Best Structural Engineers 2022
Bykonen Carter Quinn
Bykonen Carter Quinn is a Seattle business that serves residential and commercial clients. Services include structural engineering design, renovation and restoration, historic structures, commercial and residential structures, feasibility studies, and seismic evaluation and design. Clients remark on their flexibility and creativity.
CT Engineering Inc.
CT Engineering Inc. is a Seattle business that provides structural engineering services and has been serving clients for over 31 years. The business’ services include institutional facilities, one-story retail buildings, public buildings, low-rise commercial office buildings, residential buildings, townhouses, stacked flats, warehouses, and excavation shoring.
Strong Work Structural Engineering
Strong Work Structural Engineering is a Seattle business that has been serving clients for over 20 years. Services include commercial buildings, apartment buildings, temples, churches, home consultations, feasibility studies, seismic hazard evaluations, solar thermal rooftop arrays, art installations, and remodels. Michael Chamberlain is a senior structural engineer who is a certified LEED Accredited Professional. He is the founder of Strong Work Structural Engineering. Clients appreciate their communication, creativity, and prices. The business has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Buker Engineering, LLC
Buker Engineering, LLC is a Seattle business that has been serving clients for over six years. The business works on a variety of projects such as tenant improvements, seismic retrofit design, seismic assessments, commercial building design, and wood framed residences. Daniel has more than 12 years of experience.
Harriott Valentine Engineers Inc.
Harriott Valentine Engineers Inc. is a Seattle business that has over 45 years of combined experience. Services include structural engineering services for new construction, additions, cabins, residential buildings, decks, remodels, and decks, seismic retrofits, forensic engineering, tenant and retail improvements, and temporary excavation shoring. Jim Harriott is the president and his affiliations include the American Concrete Institute, the Structural Engineers Association of Washington, and AIA Seattle.
MLA Engineering, PLLC
MLA Engineering, PLLC is a Seattle business that has been serving clients for over 16 years. The business offers services including facility assessments, structural engineering, value engineering and analysis, and seismic evaluation and retrofit. Construction types include masonry, steel, concrete, heavy timber and wood, glazing, tension cables, and post-tensioned systems. MLA Engineering, PLLC has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Cornerstone Engineering, Inc.
Cornerstone Engineering, Inc. is a Woodinville business that has been serving customers in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and the Greater Northwest. The business offers architectural and engineering services, CADD services, structural services, and surveying services. Mark W. Olson founded Cornerstone Engineering, Inc. over 16 years ago.
PCS Structural Solutions
PCS Structural Solutions is a Seattle business that has two offices and has been serving clients for over 50 years. The business’ projects include mid-rise and high-rise buildings, stadiums, schools, universities, commercial buildings, healthcare, parking, industrial, civic, tribal, and residential structures. The business was awarded the Best Structural Engineering Firm to Work for multiple times, including winning second place in 2006 and 2011.
CG Engineering
CG Engineering is an Edmonds business that has been serving clients for over 18 years. Services include land-use planning services and structural and civil engineering services including institutional planning, residential, mixed use, and commercial planning, master plans, slope stabilization, foundation repair, drainage design, site design and development, remodels and additions, seismic design, damage assessment and repair, and custom homes. CG Engineering has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
PSM Consulting Engineers
PSM Consulting Engineers is a Seattle business that has been serving clients for over 91 years. The business’ expertise includes renovations and upgrades, new structures, global work, seismic engineering, and design-build services, as well as design for the telecommunications and food processing and distribution industries. PSM Consulting Engineers’ clients include developers, contractors, facility owners, and architects. Ron Martinson is the president and he has over 30 years of structural engineering experience.
Fossatti Pawlak Structural Engineers
Fossatti Pawlak Structural Engineers is a Seattle business that has over 30 years of experience. The business has material expertise in steel construction, wood frame construction, seismic upgrades and code upgrades, and concrete construction. Each engineer at Fossatti Pawlak Structural Engineers has more than a decade of experience. Pete Pawlak is the president and structures he has engineered include nursing homes, apartment buildings, mixed-use buildings, hospitals, schools, offices buildings, manufacturing facilities, and houses. Fossatti Pawlak Structural Engineers won the AIA Merit Award for design in 2011.
