"Tom at TAS Engineering was professional, friendly, helpful, patient and highly competent and efficient. He did the assessment of my attic structural issue and identified the simplest and most cost-effective solution. He ensured that my contractor did the work to his specifications and provided the certified engineering letter that all had been addressed properly. This was exactly what I needed. I would highly recommend him and would hire him again."
"Darren was professional and courteous. He called to let us know he was running a bit late. He was great at explaining things and very thorough. He got an official report to us in a timely manner. But most importantly he assured us the house we were about to purchase was structurally sound. He even suggested ways to keep the small structural shifts in the older home from occuring."
"Jeremy was extremely professional and efficient and was so amazing to work with!!! He literally called me the very night that I submitted a request for an engineer. Very impressive and would absolutely hire him again or refer him to anyone who needs a structural engineer."
"We've never done a remodel before. We live in a high-rise and needed to update our kitchen, put in some pocket doors, and a laundry closet. We thought we needed an architect to give us ideas and the structural parameters within which we needed to work. We bought the Big Deal for an architectural consult. Mr. Madeiros was very professional and offered us a few ideas. He is relatively new to the Denver area and wasn't sure if we needed permits for the work we wanted to do. He called the city for us, which was helpful. He gave us drawings of what we had described and his added idea. It ended up that we didn't need his services as we discovered that general contractor could do what we needed. We had the building and unit floor plans and lots of our own ideas, having done a lot of research. I think if you were going to create something out of nothing, his services would be more helpful. "
"From the start I knew Ryan was the right person, because he called me, the only one of the engineers that actually called me. He communicated regularly, let me know straight up the results and explained it all to me. Is also willing to answer questions from my contractor."
"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."
"We had a great experience working with Vital Architecture and highly recommend her.
For Little Village Childcare, she helped us save money by confirming certain landlord requests were not required by code and securing a waiver that saved space and costs.
She also reduced civil engineering expenses by preparing the playground drainage plan herself.
During construction, she provided extra support at no cost and helped us handle contractor changes wisely.
For another church childcare project, she identified zoning issues early so everyone understood the risks.
In Colorado Springs, she warned a tenant about higher plumbing costs required by childcare regulations, helping them avoid a bad lease.
For an adult care project, she reviewed the food area and explained new kitchen and ventilation requirements.
Carmen is knowledgeable, thorough, and truly looks out for her clients’ best interests."
Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts
In framing, studs are placed at 16-inch intervals to coincide with the typical spacing of wall materials such as drywall or plywood. This spacing is called "on-center" and is necessary for maintaining structural stability and efficient use of materials. The 16-inch spacing also helps to distribute the weight evenly across the building's structure. For those looking to cut material costs and improve energy efficiency, 24-inch stud spacing can be employed through a method called "advanced framing". This requires careful planning and adherence to local building codes to ensure structural integrity.
You should avoid drilling or cutting into load-bearing beams because removing material will weaken it and increase the risk of structural damage or even collapse. If you do need to drill into a load-bearing beam, speak with a structural engineer first to discuss where it’s safest to drill and the width and depth of the bit that’s safe to use.
The National Association of Home Builders requires repair of any foundation crack of more than one quarter of an inch, although local regulations may vary. In general, any visible crack that is growing in size, allowing water through, or that you have just noticed, is a good reason to call a structural engineer. Cracks can be a sign of a sinking foundation, so an inspection is a good idea for your peace of mind.
The process of hiring a structural engineer starts by finding reliable professionals in your area and comparing quotes from at least three of them. From there, you can narrow down your selection by asking some leading questions:
Do you have experience working in my specific area?
Do you have professional indemnity insurance?
What will your structural report cover?
Do you charge a flat fee for a structural report or by the hour?
How long have you been in business?
Do you have a list of customer references?
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.
The Gunbarrel, CO homeowners’ guide to structural engineering services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
The cost of a structural engineer is easily justifiable given the value they bring to the table. Use this guide to see what hiring your professional will total in Denver, CO.
Find out the average beam installation cost in Denver, CO. Learn what you can expect to pay for materials, labor, and structural engineers for your project.
The cost of a structural engineer is easily justifiable given the value they bring to the table. Use this guide to see what hiring your professional will total.
Spotting deep foundation cracks or sagging floors? Learn about structural engineering costs, serious warning signs, and how to hire the right local pro.
It can be hard to choose the right pro for any job, but it matters. Learn how to hire a structural engineer who'll get the job done right from start to finish.
