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    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon43
    Verified structural engineering services reviews

Top-Rated Structural engineers in Lafayette - Updated Nov 2026

Avatar for Mark Brand Architecture
Mark Brand Architecture
5.0(
8
)
Architect

Serving Lafayette, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1986

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"hired Mark Brand Architecture to design an extensive remodel for my house in San Francisco. Mark and his staff gave me a lot of help during the remodel, especially when it came to working around or through problems that the old structure of the house posed including working with the project engineers. When I had to temporarily stop the remodel due to health issues, Mark and his team stepped in to make sure the job was kept on schedule. I feel they went above and beyond the call of duty with this project."
Raise the Roof!
Raise the Roof!
Raise the Roof!
Raise the Roof!
Raise the Roof!

+37

Response time2 days
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Team2 Architecture + Design
Team2 Architecture + Design
4.5(
25
)
ArchitectArchitect - For BusinessDraftsperson/CADD

Serving Lafayette, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1997

Small jobs welcome

Offers commercial services

"Shilpa working with her structural engineer completed all the architectural and structural plans and calculations for a 400SF single story addition, complete with drilled piers and grade beams, in just over two months for submittal to City for review. Shilpa is very easy to work with and is quite readily available to fit my work and project schedule. Shilpa is very responsive to my comments and timely completion of required documents. Cost is reasonable. City has few review comments and issued permit for construction. I would definitely retain Shilpa again when the need comes up."
Response time1 day
Recommended by72%of homeowners
Avatar for Evolution Drafting
Evolution Drafting
3.7(
128
)
Draftsperson/CADDArchitectArchitect - For Business

Serving Lafayette, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I am having a full master bath and kitchen remodel done with new layouts in both rooms and knocking out a wall. Evolution worked with me to quickly get a drawing done of the new layouts so that the contractor could get started on the project. They made sure to include me in the process so that the design would be done exactly as my wife and I envisioned. They communicated effectively throughout the process and were always courteous and professional. I recommend them to anyone with drafting needs."
Zeal Floor Plan
Charcoal
Palm Floor Plan
Charcoal Floor 2
Charcoal Floor 1

+23

Response time1 day
Response rate100%
66 neighbors recently requested a quote
StudioNorth
4.9(
7
)
Draftsperson/CADD

Serving Lafayette, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2012

Customers say: Quick response

"Esther responded quickly to my inquiry, made me feel comfortable in determining what could be done with the space on a limited budget, offered many options and followed through with updates and contacts efficiently so that I had the best solutions and products available to complete the project."
2 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Thorn Architects
4.8(
5
)
Architect

Serving Lafayette, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1988

Free estimates

Warranties offered

Thorn Architects is a full service architectural design/build firm with projects in Napa Valley, SF Bay Area and the Monterey Peninsula.Our practice covers all aspects of residential architecture including new custom residential, additions, whole-house remodels, kitchen and bathroom design,custom cabinetry design and fabrication. \n\nWe strive to synthesize form and use; site, structure and interiors result in an integrated whole. Each project is a unique reflection of our client's experiences and desires for their home.\n\nWe are LEED Accredited Professionals and Certified Green Building Professionals. Thorn Architects values the fundamental elements of sustainability: aesthetics, longevity and materials.

 Complete
 Custom Cabinets/Viking
 Kitchen Complete
 Complete
Response time50 mins
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by33%of homeowners
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Structural Engineering FAQs, answered by experts

Yes, you can put a doorway in a structural wall; in fact, most exterior doors are set into structural walls. The project is a little more challenging than installing a door in a non-load-bearing wall because you need a structural engineer to assess the wall and make sure it’s safe to create a wall opening. Your engineer’s report will include instructions for your contractor on how and where to install additional supports, like steel headers above the door, to distribute the weight above to the wall on either side of the door.

The best way to determine if ceiling cracks are structural is to hire a ceiling contractor to inspect the cracks and provide a professional opinion. That said, you might be able to make an educated guess based on the size and appearance of the crack. Larger cracks, cracks accompanied by sagging or discoloration, and cracks that travel from the ceiling down the walls are all signs of structural issues.

You should pick steel for your new support beam for a few reasons. While steel is more expensive than other materials, such as laminated veneer lumber or glulam, it offers the following benefits:

  • Fire-resistant

  • Unaffected by pests

  • Longer-lasting

  • Stronger against water damage (when galvanized against rust)

No, beams are the primary load-bearers for flooring or roofing systems, and they distribute the weight of the structure to your foundational supports, while joists bear far less weight and distribute their loads to the beams. Beams are usually thicker and longer, and they have support posts or foundation walls beneath them for support.

A structural engineer's report provides a professional assessment of a property's structural condition. It typically includes an evaluation of the foundation, key structural elements like roof trusses, floor joists, studs, beams, and rafters. The report will also contain a detailed description of the engineer's findings, often supported by photographs, and provide recommendations to correct any identified issues. Depending on the scope of the inspection, it might also include an assessment of property drainage, potential issues from environmental conditions like extreme weather or tree placement, and an estimated time and cost for any recommended repairs.

The Lafayette, CA homeowners’ guide to structural engineering services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.