Learning Center
Learn how civil and structural engineers can help you accomplish the goals you have for your property. Gain a better understanding of why you need a qualified professional engineer for certain projects and how engineering works.
What is a planning feasibility study?
Land development can be a complicated endeavor, and a planning feasibility study is often a key first step to setting a project up for success. The...
Site Development FAQs
My neighbor didn’t have to comply with the same setbacks or height requirements that I do, so why do I? or . . . A property down the street...
The Missing Middle Bill 1110 and what it means for Washington State
written by Carmel Gregory, Planner Recently, House Bill 1110 passed the Washington State legislature and was signed into law by the Governor. This...
Short Plat: What you need to know before you decide to subdivide
If you are a landowner in the Pacific Northwest, you may be wondering if you can achieve more value from your land by dividing it into individual...
Bearing walls: what are they and why do we need them?
Walls do a lot of work. They keep the elements out and heat in, and they can be used to section off rooms. Some walls carry more responsibility...
Civil Engineering FAQ
What is a civil engineer and what do they do? A civil engineer is someone who specializes in planning, designing, constructing, supervising, and...
Structural Engineering FAQ
Structural engineering is a complex industry and can often bring up many questions for homeowners and small contractors. Here are some common questions –and answers– that come with the discussion of structural engineering.
A guide to permitting a project in Snohomish County
If you are embarking on a residential building project in Snohomish County, you might be wondering about the permitting process. Permitting is an...
What is a survey, and when do I need one?
We are often approached by clients who are eager to start on planning or engineering for a piece of land but they are surprised to hear that they...
How to get a site plan for your building permit
When you apply for a building permit, you will usually need a site plan. Learn what a site plan is and how to get one.
Does your civil engineering team include a land use planner? Here’s why it should.
Clients often come to us looking for civil engineering, without realizing their project requires some level of planning services. It is common for...
Planning an ADU in the City of Seattle? Read this first.
In 2019, the City of Seattle enacted legislation that makes it easier for property owners to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in areas zoned...
Taking a Residential Structure from Concept to Construction
Whether it be a new home, shop, carport, greenhouse, or landscape feature, taking a residential structure from concept to construction takes more...
Starting from Scratch: Engineering for Residential Sites
We often get questions from homeowners or property investors about how they can begin the process of preparing a piece of land for a new...
Permitting in the City of Seattle
Homeowners who are trying to navigate the permitting process in the City of Seattle will find that it is more complex than other jurisdictions in...
Homeowner’s Guide to Permitting
Most cities and counties have a similar process for permitting. The time to complete permitting for each project varies, depending on how...
Is Your Slope at Risk of Sliding?
Slope instability is a common problem for property owners in the Pacific Northwest because our hilly, wet conditions provide the ideal conditions...
Types of Retaining Walls
Chances are, at some point you have built a retaining wall. It may have been as child when you used sticks to shore up a sand castle or as an adult...
A Homeowner’s Guide to the Slope Stabilization Process
The Pacific Northwest provides the perfect conditions for landslides. Our naturally hilly terrain is often saturated with water from rain or runoff...
Foundation Settlement 101: Why and How Foundations Fail
Whether you’ve lived in your home for many years or you are preparing to purchase a property, it is important to understand that the safety and...
My Foundation is Settling, Now What? Steps for Successful Foundation Repair.
No homeowner is happy to learn that their property may have a foundation problem. If you see warning signs that your foundation may be in trouble,...
Underpinning: A Common Foundation Repair Method
Soft soil is the most common reason homes in the Pacific Northwest suffer foundation settlement. If the weight of a house is too great for the soft...
Why hire a structural engineer for foundation repair?
For many homeowners, embarking on a foundation repair project seems like a scary and intimidating process. After all, the foundation is the most...