Swenson Say Fagét
Swenson Say Fagét is a Seattle business that has been serving clients for over 20 years. The business’ expertise includes new structures, existing structures, and special projects such as climbing gyms, float homes, art installations, tree houses, and mechanical upgrades. Swenson Say Fagét is a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. Clients appreciate their communication and organization.
Engineers Northwest Inc. P.S.
Engineers Northwest Inc. P.S. is a Seattle business that has been serving clients for over 49 years. The business has won several awards and provides services including structural design, mechanical unit support, tenant improvement design, seismic investigations, building modifications and additions, disaster damage assessment, plans review, and property management consulting. Engineers Northwest Inc. P.S. designs buildings including multi-family residential, industrial, offices, multi-use buildings, retail, and public use facilities.
AUE
AUE is a Bellevue business that has two offices and has been serving clients in Puget Sound and nationwide for over 10 years. The business’ expertise includes the design of seismic retrofits, tenant improvements, new buildings, and renovations. The business works with a variety of industries including hospitality, justice, retail, industrial, financial, multi-use, fire stations, correction facilities, residential, office, schools, universities, grocery stores, and community centers. The principals have more than 25 years of structural experience and are certified by the Structural Engineering Certification Board.
Expert Answers To Common Questions:
- What is structural engineering?
- Is civil engineering the same as structural engineering?
- What does a structural engineer do?
- When should I hire a structural engineer?
- Do I need a structural engineer to add or remove a wall?
- I have a crack in my foundation. Do I need a structural engineer?
- Can a structural engineer be an architect?
- How long does it take to become a structural engineer?
- Does a structural engineer need a license?
- Q: What is structural engineering?
- A:
Structural engineering focuses on a building's load-bearing capabilities so that the structure can withstand its intended use. A structural engineer formulates innovative solutions to problems that arise and places great emphasis on safety. The job also requires creativity because structural engineers work with the aesthetic aspects of a project.
- Q: Is civil engineering the same as structural engineering?
- A: Structural engineering is a more advanced subdivision of civil engineering. Both types of engineering work to build structures. However, the primary difference is that the structural engineer works closely with the load-bearing materials and determines how they will perform their intended duties. In contrast, a civil engineer focuses primarily on the design elements of the project.
- Q: What does a structural engineer do?
- A: Structural engineers are helpful in just about every facet of the building process. They can evaluate the construction plans for any possible issues. Once a structure is erected, they can perform inspections on the property to determine any fundamental problems. These professionals are commonly in demand if there is damage to a home, such as from a fire or storm.
- Q: When should I hire a structural engineer?
- A:
The expertise of a structural engineer is used on a variety of building projects. Anything that involves load-bearing walls or foundations may require a structural engineer’s input. Some project examples include:
Building a new deck or replacing an existing deck
Building an addition to a home, such as a sunroom, additional story, or bump out
Inspecting a home after a fire or storm to determine how much structural damage is present
Planning or installation of solar panels or other weighted objects
- Q: Do I need a structural engineer to add or remove a wall?
- A:
A structural engineer determines whether the wall being removed is load-bearing or not. If the wall is load-bearing, the structural engineer comes up with a plan to support the load during and after the project. When adding a wall, these professionals can ensure it supports any weight placed on it.
- Q: I have a crack in my foundation. Do I need a structural engineer?
- A: The location and type of crack determine the need for a structural engineer. If it is a cosmetic crack, a structural engineer probably isn’t necessary. Cracks that impact the integrity of a property need a structural engineer. Cracks that are 1/8-inch wide and stair-step cracks are examples that require a structural engineer.
- Q: Can a structural engineer be an architect?
- A:
An architect works on the design and layout elements of construction. The structural engineer works to ensure that the structure is going to remain standing with normal use. In short, the architect is responsible for how the rooms look and the flow of the building. The structural engineer checks the integrity of the design and can inspect the structure after any potential damage.
- Q: How long does it take to become a structural engineer?
- A: It takes an average of 8 to 10 years to become a licensed structural engineer. The individual must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, which takes approximately four to five years. They also need approximately five years of apprenticeship work with a Professional Engineer. The person then has to pass the required licensing examinations for the states they plan to work in.
- Q: Does a structural engineer need a license?
- A: Structural engineers need a license to work in every state. The exact type of license varies from one state to another. Some require a specialized structural engineer license, while others require only a basic engineering license. In some states, a specialized license is necessary to work on specific types of structures, such as hazardous material facilities, hospitals, or schools.