when work on an existing structure needs engineering documentation. Where the question begins with a failure or a dispute, it usually starts as a forensic investigation instead.
Where design leads into construction, repair drawings and construction administration are described under building restoration oversight, so the board can see which role Fortis is holding at each stage.
Which Counties Does Fortis Serve?
Fortis serves owners, associations and property managers across Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach.
Who Seals The Work
A licensed Florida professional engineer in — the Engineer of Record for that project — signs and seals the output, to the Fortis Standard.
Direct responsible charge is defined by Florida Administrative Code Rule 61G15-18.011 as the degree of personal control an engineer is required to maintain over engineering decisions, whether made personally or by others under the engineer’s supervisory direction, as the Engineer of Record.
Common Structural Engineering Questions
What does Fortis provide as a structural engineer?
Structural assessment, structural evaluation, design and consulting for existing buildings, with applicable final engineering documents prepared under the responsible charge of the Engineer of Record. The scope of any engagement is stated in writing before work begins, so the association or owner knows exactly which drawings, calculations or opinions are being produced.
Is the work sealed by a licensed Florida engineer?
Yes. Design and consulting output is signed and sealed by a licensed Florida professional engineer in direct responsible charge (Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G15-18.011) — the Engineer of Record for that project — not by a technician working unsupervised.
Does Fortis design new buildings?
The practice is directed at existing buildings: structural design and consulting for buildings already standing, including work that follows an inspection or investigation. If a project falls outside that, Fortis says so rather than accepting it.
What does the board receive?
Drawings, calculations or a written engineering opinion, as defined in the scope letter. Applicable final engineering documents are sealed when required for the agreed deliverable.
Can Fortis review another engineer’s design?
Yes. Independent structural review of drawings, shoring plans or contractor submittals is a common engagement, scoped in writing and sealed by the reviewing Fortis PE.
Scope reference
Sealed By The Engineer Of Record
Structural design documents for an existing building are signed and sealed by a licensed Florida PE in direct responsible charge (Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G15-18.011).
Establish Where Your Building Stands
Send the property details and Fortis will confirm which requirement applies and provide a written scope before any fieldwork begins.