Which drawings does the permit need?
Permit drawings
A complete set of drawings, so your application does not come back.
More about permit drawingsWill my house crack?
Structural calculation against cracks and sinking
We calculate the foundation, columns and beams for your design and your soil. That prevents cracks and sinking years later.
Cracks start below the ground
Many houses get cracked walls or a sinking floor after a few years. The cause is rarely the blocks, but a foundation that was guessed instead of calculated.
- A foundation that doesn't suit the soil
- Too little reinforcement, or in the wrong place
- Columns and beams sized by eye
- No allowance for wind or an extra floor later
How we calculate your structure
Your house is calculated for what it really has to carry.
Your soil
We look at the soil on your plot and ask for a soil survey when needed.
The real weight
Foundation, columns and beams calculated for what they carry.
Wind and hurricanes
Roof and anchoring calculated for the wind in your country.
Steel on the drawing
Your builder sees exactly which reinforcement goes where.
Concrete that lasts
Enough concrete cover on the steel against rust, especially near the sea.
Ready for later
On request, calculated for a floor you build later.
What this saves you
No expensive repairs
Fixing cracks and sinking costs far more than a calculation.
No excess steel
A calculation also stops needless extra concrete and steel.
Peace of mind
You know your house is built for what it has to carry.
This video is coming soon. Feel free to ask your question on WhatsApp.
Video
Watch: why a house cracks after a few years
What happens below the ground, and how a calculation prevents it.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Do I need a structural calculation for the permit?
Often yes, certainly with an extra floor. In St Maarten a small house can sometimes follow fixed rules without a calculation, but a calculation gives more certainty.
Do I need a soil survey?
On soft ground or with an extra floor we recommend it. We tell you when it is needed.
Can you check an existing house?
Yes, for example before you build an extra floor on it. We check what the foundation can carry.
Does the builder get a reinforcement drawing?
Yes. It shows which steel goes where, so nobody has to guess.
Often combined with
Who checks the building site?
Construction supervision
We check that your builder builds what is on the drawing.
More about construction supervisionWant to extend?
Renovation and extension
Drawings for an extra room, floor or carport, with the permit.
More about renovation and extensionGet your fixed price for structural calculation
Send your plot size and what you want to build. You get a price for your drawings, with no obligation.