"John came out and looked at several issues, determined them to be cosmetic not structural and wrote a certified letter to that effect. We got great peace of mind from his visit."
"Mr. McCann came out to assess the water and carpenter ant damage to a wall and foundation sill plate of our home. He was able to quickly evaluate the problem area and provide the structural engineering report and repair task list we needed to get contractor bids on the reconstruction project. Highly recommended."
"We hired Char to help us design an addition to our home in Burien, WA. Our addition adds a 300 sq. ft master suite to our 1100 sq. ft house. Char built our trust quickly. She listened carefully to our concerns, and used her own creativity to make huge improvements to our original plans. Our project wouldn’t have looked the same without her input. Char incorporated very specific requests from us concerning noise reduction, and went above and beyond to research many solutions for us to choose from. Char communicated her schedule clearly, we always knew exactly what she was working on, her deliverables, and what we would discuss in our next meeting. We never had a meeting that wasn’t useful. Char helped us navigate the Burien permit process, making sure the drawing package was complete enough to pass the first time. She reached out to specific city officials ahead of time to anticipate any issues before permit submittal. Char created very detailed drawings and has exceptional drafting skills. She added more detail than required at every stage of the design to help us make critical decisions earlier in the process. Our hired GC complimented Char’s drawing package when we put it out for bid, saying it was better than many that he’s seen. We also hired Char to meet with contractors and review estimates. She was able to help us navigate what was a reasonable price and weed out any weird or misleading estimates. In summary, Char has been a fantastic resource for us and has helped make our first major home improvement project much less daunting."
"Ward Engineering began working with Jared of Cornerstone Home Designs approximately 3 years ago to perform residential design work using Chief Architect design software. I find Jared to be the most capable Chief Architect designer I have ever worked with. Jared is very efficient and thorough at developing the residential Chief Architect models. In addition to being competent, Jared makes himself available to provide personal 1-on-1 training over the internet, which has been a huge blessing to our company and clients."
Refine Design is a residential architecture firm specializing in custom homes, additions, and major renovations throughout the Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, and Snohomish areas. We believe great homes begin with understanding the people who live in them. Our collaborative process keeps homeowners involved from the earliest concepts through permitting and construction-ready plans.\n\nEvery project is shaped by the client's lifestyle, goals, budget, and the unique opportunities of the site. We focus on creating meaningful spaces that capture views, bring people together, and enhance daily living. Through thoughtful planning and design, we help clients maximize the value of their investment while creating architecture that feels timeless, functional, and uniquely their own.
"BT Engineers LLC did the tenant improvement design for our new space, and they did an amazing job. Our permits were approved very quickly. They were responsive and helpful throughout the whole process! I would highly recommend them!"
Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts
According to the Earthquake Country Alliance—a public and private alliance in California that works to improve earthquake and tsunami readiness—reports that unreinforced masonry, such as stone, bricks, and hollow clay tiles, is more susceptible to earthquake damage. The mortar between bricks isn’t as stable as other building materials and methods.
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.
Most load-bearing walls are exterior, though they can also be interior.
You need to hire a structural engineer when building or modifying any component with a structural load in your home. Common situations where you would need a structural engineer include home inspections when buying or selling a home, investigating possible issues with your foundation, beams, load-bearing walls, or chimneys, breaking ground on a new home or structure on your property, and renovating an old part of your home that could threaten any structural integrity. Home additions and bump-outs also require an engineer.
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.
The Tukwila, WA 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 Seattle, WA.
Find out the average architect cost in Seattle, WA. Learn what you can expect to pay for local architectural design services to plan your next home build.
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.
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.