I hired a structural engineer to inspect my deck to tell me if I can put a hot tub on it. He told me that I could if I added some bolts, reinforced some joists, etc, and made a schematic.

Since then I have read so many posts on Reddit saying it is basically IMPOSSIBLE for a deck to support a tub unless it was designed to do so so now I’m nervous it’ll collapse despite what he said, since mine certainly wasn’t designed that way.

The thing is he came and inspected it but obviously can’t tell the depth of the posts. He also said I could get some sagging of the foundation but he couldn’t be sure without digging it up. Nevertheless he said with his recommendations it would be safe. How can he say this if he’s unsure about the foundation?