Why does my conventional loan need an engineer's report?
Your lender wants a Professional Engineer to look at the home and put the findings in writing. What the report must cover depends on the lender's written request, so ask for that wording before you order anything.
What does the engineer actually do?
An engineer visits the home in person, looks at the parts the lender asked about, and issues a signed report. Depending on the request, that might be the foundation, or the structure of a home that has been moved. The report covers the agreed scope and nothing more.
Do all lenders ask for the same report?
No. "We need an engineer's letter" can mean different things from one lender or loan program to the next. A foundation certification and a structural opinion on a moved home are not necessarily the same assignment. Our guide on questions to ask your lender before the inspection gives you a list to take to the call.
What should you send us?
You do not need to have everything. Send what you have and say what is missing:
- The property address and state.
- The lender's request, word for word.
- Any earlier engineering report.
- What you know about additions, repairs, or a move.
- Who can let us in, and your target closing date.
Your credit, income, and bank records stay with your lender. We do not need them.
Does the report mean my loan is approved?
No. The report supports your lender's review. Your lender looks at the whole file, including your application, the appraisal, and the title, and decides whether the home and the loan meet its requirements. We cannot promise that any home or loan will qualify.
What if the report finds a problem?
You will want to know, and an honest report says so. If it does, ask the engineer what further information or work is needed and what each step would cost in time before you agree to anything. Paying for a report does not guarantee a favorable result, because the conclusions depend on what the engineer finds.
Where do the reports apply?
Each report is signed by an engineer licensed in the state where the home sits: Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, or Indiana.
What is the first step?
Get your lender's request in writing. Our conventional loan structural report service covers the visit and the signed report. Send us the address and your lender's wording. We reply within one business day.