How much does a structural engineer cost?
How much does a structural engineer cost?
$350 – $900 house inspection and report cost
$500 – $3,000 engineering design plans and drawings
$100 – $220 cost per hour
Residential structural engineer costs
Hiring a structural engineer costs $350 to $800 on average or $100 to $220 per hour. Structural engineer fees are 1% to 5% of the total construction cost. A structural engineer inspection costs $300 to $900. Structural engineers charge $500 to $3,000 for residential home plans or drawings.
| Fee type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| House inspection and report | $350 – $900 |
| Engineering design plans and drawings | $500 – $3,000 |
| Hourly rate | $100 – $220 |
| Per square foot | $0.50 – $2.00 |
| Percentage of construction cost (new house) | 1% – 3% |
| Percentage of construction cost (addition or remodel) | 1% – 5% |
| Percentage of construction cost (commercial) | 0.5% – 2.5% |
Cost to hire a structural engineer
The following table shows the average cost of hiring a structural engineer.
| National average cost | $540 |
| Minimum cost | $200 |
| Maximum cost | $3,000 |
| Average cost range | $350 to $800 |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Typical structural engineering fees
Structural engineering fees are charged as a flat fee, hourly rate, or percentage of construction costs, depending on the scope of work, site visits, drawings, and reports.
Home and foundation inspections are charged at a flat fee, with any additional time billed hourly.
Consultations are charged by the hour.
Home renovations and new house construction are charged as a percentage of the total construction budget. The architect's fee typically includes the structural engineer's fee.
Drawings and building plans are charged at an hourly rate or have a flat fee.
Project management is charged as a percentage of the total construction cost.
Engineering fees as a percentage of construction cost
Structural engineer fee percentages for residential projects are 1% to 5% of the total construction budget, depending on if it's a new house, extension, or renovation. Engineering fees for commercial construction projects are 0.5% to 2.5%.
| Project | Percentage fees | Total cost for engineer |
|---|---|---|
| New house construction | 1% – 3% | $1,600 – $12,500 |
| House renovation / remodel | 1% – 5% | $1,900 – $3,700 |
| House extension / addition | 1% – 5% | $2,200 – $3,700 |
| Commercial construction | 0.5% – 2.5% | $4,000 – $190,000+ |
Building a new house costs $155,000 to $416,000, with $1,600 to $12,500 going to the engineer.
Home remodeling costs $19,800 to $73,200, with $1,900 to $3,700 going to the engineer.
Building a home addition costs $22,500 to $74,000, with $2,200 to $3,700 going to the engineer.
Structural engineer consultation cost per hour
A structural engineer costs $100 to $220 per hour, depending on experience, location, and project complexity. Most structural engineers charge a flat fee for inspections and an hourly rate for a consultation or anything outside the project's original scope.
Some structural engineers charge a higher rate for the first hour and a standard rate for each additional hour.
Structural engineer cost per square foot
Structural engineering costs $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot, depending on the project type, size, and complexity. Hourly rates and flat fees are more common than charging per square foot.
Structural engineer inspection and report cost
A structural engineer inspection costs $150 to $1,000, depending on the type and purpose. After inspecting the home, foundation, roof, or chimney, the structural engineer provides a report detailing the findings.
| Type | Inspection and report cost |
|---|---|
| Full home inspection | $350 – $900 |
| Foundation inspection | $300 – $750 |
| Load-bearing walls & beam calculation | $250 – $1,000 |
| Roof inspection | $150 – $600 |
| Chimney inspection | $200 – $600 |
The engineer's report typically states:
If the home is structurally sound
If not, what repairs are needed to address the problem
A step-by-step plan for correcting the issue, if included in the fee
If the inspection is for new construction or a remodel, the report confirms whether the building contractor adhered to the design plans.
Contact local building officials or mortgage lenders to determine what information the engineer's report must include. Some situations require a more extensive inspection.
Structural engineer home inspection cost
A structural engineer home inspection costs $350 to $900 and takes 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the home's size. During a house inspection, a structural engineer performs a visual inspection to confirm the building's structural integrity and then reports the findings.
A structural home inspection involves examining the home's load-bearing components, including the foundation, walls, beams, joists, columns, and posts.
Engineers check for shifting foundations, erosion, dry rot, and infestations.
Structural engineer foundation inspection cost
A structural engineer foundation inspection costs $300 to $750, depending on the home size and type. A structural engineer performs a visual evaluation to confirm the foundation is safe and intact. Hire a structural engineer to inspect cracks, bowing, or foundation shifting.
Load-bearing walls and beam calculation cost
Structural engineers charge $250 to $1,000 for a load-bearing wall analysis or $3,000+ when including drawing beam calculation plans. Prices are higher in areas with more building regulations and a higher cost of living.
Installing a support beam costs $100 to $400 per foot or $1,200 to $4,200 on average.
