Find Top Local Residential and Commercial Structural Engineering Firms in Your Area

Typically, a registered structural engineer will do a visual assessment of your property during the inspection. The process rarely involves complex procedures. The structural analysis of a building you’ll receive is broken into two parts.

The first part looks at the substructure, anything below ground. This includes the foundation. Structural engineers will closely review drainage and the integrity of the concrete used in this part of the building.

The second part of the analysis covers everything above the foundation, the superstructure. It focuses on the floors, walls, and roof, looking at everything from floor joists to roof trusses. If issues are identified, your structural engineer will suggest a deeper inspection take place. It may even mean having to open up walls to take a closer look.

Ultimately, all elements are put together and the structural engineer gives their opinion as to the condition and integrity of the property, ensuring that the structural elements used can accept the load that’s assumed upon it for the long term.

Structural engineers often charge by the hour, with rates between $100 to $150. This is a typical range for residential properties.

An industrial structural engineer will generally provide a quote that’s a percentage of the overall construction costs. Those working on a commercial property will set their price using the building’s square footage and based on how complex of a property it is.

Since fees vary so much based on the type of property, its size, and more, getting a quote before hiring a structural engineer is essential to maintaining your budget.

It’s hard to calculate the exact cost of a structural inspection yourself since so many variables come into play when establishing a quote. The hourly rate of $100 to $150 and the size of your building are a good place to start, though. Smaller buildings will take less time to inspect, so will cost less.

You also need to take into account the complexity of your property. A smaller apartment building will naturally be less expensive than a five-story office building.

Breaking down average costs helps highlight the differences in fees:
- An inspection by a residential structural engineer can cost between $340 to $725 on average.
- An inspection of new construction or larger projects typically costs between $1,500 to $20,000 on average.

Although both an architect and structural engineer may work on your construction project, they come into the process at different points. An architect works with you at the start, creating the design for your property. They’ll ensure everything you want for your building is included in the design.

After you and the architect finalize plans, the structural engineer steps in. At this point, they’ll add structural details to the existing plan to make sure the building is constructed safely and correctly.

Architects and structural engineers also have different scopes of work on any particular project. An architect may design the building but can also have a hand in landscaping. They may oversee an urban planning project that consists of multiple elements.

A structural engineer is only worried about quality control, strength, and safety when it comes to the buildings themselves.

It is essential for architects and structural engineers to work together because architectural and structural design overlap. If a structural engineer sees a flaw in the design of a building that will make it unsafe, they have to go back to the architect for a design adjustment.

If a structural engineer has concerns about materials selected for a particular section of a building, they’ll consult with the architect if changes need to be made.

Since the architect does their design first, it’s the structural engineer who essentially checks their work, making sure the foundation of the building, and its framing, are sound. When issues arise, the two can work together to make design changes that ensure safety but don’t sacrifice the original aesthetic.

Civil and structural engineering are similar but not exactly the same. While both deal with building design, construction, and maintenance, structural engineering gets more specific. It’s actually a sub-category of civil engineering, since it focuses solely on the structural elements of a property.

To become a structural engineer, you first have to complete your studies in civil engineering. Further schooling enables you to become a registered structural engineer.

When working with an engineer, you can verify their area of expertise based on their license. Both must also be registered within the area of engineering they practice.

When looking for a qualified structural engineer, whose expertise aligns with your specific property, a personal referral is a great way to go. If you’re building, ask your architect who they’ve worked with before and liked. If you’re looking at a residential property, your realtor may have a referral.

For instances where it’s not possible to get a personal referral, combing through a curated list of reputable companies is the best alternative. Rather than do a general internet search, use the local directory at Real Estate Bees.

Real Estate Bees’ list of professional structural engineers in your area guarantees you’ll find the most qualified company local to you. We’ve done the work collecting and listing the best structural engineers, so you don’t have to waste any time finding the right one for your job.