"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."
"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."
"Marc was attentive, understanding and really a good point of contact through our build process giving us the information we needed to accomplish our goals in our pre build process. He remains a point of contact for all future questions and concerns!"
"Sam is a great guy. He's always on time and punctual on the scope of the project. We are basically happy from the start to finish and he's willing to help us out. It was a pleasant experience and he is super professional."
Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts
The essential difference between an architect and an engineer is that architects typically focus more on the aesthetic design of buildings, although not without consideration for the structural integrity of the building. Engineers focus more on the structural, technical, and practical aspects of whether and how an architectural design can be built as drawn. You may need to hire both types of professionals if you’re designing and building a new home.
Costs depend on material choices, labor, and the extent of structural modifications.
Structural engineers can perform various inspections on different structures in your home. These inspections usually include a report detailing the engineer’s findings and recommendations for repairs so you can determine your next course of action for repairs, replacements, or new builds.
Some of the most common structural engineering reports include:
Full home inspection: $350–$1,000
Foundation: $300–$800
Load-bearing walls: $300–$1,000
Roof: $150–$600
Chimney: $200–$500
No, squeaky floors do not always mean there is structural damage. The noise is often caused by friction from issues like loose floorboards, gaps between the subfloor and joists, or loose subflooring. While many squeaks are harmless, persistent or worsening noise could indicate a more severe problem. If you notice other signs of structural damage—such as soft or sagging floors, cracks running from the wall to the ceiling, or horizontal cracks in your foundation—it's best to have a professional inspect your floor to determine the root cause.
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 Niwot, 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.
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.
Beam installation costs are an important consideration if you’re building a home or doing renovations. Learn about average costs and factors in this guide.
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.