The cost to remove a wall is $500 to $2,000 for non-load-bearing walls or $4,000 to $10,000 to knock down and replace a load-bearing wall with a support beam.
Structural engineer roof inspection cost
A structural engineer roof inspection costs $150 to $600, depending on the home's location, size, and style. If the inspection uncovers problems, structural roof repair costs $3,000 to $6,000.
Chimney inspection or breast removal
A chimney inspection costs $100 to $600 to identify structural issues. A Level 2 or 3 inspection is required if the chimney is leaning or has structural, fire, or weather damage. Chimney repair costs $2,000 to $4,000 to fix a leaning stack.
Removing a chimney breast wall typically requires an inspection from a structural engineer if the wall provides structural support. Removing the wall may require adding support beams.
Engineering design plans fees
Structural engineering plans cost $500 to $3,000 for an average house design or remodel or up to $12,000 for a large construction project. The architectural firm's design fee typically includes the structural engineer's plan.
Draftsperson structural drawings cost
Hiring a draftsperson costs $30 to $120 per hour to create structural drawings. Drafting house plans costs $700 to $1,500 for pre-drawn plans or $2,000 to $10,000 for custom house plans. A draftsperson creates technical drawings and new blueprints or transfers existing site plans into CAD blueprints.
PE engineering stamp cost
The PE engineer stamp cost is included in the architectural plan fee. A PE stamp confirms the design plans meet all code and safety standards. For legal and liability reasons, most engineers won't stamp plans that weren't created by them or another engineer working under their direct supervision.
Civil engineer charges for plans
A civil engineer charges $100 to $200 per hour. Civil engineers design and maintain large structures, such as airports, roads, infrastructure, water systems, and public buildings.
Mechanical engineer cost
A mechanical engineer costs $100 to $200 per hour. Mechanical engineers design systems that generate, distribute, or use energy—such as engines, refrigeration, and air-conditioning systems—along with tools and technologies to meet transportation, production, and health care needs.
Structural Engineer FAQs
What does a structural engineer do?
A structural engineer evaluates the home's structural integrity during the design and construction process, inspects existing homes for structural issues, and draws up plans to fix those issues.
Design – A structural engineer works with the architect and building contractor to confirm the home's structural elements can withstand forces like gravity, pressure from the surrounding earth, and severe weather.
Construction – Structural engineers review site and soil conditions to determine the best structural support and materials for the building's design.
Renovation – A structural engineer evaluates remodeling design plans to ensure the changes will not harm the home's structural integrity.
Inspection – Structural engineers inspect existing homes, foundations, roofs, and retaining walls to identify structural issues that may cause a collapse, then create plans to correct the problem.
When to call and hire a structural engineer
Hire a structural engineer for any project that may affect the home's stability or structural integrity, such as:
Buying a home
A home addition or renovation
Moving or removing walls or a chimney breast
Foundation cracks, upheaval, sinking, or bowing walls
Structural movement, including unusual settlement, sloped floors, or cracks
Drainage issues on your property
Structural damage from a storm, flood, or earthquake
Solar panel or solar water heater installation
Retaining wall problems
Do I need an architect, home inspector, or structural engineer?
An architect costs $100 to $250 per hour or $5,000 to $60,000 for a full house design. Architects and structural engineers often work together to design a home, but their responsibilities differ.
An architect designs the home's aesthetic, spatial, functional, and technical aspects.
A structural engineer specializes in the home's strength, safety, durability, load-bearing elements, and structural integrity.
A home inspection costs $250 to $400. A home inspector evaluates the home's structure and electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems, typically for a real estate transaction.
How long does a structural engineer report take?
A structural engineer takes 1 to 10 days to deliver a report after inspecting, depending on if the inspection uncovered any problems. Most structural home inspection reports for real estate transactions are delivered within 24 hours.
How much do structural engineers make?
Structural engineers make $55,000 to $110,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
Getting free quotes and estimates from structural engineers
Before hiring a structural engineer and signing a contract, remember to:
Get at least three estimates to compare.
Choose an engineer that is a member of the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), or the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
Browse their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Select an engineer that is insured, bonded, and has been in business for 5+ years.
Confirm the engineer is licensed in your state and has worked on projects similar to yours.
Avoid companies with the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
Get a detailed estimate, contract, and guarantee in writing.
Set a project budget and payment schedule. Avoid making large payments up front.
Questions to ask a structural engineer
Are you licensed and insured?
Are you familiar with the local code requirements?
How many projects have you completed that are similar to mine?
Are you a member of the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), or the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)?
How much do you charge for a structural inspection, and what does it include?
How long will the inspection take?
Do I need to be home during the inspection?
When will I receive the inspection report, and what details will it include?
What should I do if the inspection uncovers structural problems?
How much do you charge for engineering design plans?
Can you provide a cost estimate for my project?
Can you provide references?