"Martin and Great Lakes are consummate professionals. They are incredibly knowledgable about structures and the factors and variables that can affect them -- both internal and external. For our work, they excavated along the foundation to allow us to analyze our foundation. We highly recommend them to preserve the structure of your facilities new and old."
"Linda was excellent! Knowledgeable, great communicator and honest. We were told structural work was needed on our 100+ year home but after a thorough assessment, Linda recommended tuckpointing only!"
"Marc did a great job on our garage expansion project! He was friendly and professional, taking all of our ideas and criteria and combining them into a great layout. The drawings themselves look great. We are still shopping the plans around to contractors, and Marc is always helpful with advice or ways to reduce cost. Would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for an architect."
"We met with owner/senior architect, Firmin Senga to join us in the viewing of our desired property. We wanted to have an architect on board with us for reassurance that the updates we plan will work before we make an offer. He was very helpful."
"I am extremely pleased that I selected Randolph Liebelt - Architect for my sunroom design. Randolph has been so easy to work with throughout the entire design process. He is an excellent listener and communicator so the experience is efficient and enjoyable. I am delighted with the final design and can't wait to get it built and move in! I wish everyone in the Home business was as good as he is!"
"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 an excellent experience working with Robert Anthony from start to finish. They were professional, responsive, and incredibly detail-oriented throughout our kitchen remodel. His team completed our renovation on time, kept the workspace clean, and communicated with us every step of the way. The quality of the craftsmanship exceeded our expectations, and you can truly tell they take pride in their work. They transformed our kitcjen beautifully and made the entire process smooth and stress-free for my family. We are beyond happy with our kitchen and we couldn’t recommended him more."
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Structural Engineering questions, 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 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.
The average cost to hire a structural engineer is about $550, with prices generally ranging from $200 to $1,500. Structural engineers may charge a flat rate, by the project, by square footage, or an hourly rate, which is typically between $100 and $250. Many jobs, such as inspections and structural calculations, are billed at a flat rate, which often falls between $300 and $800. The final cost depends on several factors, including the project's type, scope, size, complexity, ease of access for inspection, and your geographic location.
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.
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)
The North Chicago, IL 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 Chicago, IL.
Find out the average beam installation cost in Chicago, IL. Learn what you can expect to pay for local structural support and get your home renovation ready.
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.
