Guides
Straight answers on when you need an engineer, what it costs, what a PE stamp means, and what to do about foundation, drainage and building problems.
Hiring an engineer
Civil Engineer vs Architect: Who Does What?Architects design buildings: their layout, appearance and code compliance for occupants. Civil engineers design the site and infrastructure around and under them. Most commercial …Civil Engineer vs Land Surveyor: Who Do You Need?Land surveyors measure and legally define property boundaries and existing ground conditions, while civil engineers design what will be built. Most site projects start …Civil Engineer vs Structural Engineer: What Is the Difference?Structural engineering is a specialty within civil engineering that focuses on whether buildings and bridges can safely carry their loads. Most states license both …Do I Need a Permit or an Engineer for a Retaining Wall?In most US jurisdictions a retaining wall over 4 ft tall, or any wall that supports a driveway, slope or building, needs a permit …Florida Milestone Inspection ExplainedFlorida requires structural milestone inspections of condominium and cooperative buildings three stories or taller, first at 30 years of age and every 10 years …How Long Does Permit Review Take?Review times range from same-day approvals for simple residential permits to several months for commercial site plans with multiple agencies. Complete submittals and quick …How Much Does a Civil Engineer Cost?Civil engineers bill by the hour, by fixed fee or as a percentage of construction cost, and the total depends mostly on the scope, …How Much Does a Structural Engineer Cost?Structural engineering fees depend on whether you need an inspection and letter, a small calculation such as a beam size, or full sealed drawings. …How to Verify a Professional Engineer (PE) LicenseEvery state engineering board offers a free online license lookup that shows whether a PE is licensed, the license number, its status and any …Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Civil EngineerA short interview tells you whether an engineer has done your kind of project in your jurisdiction and exactly what their fee covers. These …What Does a Civil Engineer Do?Civil engineers plan, design and oversee the construction of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water and sewer systems, stormwater systems, buildings and site developments. …What Does a Structural Inspection Include?A structural inspection is a focused evaluation by a licensed engineer of a building's foundation, framing and load path, usually to answer a specific …What Is a Facade Inspection (NYC Local Law 11 / FISP)?New York City requires owners of buildings taller than six stories to have exterior walls inspected every five years under the Facade Inspection Safety …What Is a Geotechnical Report?A geotechnical report documents subsurface soil, rock and groundwater conditions at a site and gives recommendations for foundations, earthwork and pavements. It is prepared …What Is a Grading Plan?A grading plan shows how the ground surface will be reshaped, with existing and proposed contours or spot elevations, so that water drains away …What Is a PE Stamp (Stamped Drawings)?A PE stamp, or seal, is the mark a licensed Professional Engineer places on plans and reports to certify that the work was prepared …What Is a SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan)?A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan describes how a construction site will control erosion, sediment and other pollutants in runoff. Sites that disturb one acre …What Is a Site Plan?A site plan is a drawing of a property that shows existing and proposed buildings, setbacks, driveways, utilities, grading and drainage. Simple plot plans …What Is a Structural Engineer Letter?A structural engineer letter is a short, sealed document in which a licensed engineer states their findings and opinion on a specific structural question. …What Is an Elevation Certificate?An Elevation Certificate is a FEMA form that records a building's elevations relative to the Base Flood Elevation. It is completed by a licensed …What Is an SB 721 Balcony Inspection?California law requires periodic inspection of balconies, decks, stairways and walkways on apartment buildings (SB 721) and on condominium associations (SB 326). The inspections …What to Expect From an Engineer Site VisitAn engineer's site visit is a focused inspection to gather the information needed for an opinion or a design. A little preparation makes the …When Do I Need a Structural Engineer vs a Contractor?Contractors build and repair; licensed engineers diagnose structural problems and design the fix. For anything that affects how a building carries load, call the …When Do You Need a Civil Engineer?You generally need a civil engineer when a building department or agency asks for engineered or sealed plans, or when a problem involves water, …
Property owners
Building on a Sloped Lot: What to KnowSloped lots can deliver views and walkout basements, but they need more engineering: grading, drainage, retaining walls and foundations sized for the slope. Planning …Can I Remove a Load-Bearing Wall?Yes, most load-bearing walls can be removed if a properly sized beam, posts and footings take over the load. It requires an engineered design …Drainage Solutions for a Flooding YardMost yard flooding comes from grading that sends water the wrong way, roof runoff dumped next to the house, or soil that cannot absorb …Driveway Culvert: Size, Permits and InstallationA driveway culvert carries a roadside ditch under the driveway. Most counties and state DOTs require a permit and set a minimum pipe size, …Expansive Clay Soil and Your FoundationExpansive clays swell when wet and shrink when dry, lifting and dropping foundations, slabs and pavements. Consistent moisture around the house is the key …Foundation Crack Types: When to WorryThe shape, width and location of a foundation crack say a lot about its cause. Thin vertical cracks in poured walls are usually shrinkage, …Retaining Wall Failure: Warning SignsRetaining walls usually fail slowly, giving warning through leaning, bulging, cracking or soil movement. Most failures trace back to water pressure behind the wall …Septic Perc Test ExplainedA perc test measures how fast water soaks into the soil so a septic drainfield can be sized. Many states now use soil profile …Signs of Foundation FailureFoundation problems show up as cracks, sticking doors, sloping floors and gaps around windows. Most houses show some minor settlement, but progressive or large …Sinkhole Warning SignsSinkholes form where water dissolves soluble rock such as limestone or gypsum, or washes soil into underground voids. Warning signs include new depressions, cracks …What Does My FEMA Flood Zone Mean?FEMA flood zones on Flood Insurance Rate Maps show flood risk for insurance and floodplain rules. Zones beginning with A or V are Special …
Engineering concepts
Concrete Strength (psi) ExplainedConcrete strength is specified as the 28-day compressive strength, f'c, in pounds per square inch. Residential concrete is commonly 2,500 to 4,000 psi, and …How to Read a Survey vs a Site PlanA survey records what exists and where the legal boundaries are; a site plan shows what is proposed. Both use similar symbols, so knowing …Soil Bearing Capacity ExplainedSoil bearing capacity is the pressure the ground can carry under a footing without failing or settling too much. Footings are sized so the …What Is Stormwater Detention?Stormwater detention temporarily stores runoff from paved and roofed areas and releases it slowly, so a developed site does not send more peak flow …What Is a Culvert?A culvert is a pipe or box structure that carries a stream or drainage channel under a road, railroad, driveway or embankment. It must …What Is a Load Path?A load path is the continuous route that loads take from where they are applied, through the structure, down to the foundation and soil. …What Is an Easement?An easement is a legal right for someone else to use part of your property for a specific purpose, such as utilities, drainage or …