"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."
"Josh has always been prompt and communicative with every interaction we've had. I initially got in touch with him about new construction design questions, and when we discovered that our current home porch posts had rotted through due to faulty design by the original home designer, Josh jumped into action. He had his engineer and construction crew to our door within 24 hours to take a look and put together a plan. He took my design ideas and brought them to life. He was transparent about all parts of the cost (to include his profit), and gave us to option to lower the cost by hauling away debris and painting the porch (which we were more than willing to do). Any delays with the work were met with a phone call and followup email if he didn't get through to either my husband or I immediately, and the construction crew did very high quality work. We were beyond pleased with his customer service! We will definitely use Revival Home Designs in the future when we decide to build our forever home."
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.
Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts
Yes, an LVL beam is more affordable than the cost of a steel I-beam, totaling between $50 and $200 per linear foot as opposed to the $100 to $400 per linear foot you’d pay for a steel I-beam. Not only is the wood material more affordable than steel, but it’s also more similar to traditional wooden beams and doesn’t require as much retrofitting to connect joists.
Provides expert analysis, ensuring safety and compliance with building codes.
Yes, professionals reinforce the foundation with additional supports or piers to prevent future sinking.
Yes, ceiling joists are typically load-bearing. However, their primary function is to support the weight of the ceiling and loads applied to it, like lighting fixtures and ceiling fans. They can also help support the roof, especially if they’re part of truss systems. Remember, the load-bearing capacity of ceiling joists depends on the material, size, and space between them.
The costs depend on the type of wood, labor, roofing material, permits, and whether additional storage or enclosed walls are included.
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.
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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.
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