Retaining Walls

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Foundations & Soils Reports

  Buildings and Remodel

To owner-builders:
Buildings such as single family residences, duplexes, or garages can be done without a civil engineer, if they comply with standards in the CBC. However, custom features usually require engineering calculations and more and more foundations require engineering work. Remodels involving foundations or walls require a Soils Report and engineering. I can prepare the plans and calculations or I can perform the engineering on plans prepared by others. 

Non-Permitted Work:
When work is done without a permit, the building official may assess penalties in addition to the permit cost and require an engineer to review the work.  In my experience as the engineer reviewing non–permitted work for the owner, I have quickly found feasible solutions to the satisfaction of both the owner and Building Official.

To contractors:
Whether the plans are prepared in house or by myself, the advantage of my review prior to construction is time savings when a problem arises.  Familiarity with the project can expedite the resolution to within hours and avoid rescheduling delays and crew standby.  I have also assisted on many projects during construction to quickly resolve unforeseen conflicts or changes, even though I was not the designer.

BUILDING DESIGN AUTHORITY  (Structural Engineers, Civil Engineers, Architects, Unlicensed Individuals) http://www.pels.ca.gov/pubs/building_design_auth.pdf