How Much Does a Structural Engineer Cost in 2025?
Hiring a structural engineer costs an average of $553
On average, a structural engineer costs between $344 and $775, with an average total of $553.
The cost of hiring a structural engineer depends on the project’s size, complexity, and where you live.
Bringing in a pro early can save money by spotting design efficiencies before construction starts.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Hiring a structural engineer costs an average of $553, with most homeowners spending between $344 and $775. Prices can dip as low as $200 or climb to $1,500, and detailed drawings can cost $500 to $5,000 each. Where you live, the size of the job, and how often you call in a pro all affect what you’ll pay, so plan for those numbers up front. Bringing in the right engineer keeps your project safe and standing for years to come.
What Does a Structural Engineer Do?
Structural engineers are pros who focus entirely on the function of the load-bearing structure and ensure the building structure uses the materials, proportions, and design necessary for it to remain standing under stress. You’d likely hire a residential structural engineer for a few reasons, including:
Adding an addition to your home
Inspecting chimneys, brickwork, structural components, and concrete cracks
Remodeling where structural supports exist (such as paying for the cost of blowing out a wall to make an open-concept home)
Building a home with uncommon dimensions or in precarious places that require unique supports
Diagnosing foundational issues
Structural Engineer Cost Factors
No two jobs are alike, so your structural engineer costs will shift based on a few key things: the kind of report or inspection you need, where you live, and how the engineer bills for the work.
Report Type
What you pay changes with the kind of report you order. Because a structural engineer’s report comes with an inspection, treat it as one price. A general structural report averages $550, with most running $350 to $800. If the engineer needs to dig into possible foundation trouble, expect the bill to push toward $1,200 or more.
Inspection Type
The kind of inspection you order is a big price driver. A whole‑home structural check averages $550, but targeted inspections come in at different rates.
Most homeowners bring in an engineer to review one area before a remodel, after storm damage, or ahead of an addition. The inspection price covers the written report that spells out what you’ll need to stay structurally sound.
Plan Type
Engineers also create the structural drawings your builder needs. For most homes, those plans cost between $500 and $5,000 per sheet; new‑build designs tend to land between $2,000 and $10,000. These drawings lay out every load‑bearing component so your crew has a clear roadmap.
Commercial engineering plans cost anywhere from $5,000 to $100,000, depending on the scope of the project.
Prepare to devote as much as 45% of your engineering budget to plans and drawings.
Plans take anywhere from three days to two weeks to complete, depending on the level of detail.
Commercial projects take anywhere from one to four months to complete.
Geographic Location
Where you live matters. Engineers price jobs higher in areas with strict seismic or hurricane codes because designs must handle those extra forces, and local permit offices expect plans to prove it.
Project Complexity and Scope
Complex projects cost more. A small home bump‑out is quick work, but a brand‑new custom home demands far more design time—and a higher fee to match.
Rate
Engineering fees range from place to place and project to project. Depending on the project and the specific engineer, you may pay per project, per hour, or per square foot. On a per-project basis, structural engineer fees range from $2,000 to $8,500 for most basic residential services. You’ll pay $70 to $250 per hour if your structural engineer charges by the hour.
Budgeting for Hiring a Structural Engineer
If you’re building new construction or renovations, there’s no way to get around hiring a structural engineer in your area. However, there are a few ways to save on the costs of hiring these professionals:
Ask if the same firm can handle both engineering and architectural drawings—bundling can trim the total bill.
For straightforward jobs, such as removing a load‑bearing wall, look for pros who quote a flat fee instead of an hourly rate.
Stick with standardized design elements when you can; custom details drive costs up fast.
Pay for experience. A seasoned engineer often spots money‑saving options you might miss.
Keep the same engineer on board for inspections, assessments, and repairs to lock in multi‑service discounts.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should bring in a structural engineer any time you’re adding or removing something that carries weight—think new construction, a major remodel, or moving a load‑bearing wall. Call one during a real‑estate deal, after storm damage, or when you spot cracks in the foundation, beams, or chimney. An engineer’s report confirms that the structure is sound and tells your contractor exactly what fixes—or reinforcements—are needed to keep the home safe long‑term.
Who you hire depends on the task. Hire an architect to shape the look and layout of your home. Call a structural engineer to verify that load‑bearing elements—walls, beams, foundation—can handle the plan or to diagnose structural issues. Bring in a home inspector for a broad health check during a sale, after a storm, or for an appraisal. Matching the pro to the job keeps costs down and problems in check.
During the visit, the engineer checks your foundation, framing, walls, roof, and insulation, then compares what they see to any existing plans. If the structure matches the specs, you get the all‑clear; if not, the engineer outlines the fixes. Their sign‑off is what lets the next phase of work move forward, so expect clear notes on what’s solid and what needs attention.
Civil engineering is the broad field that covers roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. Structural engineers focus on the loads and forces inside a building or bridge—foundations, beams, and walls—while mechanical engineers design and keep power systems running, from elevators and turbines to HVAC equipment. In short, civil handles the big picture, structural makes sure it stands up, and mechanical keeps everything moving.
Most structural engineers offer free quotes. They’ll look at your home’s size and the scope of work to decide whether a flat fee or hourly rate makes sense. Simple inspections are usually priced by square footage; bigger, more complex jobs require a site visit and a detailed written estimate. Getting that number up front lets you nail down a budget before any drawings or inspections begin.
The engineer reviews every load‑bearing part of the home—floors, foundation, walls, roof, and major beams—along with insulation and the soil around the structure. They also factor in local weather risks and nearby water sources. The goal is to confirm that the materials and construction can handle day‑to‑day loads and extreme events alike, and to flag any spots that need reinforcement.
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