Why hire a structural engineer?
Structural engineers are an integral part of building design and construction, meaning there are many reasons to hire a structural engineer for your industrial, commercial, or residential building project. Whether you’re starting from scratch or already have designs and drawings to work with, a structural engineer is there to make sure your vision comes to life safely.
What is a structural engineer?
In the simplest sense, a structural engineer keeps buildings from falling down. What that means is, they will look at every structural aspect of a building to ensure it will withstand the loads placed on it and remain safe for occupants and users. PSE Consulting Engineers only hires engineers with exceptional technical competency, and we provide additional training to ensure our engineers can handle any building material or design our clients can dream up.
What can a structural engineer do?
A better question would be, what can’t a structural engineer do? If it has to do with the design and safety of your building, then a structural engineering company will be able to help. The structural engineering team at PSE Consulting Engineers can consult with you on a single aspect of your project, or we can handle the entire scope of multiple projects.
Structural engineers are necessary for obtaining the final stamp of approval before a building plan can begin construction. The majority of architectural plans do not come construction-ready, meaning a structural engineer must be consulted for a plan review and may modify the plans as necessary.
General structural engineering services begin with a structural engineer calculating any lateral and vertical loads that the building may encounter. This could include wind, snow, or seismic activity based on where the building is located. The engineer then chooses materials, designs, or construction methods that will guarantee the building can resist these levels—all while staying within budget and maintaining the desired aesthetic of the building.
But a structural engineer’s job doesn’t stop once the plans are finalized. PSE Consulting Engineers’ construction management services include helping home and building owners with bidding and proposals from contractors, with reviews of plan changes during construction, and with periodic quality-assurance checks.
In addition to handling structural engineering services for new residential, commercial, and industrial projects, PSE Consulting Engineers also offers engineering services for existing structures. Our structural engineers perform inspections (e.g. seismic inspections, manufactured home inspections, foundation inspections, etc.) and provide reports for home and commercial building owners. We can also offer consulting services for additions and renovation projects.
See a list of our structural engineering services HERE.
How do I find or select a structural engineer?
Finding and selecting a structural engineer is all about matching your needs to the engineering company’s expertise and offerings. At PSE Consulting Engineers, we offer the broadest range of services to ensure our clients get exactly what they want. The engineers at PSE Consulting Engineers are experts at helping you build green and sustainable projects. We are licensed in all 50 States and have knowledge and experience with traditional and sustainable building materials and techniques. If you need engineering services, call PSE Consulting Engineers today for a consultation.