Get matched with top structural engineers in Pacifica, CA

Q: How do you know if a wall is load-bearing?

• <div><p>The easiest way to <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/load-bearing-wall.htm">tell if a wall is load bearing</a> is to check if it&rsquo;s an exterior wall or if it runs perpendicular to the joists above and below it (or parallel to beams). Exterior walls are almost always load-bearing, and walls that run under beams or parallel to them are also usually load-bearing. There are exceptions to these rules, and walls that don&rsquo;t fit into these categories can still be load-bearing. If you&rsquo;re unsure, hire a structural engineer to look at your home to assess whether or not the wall is structural.</p></div>

Q: What are the disadvantages of a cathedral ceiling?

• <div><p>Cathedral ceilings make a statement in your home, but at the cost of your attic space. Normal attics are wide open, which allows warm air to move around and exit your home. Because of this, cathedral ceilings make your home less energy efficient and put your ceiling at risk of venting issues if you&rsquo;re not careful. They also reduce your attic storage space, potentially cause an echo, and even make it harder to change a light bulb. </p></div>

Q: How deep does a monolithic slab need to be?

• <div><p>The depth of any foundation style depends on your climate and how deep the frost line is, as building code requires that the footers of a foundation&mdash;which are built into a monolithic slab&mdash;sit at least a foot below the frost line. At the southern tip of Florida, for example, a monolithic slab foundation would only need to sit 12 inches under the soil at the widest parts. On some parts of the Canadian border, the frost line is 100 inches, which would mean a minimum of 112 inches, which is prohibitively deep for a monolithic slab.</p></div>

Q: Where are most load-bearing walls located?

• <div><p>Most load-bearing walls are exterior, though they can also be interior.</p></div>

Q: How do contractors cut a doorway in a concrete block wall?

• <div><p>First, most contractors will have a structural engineer create a report and plan for your project to ensure it&rsquo;s safe to cut into the load-bearing wall. The contractor will then excavate around the wall, if necessary, measure the opening&mdash;allowing for additional space to fit and level the door, and then cut the doorway out. They will likely install a steel lintel as a header over the door for support. Once the doorway is cut out, they&rsquo;ll demolish the concrete using sledge hammers and masonry chisels, clean up the surrounding concrete, and seal around the door with masonry mortar. </p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Pacifica, CA

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Pacifica, CA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Structural Engineering needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Structural Engineering companies in Pacifica, CA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Structural Engineering needs.

Last update on September 03, 2023

Reviewed in September 2023
Iâ m hired them for major electrical, windows throughout my home, doors throughout my home recessed lighting. Iâ ve hired them for a major remodel of our Corporate offices electrical plumbing wall removal nÃ©e structural work new walls doors the entire job.
GDW Industries
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Reviewed in February 2021
Amazing craftsmanship. They listened to my requests for additional structural integrity for a 30ft high deck. Would call them again in a heartbeat
GPI Builders, Inc.
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Reviewed in April 2020
We are so pleased with Ishmael and the work he did for us. He was able to expertly repair our sinking deck to the point where it is now FAR BETTER THAN NEW. He engineered some bracing that it should have had in the beginning and he reinforced the entire sub-structure to the point where it...
N C Construction
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Reviewed in January 2019
Argos Construction built a side wing to our home. They were extremely professional and the quality of the work is extraordinary. Just walk in my house or any of their projects and you will immediately see and feel the quality of the work. They kept us informed and helped us on every step of the...
Argos Construction
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Reviewed in February 2017
We have worked with a several contractors during the years when we moved to new house. SOD builders is simply the best of all of them and we are lucky to have this company remodel our recent new house. Our major remodeling project included several difficulties due to irregularities in the...
SOD Home Group
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Reviewed in January 2015
This was done in two passes. On the first pass in the summer an inexperienced crew was assigned, which did the demolition long before the permit was in hand and did not construct to the blueprints. There were some communication issues between the architect, the engineer and myself as well. We...
GoodFellas Construction – Bay Area
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Reviewed in November 2014
We had a rocky start with the city. They wanted us to hire a structural engineer, which would have cost thousands! But Paul from Exterior Remodeling Specialists was able to create a plan that was finally ok'd by the city after a number of meetings so we did not have go through all the headache...
Exterior Remodeling Specialists
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Reviewed in June 2014
There were many challenges with the project, including structural, design, multiple visits/meetings with the township and Dan managed all of this with grace and patience. <br />
Dan Mercado Landscaping
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Find Structural engineers in Pacifica

Level Engineering San Francisco, CA (Main)

4.4(

294

)

Engineer - Structural

Serving Pacifica, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2015

Credit card accepted

Offers commercial services

"Very experienced structural engineer who could analyze our rooftop deck and give us a plan for doing the roof and hotub of our dreams!"

Response time2 days

Recommended by93%of homeowners

Request Quote

HC Structural Engineering

4.2(

)

Engineer - Structural

Serving Pacifica, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2008

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Excellent service and highly professional."

Response time3 days

11 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by91%of homeowners

Serving Pacifica, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Working with Francisco and his team was amazing! From start to finish, they made the whole process of remodeling my house so easy and stress-free. Francisco really listened to what I wanted and came up with creative ideas. He was very responsive and always kept me in the loop. The final result is even better than I imagined. My house looks incredible and I’ve gotten so many compliments from friends and family."

