"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
No, a structural engineer is not the same as a builder. A structural engineer is an expert in all things related to the structural integrity of a building. The structural engineer is responsible for calculating the correct materials in terms of load-bearing capacity and overall structural safety. Structural engineers do not perform the actual building of the house or other structures. Rather, the builder executes the plans and designs specified by the structural engineer.
Dormers must be able to bear the load of their own construction and the added window. The style of the dormer, however, will determine where the weight loads onto your home's structure. A gable dormer bears the weight on the side walls whereas a shed dormer bears it on the front walls.
Provides expert analysis, ensuring safety and compliance with building codes.
Generally, you can tell if a home is bolted to the foundation by checking the foundation for plates. If you see that your foundational plates connect to wood or bolts protruding from them, this means that you have a bolted foundation. However, it's always wise to bring a home inspector in to confirm if your foundation is secure.
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
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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