Structural engineers design the bones of a building: how loads travel to the ground, how floors and roofs stay level, and how the structure resists wind and seismic forces. You may hire one directly or through an architect.
Common residential reasons to hire structural
- Removing or relocating load-bearing walls
- Second-story additions and roof raises
- Foundation cracks, settlement, or underpinning
- Large openings for windows or garage conversions
- Deck, balcony, and retaining structures that need stamps
How they work with architects
On full design projects, the architect leads layout and code path while the structural engineer sizes members and details connections. On narrow scopes (a beam calc only), you might work with the engineer alone — still confirm permit requirements in your city.
What to prepare before you call
Rough sketches or photos, known loads (what you are removing), soil reports if you have them, and your construction budget band. Clarity speeds proposals.
Fees and deliverables
Expect calculations, sketches or drawings, and stamps where required. Fees scale with complexity, not square footage alone. A single beam can be modest; a full house lateral system is not.