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Avatar for DesignWorks NW
DesignWorks NW
4.7(
12
)

Serving University Place, WA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"The process working with Char to develop a set of design plans for my master suite addition has been fantastic. She has worked with me step by step, explaining the process at each point and what I can expect. She also listened to what I was looking for, drew up various designs, and then worked with me on modifications. She was a partner in the process the entire time, not only treating me with respect and professionalism, but talking through options and pros and cons with me so I ended up with the design I really wanted. Throughout the entire process I felt like I was in good and trustworthy hands. So much so that I will continue to use Char's assistance as I move forward on next steps with this project."
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+8

Recommended by90%of homeowners
Avatar for Revival Architecture and Design, LLC
Revival Architecture and Design, LLC
5.0(
9
)

Serving University Place, WA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2018

Credit card accepted

Offers commercial services

"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."
Apartments - Chehalis, WA
Front
Rear
Cashmere Mixed Use
Exterior Option 2 Alternate Design

+1

Response time2 days
15 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by25%of homeowners
Avatar for Elevation Home Designs, LLC
Elevation Home Designs, LLC
4.9(
18
)

Serving University Place, WA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2012

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"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."
Bedroom hallway
New Living room with double sliding doors
Kitchen, Family, and Dining
Laundry Room
Shulz remodel/addition

+53

Response time5 days
22 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Triple V Consultants & Associates
3.6(
25
)

Serving University Place, WA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2003

Small jobs welcome

Credit card accepted

"I used Triple V as the Project Engineer for a garage conversion to single family residence for my son’s family. Vic not only did the engineering for us, he also did the structural drawings we submitted to the county as part of our permit package. He delivered the plans promptly, and worked collaboratively with us to resolve issues we identified and revise the drawings accordingly. The county building department approved the plans and issued the permit. During the project construction Vic patiently responded to questions from us (we’re DIY’ers, not professional builders) and offered/provided certifications to revisions we jointly agreed to. Overall, Triple V provided what was promised at an outstanding value."
Response time1 day
28 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by45%of homeowners
Washington Engineering
3.5(
38
)

Serving University Place, WA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2007

Small jobs welcome

Credit card accepted

"I had a hand drafted plan for my house. Bryson turned it into an architectural drawing and did all of the engineering in about two weeks. The county had zero issues with the plan that I submitted for my building permit, which was the goal. Bryson worked with me on improving the drafts until it was right. I appreciated their promptness and very reasonable price. I would use Washington Engineering again on another project."
Response time2 days
29 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by22%of homeowners
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Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

The easiest way to tell if a wall is load bearing is to check if it’s an exterior wall or if it runs perpendicular to the joists above and below it (or parallel to beams). Exterior walls are almost always load-bearing, and walls that run under beams or parallel to them are also usually load-bearing. There are exceptions to these rules, and walls that don’t fit into these categories can still be load-bearing. If you’re unsure, hire a structural engineer to look at your home to assess whether or not the wall is structural.

Yes, a one-story house can have a load-bearing wall. The load-bearing walls in a single-story home are usually the exterior walls. If the house has a basement with exposed walls, the arrangement of the beams can help indicate what walls are load-bearing.

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 best way to determine if ceiling cracks are structural is to hire a ceiling contractor to inspect the cracks and provide a professional opinion. That said, you might be able to make an educated guess based on the size and appearance of the crack. Larger cracks, cracks accompanied by sagging or discoloration, and cracks that travel from the ceiling down the walls are all signs of structural issues.

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.

The University Place, WA homeowners’ guide to structural engineering services

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