Engineering Services for Property Owners

You need a structural or MEP engineer when you're making changes to your building that affect its structural system or its mechanical, electrical, or plumbing systems — and when the city requires engineering documents as part of the building permit. Common triggers: removing a wall, adding onto the building, replacing HVAC equipment, upgrading electrical service, or making any change that requires a permit.

The permit-required drawings depend on the scope of your project. A wall removal might require a one-page structural detail sheet. A full renovation might require structural plans, MEP plans, and an architectural set. We'll tell you exactly what your project needs before you commit to anything.

A site visit by an engineer is used to verify existing conditions that can't be determined from drawings or photos alone. Not every project requires one — but when it does, the engineer documents what's actually in the building so the design is based on real conditions rather than assumptions.

A structural report is a written engineering document that describes the condition of a building's structural system — what was observed, what (if any) deficiencies exist, what repairs are recommended, and what the risk level is. Property owners often need structural reports for insurance claims, sale due diligence, or before starting a renovation.

For projects requiring a permit, you (or your contractor) submit engineering drawings and calculations to the local building department. A plan reviewer checks the documents against the applicable codes. If approved, the permit is issued and construction can begin. The engineering firm responds to any plan check comments. An inspector visits during construction to verify the work matches the approved drawings.

To give you a proposal, we need: the project address, a description of what you want to do, and any existing drawings you have. That's it. We'll review what you have and tell you exactly what engineering is needed and what it will cost.