Basement Development - Review by an engineer?

[snootchiebootchies]

I will be developing my basement this summer but hit a snag when I went to City Hall to get my building permit. Planning to put a big window (57" length by 36" width) in the basement bedroom but was told that any opening in the foundation wall greater than 48" in length requires a engineer's review to make sure the foundation wall is "laterally stable". I'm a registered mechanical engineer with APEGGA but I'm in the environmental field. I would certainly not consider structural engineering to be my forte. So does anyone know how I would go about getting a structural engineer's review of my foundation wall? And how much does such a review cost? And can I get any registered engineer (say, a buddy or something) competent in structural engineering to sign off on my plans or do I have to hire someone who do these sort of reviews for a living?

Thanks in advance for any insight you folks can give me.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

There's no reason you couldn't get a friend to do it provided he is qualified.
Being an engineer I'm sure I don't have to tell you this, but if you or someone you know signs off on something that is outside their realm of expertise it could lead to them losing their designation.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by snootchiebootchies

So does anyone know how I would go about getting a structural engineer's review of my foundation wall?

I could put you in touch with a company that would do it, pm me.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by fotze

Ya I could direct you to Structural Engineering firms in the yellow pages too.

I offered first.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by snootchiebootchies

I would certainly not consider structural engineering to be my forte, but this is...

[HalifaxDrunk]

Dang beat by Bolobla by mere seconds........