# Do I Really Need A Structural Engineer For A Simple Porch Roof Addition? **URL:** \ **Category:** Additions\ **Created:** [May 17, 2026, 1:24am UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/do-i-really-need-a-structural-engineer-for-a-simple-porch-roof-addition/47984 "2026-05-17T01:24:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Joker](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/joker/32/14888_2.png) [@Joker](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Joker)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2026, 1:24am UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/do-i-really-need-a-structural-engineer-for-a-simple-porch-roof-addition/47984/1 "2026-05-17T01:24:30Z")
![FrontPorchRoof-69aeef8d5e8542e1b9b8742c873467a0](https://renovation-reviews.storage.googleapis.com/original/2X/2/28c452b844076970cb17d5b241dcf160b2378a76.jpeg) Okay, so I might have gotten myself into a bit of a mess here and I need some quick advice before the local building inspector comes out next week. Over the weekend, my brother and I built a simple lean-to roof addition over our existing back wood deck so we can sit outside when it rains. We just attached a ledger board directly to the house siding, ran some 2x6 rafters out to three 4x4 posts, and threw some corrugated metal panels on top. It took us one day and it feels completely solid when you shake it. Well, my neighbor just walked over and told me that since we attached it directly to the main structure of the house, the city is going to require a building permit and a signed drawing from a licensed structural engineer. He said if we don’t have that, they can force us to tear the entire thing down and fine us. Is he just trying to scare me, or is that actually standard procedure for a basic patio roof addition? I didn’t think something this simple required an engineer to look at it. If I do have to hire one, how much do they usually charge just to look at a small residential project and sign off on a piece of paper? I really don’t want to tear this down, it looks so good and we spent $800 on materials. ---
**Author:** ![Abdul\_Rahman](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/abdul_rahman/32/832_2.png) [@Abdul\_Rahman](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Abdul_Rahman)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2026, 1:27am UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/do-i-really-need-a-structural-engineer-for-a-simple-porch-roof-addition/47984/2 "2026-05-17T01:27:27Z")
You require permit before you carry out things like this, they’ll surely tear it down ---
**Author:** ![Talent\_lawrence\_Godw](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/talent_lawrence_godw/32/14485_2.png) [@Talent\_lawrence\_Godw](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Talent_lawrence_Godw)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2026, 6:55am UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/do-i-really-need-a-structural-engineer-for-a-simple-porch-roof-addition/47984/3 "2026-05-17T06:55:55Z")
Yes you need a professional to do it for you ---
**Author:** ![Richard](https://home.renovation.reviews/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/f0a364/32.png) [@Richard](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Richard)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2026, 6:58am UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/do-i-really-need-a-structural-engineer-for-a-simple-porch-roof-addition/47984/4 "2026-05-17T06:58:01Z")
Your neighbor is right. Attaching to the house alters the structural load, making permits mandatory. Inspections without them risk forced teardowns. Expect an engineer to charge around $300-$800. ---
**Author:** ![Trent](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/trent/32/15133_2.png) [@Trent](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Trent)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2026, 7:14am UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/do-i-really-need-a-structural-engineer-for-a-simple-porch-roof-addition/47984/5 "2026-05-17T07:14:07Z")
For me I do call professionals ---
**Author:** ![MichaelRobert](https://home.renovation.reviews/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@MichaelRobert](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/MichaelRobert)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2026, 7:18am UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/do-i-really-need-a-structural-engineer-for-a-simple-porch-roof-addition/47984/6 "2026-05-17T07:18:08Z")
Your neighbor probably isn’t wrong. Once you attach anything to the house, permits usually get involved. I did call the local building office before the inspection and see what they actually require instead of waiting for surprises later.