What Does a Structural Engineer Cost in Oregon?
At Johnson Broderick Engineering, a new project starts with a deposit, generally $2,500 to $3,500, billed against on a time and materials basis; the total structural engineer cost depends on your project’s scope, and we give you a fee estimate for the rest of the work once that scope is known. Any unused deposit is refunded, and that happens often.
We’re consulting structural and civil engineers in Eugene, and cost is one of the questions we’re asked most often on a first call. Here’s exactly how our billing works, and why we don’t quote a flat price over the phone.
How do you bill?
Time and materials, against a deposit. We discuss the deposit with you before any work starts. It lets us begin: research, preliminary design, site visits, and coordination with anyone else the project needs, such as geotechnical engineers or surveyors.
As the scope develops and the project takes shape, we prepare a fee estimate to complete it. You review and approve that estimate before any additional work is done.
How much is the deposit?
For new projects, generally $2,500 to $3,500. For as-built projects (work built without a permit), the deposit is generally $3,500, which from experience is the median cost of the up-front due diligence. See as-built permits.
What happens to money I don't use?
It comes back to you. Sometimes the deposit covers the entire project and there’s nothing more to pay. When a project comes in under the deposit, we refund the remaining balance, and this happens often. If a project is cancelled, we refund what’s left. On as-builts, anything remaining after the information-gathering phase is either refunded or rolled into the estimate for the rest of the project.
Why can't you give me a fixed price up front?
Because we don’t know yet what your project actually involves, and neither does anyone else. We provide a very wide range of services, and no two projects are alike. What it will cost depends on what we find through research, preliminary design, site visits, talking with you, coordination with other consultants, and site constraints.
A number given before that work is a guess. We’d rather do the work to find out, then give you an estimate we can stand behind. That’s why we don’t publish a standard range of fees for project types.
What if the scope changes?
We issue a scope amendment with a fee estimate, and we discuss the financial side with you before going down that road. You approve it before the additional work happens. No surprise bills.
Why isn't the lowest bid always the cheapest?
Because the price at signing isn’t always the price at the end.
We raise the difficult parts early: a hard budget conversation, a tough timeline, or a structural solution that costs more than you hoped. People have a reaction to difficult news up front, but nearly everyone is glad afterward that it came up.
A complete design also saves money later. Plans that are thorough get through permit review with minimal questions and generally see fewer change orders during construction. Surprise bills are never fun.
How long will it take?
Small projects can be turned around in two to three weeks. Larger new construction, complicated as-builts and other involved projects can take one to three months; it depends entirely on the scope. We don’t sign a contract and then disappear. You get regular updates and projected delivery or milestone dates throughout.
Does distance change the price?
It can. We travel anywhere in Oregon. Depending on the distance and scope, site visits farther away may cost more. Much of the design and project administration can be done remotely, so in-person meetings aren’t a requirement.
What happens after I call?
- We take down your project details and open a file.
- Our whole engineering team reviews new projects at our Tuesday meeting.
- We call you back: either yes, or, if it’s outside our expertise, a referral to someone better suited if we can identify one.
- We send a scope of work and a deposit estimate.
- Once you agree, we prepare a contract. When it’s signed and the deposit is in place, a project manager is assigned and work begins.
Common questions
Is the first phone call free?
Yes. We’re always willing to talk through your problem or question. If we can’t help, we’ll try to point you to someone who can.
Can I get a ballpark for my project type?
We don’t publish ranges by project type, because the scope varies too much for a range to be honest. Call us with the details and we’ll tell you what the deposit would be and how the work would go.
Will I know where my money is going?
Yes. We’re transparent with our billing so there are no surprises, and we answer questions about it whenever you ask.