Response time10 hrs

Response rate100%

Recommended by37%of homeowners

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Auburn Detailing and Construction Services

4.7(

)

Draftsperson/CADD

Serving Pacifica, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1998

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Rich has completed several projects in the past and plans breezed through plan check, I did not use him for this project because of engineering requirements in the job. ."

+10

Response time1 day

Response rate85%

3 neighbors recently requested a quote

Engineer - Structural

Serving Pacifica, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2019

Offers commercial services

Customers say: Quick response

"We met with Mayhar, the owner of the company. He was very professional, knowledgeable and helpful. It was a pleasure doing business with him and I would recommend him without hesitation."

Response time4 hrs

Response rate91%

3 neighbors recently requested a quote

Serving Pacifica, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1990

Small jobs welcome

Customers say: Quick response

"Great job in designing our beautiful deck, stairs, back patio, planter boxes and pad for hot tub."

+21

Response time7 hrs

Response rate88%

1 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Whitfield Architects, Inc.

5.0(

)

ArchitectArchitect - For Business

Serving Pacifica, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2009

Offers commercial services

Customers say: Quick response

Whitfield Architects : CLIENT-FIRST SOLUTIONS\n\nPlease write or call directly with any questions\n(The fees Angi charges us mean we unfortunately cannot respond to questions through the app.)\n\[email protected]\n415.724.6279\n\n\nWe are dedicated to providing efficient and effective custom solutions for our clients' projects large or small. \n\nEfficient: Integrated 3D modeling insure rapid design and production; flexible outcomes tailored to each project. \n\nEffective: Careful listening and communication to understand, document and achieve our client's goals and aspirations. \n\nService-centered: Face-to-face House-call meetings, project-specific designers\n\nRespectful: Transparent finances, zero up-charge on reimbursements \n\nCall Whitfield Architects today!\n

Dramatic section using modeling software

+47

Response time1 day

2 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by75%of homeowners

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AxisTerra Design Studio

5.0(

)

ArchitectArchitect - For BusinessDraftsperson/CADD

Serving Pacifica, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I was referred to Phani at AxisTerra Design by structural engineer I hired for my home renovation project to remove load bearing walls in living room. The referral is like god send in a stressful state where my home renovation project permit is pending for 2 months and San Jose city came back asking for kitchen architectural plans for permit issuance. Phani very quickly helped and provided the design plan in two days. He followed up with me multiple times to get all the details needed to avoid back and forth iterations. Phani shared the plans on the same night at 10 P.M. Once, I confirmed the next, he shared the stamped plans. I already referred AxisTerra Design to a friend for his home renovation project, and without any doubt or hesitation recommend AxisTerra Design for any home renovation project."

Response time2 days

Response rate100%

2 neighbors recently requested a quote

ArchitectArchitect - For BusinessDraftsperson/CADD

Serving Pacifica, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1999

Free estimates

Customers say: True professional

"Very professional, on time no problem. Joy to work with such competent architect"

kitchen remodel and dining room addition.

1 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by100%of homeowners

ArchitectDraftsperson/CADDArchitect - For Business

Serving Pacifica, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Evolution Drafting did a great job modifying my existing plans and updating for Arizona codes and took care of the structural engineering as well."

+23

Response time1 day

Response rate100%

56 neighbors recently requested a quote

Request Quote

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Showing 1-10 of 125

Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

The easiest way to tell if a wall is load bearing is to check if it’s an exterior wall or if it runs perpendicular to the joists above and below it (or parallel to beams). Exterior walls are almost always load-bearing, and walls that run under beams or parallel to them are also usually load-bearing. There are exceptions to these rules, and walls that don’t fit into these categories can still be load-bearing. If you’re unsure, hire a structural engineer to look at your home to assess whether or not the wall is structural.

Cathedral ceilings make a statement in your home, but at the cost of your attic space. Normal attics are wide open, which allows warm air to move around and exit your home. Because of this, cathedral ceilings make your home less energy efficient and put your ceiling at risk of venting issues if you’re not careful. They also reduce your attic storage space, potentially cause an echo, and even make it harder to change a light bulb.

The depth of any foundation style depends on your climate and how deep the frost line is, as building code requires that the footers of a foundation—which are built into a monolithic slab—sit at least a foot below the frost line. At the southern tip of Florida, for example, a monolithic slab foundation would only need to sit 12 inches under the soil at the widest parts. On some parts of the Canadian border, the frost line is 100 inches, which would mean a minimum of 112 inches, which is prohibitively deep for a monolithic slab.

Most load-bearing walls are exterior, though they can also be interior.

First, most contractors will have a structural engineer create a report and plan for your project to ensure it’s safe to cut into the load-bearing wall. The contractor will then excavate around the wall, if necessary, measure the opening—allowing for additional space to fit and level the door, and then cut the doorway out. They will likely install a steel lintel as a header over the door for support. Once the doorway is cut out, they’ll demolish the concrete using sledge hammers and masonry chisels, clean up the surrounding concrete, and seal around the door with masonry mortar.

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