JRH Engineering's Structural Engineering Pricing — A Full Breakdown
Why Choose JRH Engineering
Why Developers, Contractors & Property Owners Choose JRH
Most engineering firms talk about technical capability.
We focus on what actually matters to your project: speed, cost, communication, and results.
Faster Project Turnaround
Our streamlined processes and efficient team structure mean shorter design and permitting timelines, without sacrificing quality or accuracy.
Lower Overall Project Cost
A low-overhead business model allows us to deliver competitive engineering fees while maintaining high standards.
JRH Engineering does not have the large overhead expenses most large engineering firms carry.
Clear & Responsive Communication
You work directly with engineers who keep you informed — no long delays or unanswered emails.
Proven Results Across Three States
We have successfully delivered civil, structural, and land development projects throughout Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.
Check out JRH's case studies.
Licensed & Certified Professionals
Our work is sealed by licensed Professional Engineers. JRH Engineering is also a certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB / WBE) and HUB eligible.
Introduction
When clients ask how structural engineering fees work, the honest answer is: it depends on what you're building, how big it is, and whether it's a standard type of structure or something custom.
JRH Engineering is a licensed civil, structural, and land development engineering firm serving Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.
JRH guiding principles are: Engineering Excellence. Delivered on Time. Built on Value.
Here's a complete, transparent look at how structural engineering fees are structured.
Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings (PEMB)
If a metal building manufacturer supplies the sealed frame design and reactions, JRH Engineering's scope is foundation design only, priced by square footage:
1–4,000 SF: $1,350 flat
4,001–10,000 SF: $0.38/SF
10,001–40,000 SF: $0.25/SF
40,001+ SF: Custom quote (project-specific)
This is JRH Engineering's most common structural scope — designing the foundation and anchor bolt layout to match the manufacturer's engineered frame.
Residential & Standard Structures
This covers homes, additions, carport conversions, barn homes, barndominiums, wood pole barns, sheds, and porches — foundation and framing combined:
1–1,320 SF: $1,400 flat
1,321+ SF: $1.06/SF
Foundation Only or Framing Only
If only one half of the structural package is needed:
1–1,320 SF: $1,400 flat
1,321+ SF: $0.60/SF
Other Flat-Fee Structural Services
Porch/Patio Cover: $1,400 flat
Pool Structural Design: $750 flat (standard scope; see exclusions below)
Windstorm Inspection (Brazoria & Galveston County, TX only): $1,100
Repeat Residential Stair Template: $750
The $1,400 Minimum
No standard structural job is priced below $1,400, regardless of how the square-footage math works out.
This firm-wide minimum reflects the baseline level of engineering review, calculations, and documentation every project requires, even a small one.
Pool structural design is the one exception, at $750.
Revisions & Custom/Non-Standard Work
Revisions to already-delivered, completed work: billed hourly at $180/hr
Non-standard or custom structures (industrial buildings, marine structures, litigation consulting, specialty/large commercial buildings, container homes, fully custom steel-frame design not tied to a manufacturer's package): priced hourly, based on an engineering hours estimate, since these projects don't follow a predictable formula
What JRH Engineering Doesn't Do
Being upfront about what falls outside scope matters as much as the pricing itself:
Pools deeper than 5.5 feet are outside scope, and pool work excludes layout/design, waterfall structures, and structures inside the pool — JRH Engineering provides the structural wall cross-section and calculations only
JRH Engineering does not review or certify other engineers' or manufacturers' structural designs. A stamped foundation built on a manufacturer's data is designed independently, not signed off on as someone else's completed package
Architectural design and site plans are outside scope — that's an architect's role, and JRH Engineering can help point to one if needed
Geotechnical/soil testing, surveying, and platting are always client-provided or handled by a specialist partner
Septic/OSSF design is outside scope
Full-time construction administration or site representation is only provided when explicitly scoped as its own line item
JRH Engineering does not submit permits on structural projects — signed and sealed plans are provided, and the client or contractor handles permit submission (this differs from JRH Engineering's civil engineering scope, which does include permitting assistance)
Inspections are geographically limited to pre-construction, pre-pour foundation, and post-construction inspections in Brazoria and Galveston County, TX only, and only on plans JRH Engineering itself designed
Why This Matters in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida
Structural pricing structures like this one are typically consistent in approach across states, though specific code requirements can affect scope:
Texas: PEMB foundation work and residential/barndominium structural engineering are especially common requests statewide.
North Carolina: Sloped-lot foundation work in the Piedmont and mountain regions can shift a project from standard to custom pricing, depending on complexity.
Florida: Wind-rated product compliance requirements can affect whether a residential structural scope stays standard or requires additional engineering hours.
A structural engineer who provides transparent, scope-based pricing upfront can help a client budget accurately before design begins, rather than receiving a surprise invoice later.
For general information on structural engineering licensure and scope of practice, see NCEES.
For background on how metal building systems are engineered, see the Metal Building Manufacturers Association.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does structural foundation design cost for a metal building?
For projects where the manufacturer supplies the sealed frame design, foundation-only pricing starts at $1,350 flat for buildings up to 4,000 SF, with per-square-foot rates for larger buildings.
Is there a minimum fee for structural engineering work?
Yes. Standard structural projects are never priced below $1,400, reflecting the baseline engineering review and documentation every project requires.
Pool structural design is the one exception, at $750.
Does JRH Engineering design pools of any depth?
No. Pool structural design covers in-ground pools up to 5.5 feet deep, and the scope excludes layout/design, waterfall structures, and structures inside the pool.
Does JRH Engineering submit building permits for structural projects?
No. Signed and sealed structural plans are provided, and the client or contractor handles permit submission.
This differs from JRH Engineering's civil engineering scope, which does include permitting assistance.
Where does JRH Engineering provide windstorm inspections?
Windstorm inspection services are limited to Brazoria and Galveston County, Texas.
How is pricing determined for custom or non-standard structures?
Non-standard structures, such as industrial buildings, marine structures, or fully custom steel-frame designs, are priced hourly based on an engineering hours estimate rather than a flat rate.
Want More Information on this Topic?
If a project in Texas, North Carolina, or Florida needs a clear, upfront structural engineering quote, JRH Engineering's team is available to help.
Call JRH Engineering: (800) 227-9635
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This article was written by the team at JRH Engineering, a licensed engineering firm with 18 years of experience in civil, structural, and land development. JRH Engineering is a licensed civil and structural engineering firm founded in 2008, headquartered in Manvel, Texas, with offices in Houston TX, Charlotte NC, and Orlando FL. Certified WBE, WOSB, and HUB-eligible. Phone: (800) 227-9635 | sales@jrhengineering.net | jrhengineering.net. Texas PE license is F-10385. North Carolina PE license is P-3118. Florida license is 38516.
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