Practical answers to the most common questions about engineering costs, schedules, professional roles, and when engineering is required — written for architects, contractors, developers, and building owners.
Talk to an EngineerGeotechnical engineering costs depend on the number and depth of soil borings, laboratory testing, site access…
A geotechnical investigation and report typically takes three to six weeks from notice to proceed. The timelin…
Most commercial construction projects require a geotechnical report. Building departments typically require ge…
Structural engineering timelines depend on project complexity, available information, and deliverable scope. S…
Many remodels require structural engineering — particularly when the work involves removing or modifying walls…
Yes — building additions almost always require structural engineering. An addition adds new structural loads t…
Yes — if the wall is load-bearing, you need a structural engineer before removing it. Load-bearing walls carry…
Yes — adding or replacing rooftop HVAC equipment usually requires structural engineering. The roof framing mus…
Structural engineering typically requires architectural plans showing the proposed scope, existing building in…
The most common engineering delays are not caused by the engineer — they come from incomplete information at p…
Yes — a change of occupancy almost always requires engineering. The building code applies different structural…
No — engineers can work from PDF drawings in most cases. CAD or Revit files speed up coordination and reduce e…
Yes — PDF is the most common format for engineering project initiation. Structural, MEP, civil, and geotechnic…
Yes — virtually every restaurant permit requires MEP engineering plans. Restaurant commercial kitchens involve…
MEP engineering requires architectural plans showing the building layout, a description of the building use an…
Architects design buildings — their form, function, and occupant experience. Structural engineers design the s…
Structural engineers specialize in buildings and structures — designing the framing, foundations, and connecti…
A land surveyor measures and documents existing property boundaries, topography, and physical features of a si…
A mechanical engineer designs the HVAC system — calculating loads, selecting equipment, designing ductwork, an…
An electrical engineer designs the electrical system — load calculations, service sizing, panel schedules, one…
Geotechnical engineers investigate subsurface conditions — soil types, bearing capacity, groundwater, and eart…
A full-service multi-discipline engineering firm provides structural, MEP, civil, and geotechnical engineering…
A Professional Engineer (PE) is a licensed engineer who has passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, gaine…
Responsible charge means that the professional engineer who stamps a set of engineering drawings was in direct…
A licensed professional engineer cannot legally or ethically stamp drawings they did not engineer. Stamping en…
Engineering quality control (QA/QC) is the internal review process engineering firms use to verify that drawin…
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