Many people come to us knowing they need structural engineering, but oftentimes, they have no clue what they are actually paying for.
The truth is, most people only go through this process once or twice in their lifetime. There’s usually no frame of reference for what a structural engineering package should include and what it costs.
That’s why we will draw on our nearly three decades of experience as a structural engineering firm to adequately prepare you for what to expect, so you’re left with no surprises.
What Is a Structural Engineering Package?
Let’s start by defining what a structural engineering package is: a structural engineering package is the set of technical documents, including drawings and calculations, that demonstrate a structure is safe to build in accordance with the applicable local building code.
Here’s an example of a document you’d find in a structural engineering package, courtesy of DiLandro Andrews:
It’s what your building department is looking for when you apply for a permit.
Architectural plans, which you can think of as the pretty pictures that map out your floor plan, layout, and visual design of your home, are not enough to get your building permit. This is why you need the stamped structural plans and calculations.
Here’s an example of architectural plans so you can see how they differ from structural plans (courtesy of The House Designers):
Every structural engineering package is specific to a single address. The snow, wind, and seismic loads applied to your structure are modeled based on your exact build site location.
The same set of plans cannot be used for a different address, even if it’s just down the street, because the load data changes with location.
This is why structural plans from one project can’t simply be carried over to the next, even if the homes are identical in design.
What’s Included in a Structural Engineering Package? (5 Things)
Let’s go over the five key components of a structural engineering package. This is what’s specifically covered for our engineering package; other firms may differ on what they offer.
1. Structural Drawings
At the core of an engineering package is the complete set of structural drawings for your project.
These are the plans that tell builders exactly how to construct the home so that it is code-compliant and safe for its intended use.
Depending on the scope of your project, the drawing set will include:
- Foundation plan and details: specifying the type, dimensions, and reinforcement of the foundation system.
- First floor framing plan and details: showing the layout and sizing of the floor structure.
- Second-floor framing plan and details: only applies to multi-story homes
- Roof framing plan and details: covering how the roof structure is to be built and connected.
- Structural system details: specific to the building materials and methods used on your project.
The finished drawings are stamped and sealed by a state-licensed structural engineer. No building department will accept structural plans without the stamp.
Here’s an example of a structural drawing:
2. Load Analysis
Before any drawing is produced, the engineer models the forces that will act on your structure based on its location and design.
This analysis covers:
- Gravity loads — the weight of the structure itself and everything in it.
- Wind loads — the lateral and uplift forces your structure needs to resist based on local wind speed data.
- Seismic loads — the forces applied during an earthquake, determined by your location’s seismic zone.
The results of this analysis drive every decision in the drawings.
The beam sizes, the connection details and the foundation depth all trace back to the load modeling.
This is also why two homes of identical design can have different structural drawings if they’re built in different locations.
3. The Calculations Book
Alongside the drawings, a complete structural engineering package at PSE includes a calculations book, which is a full record of the math that proves the engineering is sound. This may not be offered by all engineering firms.
It covers the vertical, wind, and seismic load calculations for the building department, and it’s submitted alongside the drawings as part of the permit package.
4. Building Department Response
The engineering scope includes time to respond to a reasonable number of questions and review comments from the building department after submittal.
Building departments sometimes come back with red line corrections, markups, or requests for additional information.
This back-and-forth is a normal part of the process, and time spent responding to questions from the client, their representatives, and the building department is covered within the standard scope up to a defined threshold (typically 10% of the contract amount for structural engineering services).
If the building department’s questions require work beyond that threshold, there may be an added scope fee.
5. Physical Deliverables
Once the engineering is complete, you get the physical deliverables, which at PSE, include:
- Four copies of the stamped drawings
- Two copies of the calculations
- Shipping via USPS standard service
*Priority shipping is available at an additional cost if your timeline requires it.
Optional Add-On: Construction Administration
After the design and engineering are complete, there’s an optional construction administration service available if you want it.
This gives you direct access to the engineer during the construction phase, so if your contractor runs into a question or an unforeseen condition in the field, you can get an answer quickly from your engineer in real time, rather than waiting for a formal submittal.
This is an hourly service and is not included in the standard engineering package.
What’s Not Included in a Standard Structural Engineering Package
The following items fall outside the standard scope of a standard structural engineering package with PSE:
- Energy calculations.
- Zoning, plot/Site plan, civil drawings, topographic/grading map, drainage, water, sewer, septic, Erosion control plans or wastewater recycle.
- Floodplain study/elevation/maps or design.
- Design or drawings for Architectural working drawings or Architectural details, Building envelope, Electrical, solar/wind turbine, Mechanical, finishes, windows and/or doors.
- Rendering or representation in three dimensions, 3-D drawings.
- Life and Fire Safety Code check for commercial buildings.
- Soil/Geotechnical investigation report.
- Wildland Urban Interface, WUI, design.
- Other structures, other than the home itself, such as Swimming pools, Light poles, Retaining walls, Driveway, etc. Unless specifically mentioned in the scope of service above.
- Investigate, check or design for any existing structure/building/item, unless specifically stated in the scope of the basic service above.
- Bid phase service and selecting a contractor.
- Assistance in getting the building permits or a cost estimate.
- Change to the scope above or modifications to the drawings.
- Product and detail substitution, etc.
- Any other item not specifically mentioned in the scope of the basic service.
PSE can provide one or more of the above items on a time-and-materials basis according to our hourly rate schedule. Please contact PSE staff for details.
What Does a Structural Engineering Package Cost?
While we can’t give you a precise estimate on what a structural engineering package would cost for your project, we can tell you what factors go into the final price you pay.
Pricing is primarily based on:
- The square footage or overall footprint of your project.
- The complexity of the project (see the scenario below for an example).
- Construction materials. Projects with standard materials like wood and steel may be cheaper than non-standard materials like earthbag and rammed earth.
- The location of the project.
Think of it like this: if you’re building a wood-frame home (like the one pictured below) in a jurisdiction with a cooperative building department, it will likely cost you less than an unconventionally structured home in a high-seismic zone with a demanding plan check process.
Lead time, responsiveness during the project, and how thoroughly the information was provided upfront all factor in as well.
We don’t publish a flat rate because no two projects are identical. If you want a reliable structural engineering quote, the fastest way to get one is to submit a request online with the details of your project.
For most projects, we turn quotes around the same day or next day (assuming we have enough information to provide the quote).
Ready to Get Your Project Started?
Hopefully, this post helped clear up what a structural engineering package at PSE includes and what it doesn’t.
If you’re planning a new home or structure and want to understand what your project will require, request a quote here.
To get the most accurate quote, include your build site address, square footage, construction material, and any plans or sketches you have. The more detail you provide, the faster and more accurate the number we can give you.