What Is a Stop Work Order?
A stop work order is issued by a city building department when construction is proceeding without required permits, without engineered plans, or in violation of building codes. It halts all work on the site until the issues are resolved. In Texas, stop work orders are commonly issued for unpermitted structural modifications, load-bearing wall removals without engineering, foundation work without PE-stamped plans, or construction that doesn't match approved plans.
How an Engineer Resolves a Stop Work Order
To resolve a stop work order, you typically need to: obtain the required permits, provide PE-stamped engineering plans for the structural work, and potentially undergo an inspection to verify existing conditions. Our licensed engineers can evaluate the work already done, perform structural calculations, prepare PE-stamped plans for the completed or in-progress work, and assist with permit applications and plan review responses. We've helped numerous Texas property owners resolve stop work orders quickly.
The Process: From Stop Work to Approved
First, call us at (833) 598-1772. We'll discuss the situation, review any notices from the city, and schedule a site visit if needed. Our PE engineer evaluates the structural work, performs calculations, and prepares the engineering documentation the building department requires. We submit the plans with your permit application and respond to any plan review questions. Most stop work orders can be resolved within 1-2 weeks, depending on the city and the scope of work. For unpermitted work already built, after-the-fact permit packages from QuiPermit are purpose-built to legalize existing construction with engineer-sealed as-built documentation.
Don't Ignore a Stop Work Order
Ignoring a stop work order leads to escalating fines, legal action, and potentially having to undo completed work. The longer you wait, the more expensive and complicated the resolution becomes. If you've received a stop work order, call a licensed engineer immediately. We deal with building departments across Texas every day and know exactly what documentation they need to release the order and let construction resume.