Residential structural engineers evaluate and design the parts of a home that carry loads, such as foundations, beams, walls and roofs. They size beams for wall removals, assess cracks and damage and prepare stamped plans when required.
Common structural engineering services include:
Hire a structural engineer before removing walls, when you notice significant cracks or sagging, or when a permit office asks for engineered plans.
BD Engineer is an engineering firm that provides specialized engineering services, focusing on delivering innovative and efficient solutions to meet client needs. The company is committed to quality, precision, and technical excellence in its projects. BD Engineer serves a variety of industries, offering expertise in engineering design, consulting, and project management. The firm aims to build strong client relationships through professional service and tailored engineering solutions.
The City of Fremont is a municipal government organization serving the residents and businesses of Fremont, California. The city provides a wide range of public services including community development, public safety, infrastructure maintenance, parks and recreation, and environmental programs. Fremont's mission is to enhance the quality of life for its community through effective governance, sustainable growth, and responsive services. The city government is committed to fostering a safe, vibrant, and inclusive community while supporting economic development and environmental stewardship.
CTE Cal is a professional engineering firm providing a comprehensive range of services including geotechnical, geological, environmental, structural, and civil engineering. With over 25 years of experience, the company specializes in special inspections, quality control management, and materials testing for construction projects. Their fully accredited laboratories test soils, asphalt, concrete, masonry, steel, and other construction materials to ensure quality and compliance. CTE Cal serves multiple regions in California, including Sacramento, the Bay Area, and Central Valley, offering competitive rates and a strong portfolio of successful projects. The company is committed to meeting the inspection and engineering needs of diverse projects with professionalism and expertise.
Double-D Engineering is a San Francisco–based structural engineering firm that provides services across a wide range of project types including residential additions, new residential construction, mixed-use and mid-size commercial buildings, seismic upgrades, indoor climbing structures, restaurants, garages, and art projects. Double-D Engineering focuses on building long-term client relationships through clear communication and coordination, practical and cost-effective design solutions, competitive fees, and reliable project delivery that aims to complete work on time and under budget.
ECR Engineering is a boutique structural engineering design firm based in San Francisco that provides structural engineering services to architects, developers, contractors and building owners, specializing in remodels, plan reconfiguration for single-family and multi-family homes and soft-story retrofit solutions. ECR Engineering focuses on reliable, cost-effective and practical design delivered on time with close attention to detail, remaining intimately involved throughout design and construction and offering free on-site consultations to help clients achieve their project goals.
Foundation Engineering Consultants, Inc. (F.EC.) is an international geotechnical engineering firm based in California that provides timely and practical geotechnical engineering services and recommendations. The company specializes in soils reports for all kinds of structures, retaining wall design, and excavation shoring systems. With registered professional engineers and a certified engineering geologist on staff, the company offers expertise in soils, foundations, excavation support systems design, and California geology. Foundation Engineering Consultants serves a wide range of projects including residential, commercial, industrial, worship buildings, and slope repair plans, offering services such as grading, foundation design, retaining wall parameters, and shoring/underpinning projects. The company emphasizes that no job is too small and residential projects are welcome, with typical report preparation times around three weeks and expedited services available when possible.
M.D. Ireland Engineering, Inc., operating as Ireland Engineering, is a structural engineering firm serving the greater Bay Area and surrounding regions since 1988. Founded by Michael Dean Ireland and currently led by Joseph M. Otto, P.E., the company provides quality structural engineering services for commercial, residential, and industrial projects. Joseph Otto, a licensed civil engineer in California, Washington, and Nevada, brings over 30 years of experience to the firm, ensuring innovative and reliable engineering solutions. The company emphasizes client communication and coordination, supported by experienced office management. Ireland Engineering is committed to delivering trusted, professional structural engineering services tailored to meet the needs of its diverse clientele.
LS Engineering is a manufacturers’ sales representative company serving the RF, microwave, and millimeter electronic design communities primarily in Northern California, Northern Nevada, and parts of Oregon and Washington. The company provides state-of-the-art components, subsystems, and custom assemblies to support electronic design needs. LS Engineering focuses on delivering competitive advantages to its clients through specialized product offerings and regional expertise. The company operates with a commitment to serving the technical and design requirements of its customers in the electronic components sector.
Level Engineering and Inspection is a national network of local architects and engineers headquartered in Loveland, CO that provides structural engineering, architecture, inspection, civil and foundation services for commercial, residential, industrial and public-sector clients. Level Engineering and Inspection focuses on common-sense, energy-minded solutions delivered by a distributed team of licensed local experts, offering services that include structural inspections, forensic evaluations, foundation engineering, project management and design for remodels, new builds and infrastructure projects. The company was founded to modernize the A&E model with an agile, client-focused approach, emphasizes rapid local response and quality deliverables, and maintains multiple regional offices to serve a wide geographic footprint.
MK Engineers Inc. is a San Francisco-based engineering firm with over 35 years of experience delivering mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and sustainable design services for architects, owners, and contractors. MK Engineers Inc. focuses on energy-efficient and integrated design, providing responsive, client-conscious engineering solutions that emphasize collaboration across disciplines, practical cost-savings, and long-term reliability throughout the project lifecycle.
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A residential structural engineer inspects structural elements, calculates loads, designs beams, footings and framing, and prepares reports or stamped drawings that contractors and permit offices rely on.
If the wall is load-bearing, an engineer can size the beam and supports so loads are carried safely, and many jurisdictions require engineered plans for the permit. An engineer or experienced contractor can help determine whether a wall is load-bearing.
Look for a licensed professional engineer with residential experience, ask what the visit and report include and whether drawings are stamped for permits. Independent engineers do not sell the repair work.
Cost depends on the type of service, such as an inspection, letter or full design, the project's complexity, site visits, calculations and the number of drawings.
Clear access to the areas of concern, including the attic, basement or crawl space. Share photos, existing plans and a timeline of when you first noticed any cracks or changes.