How Do I Select a Structural Engineer?
Determine the size and scope of your project; you may wish to consult an architect or contractor first to discuss cost, feasibility and design coordination. Read our brochure here: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Compile a list of prospects.
- Search the Member Services Search for firms.
- Ask your friends and contractors for recommendations.
- Refer to your local telephone directory (check in the white pages, the "Yellow Pages," or in large metropolitan areas, the "Business Yellow Pages"), or
- Contact professional engineering and professional land surveying societies, such as SEAOSC, SEAONC, SEAOSD, SEAOCC, SEAOC, ASCE.
Confirm their State Registration.
- Visit the State of California Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (BPELSG) website and use the Online License Look-up Database to verify an individual's license, search for local professional engineers in your county, and view any disciplinary actions that have taken place against a licensee. This government agency covers many types of engineers, so be sure to look for "Professional Engineer" to view their Civil (C) or Structural (S) license.
- Review the Consumer Guide published by BPELSG for additional information on selecting a qualifed engineer.
Select two or more engineering firms and ask for references from
previous jobs similar to yours. Verify their expertise in your type of
project and their ability to complete projects on time and on budget.
Request that an engineer visit the project site in order to submit a
written proposal, including the objectives, anticipated time schedule
and engineer's compensation. While some engineers do not charge for a
preliminary visit, many do.
Member Services Search Page
This SEAOSC Member Services Search service is intended to assist the public in finding Structural Engineers (SE's) and Professional Engineers (PE's) claiming specialization in various areas of structural engineering. SEAOSC members pay a fee to advertise their "For Hire" design services on this service.
Important Notice/Disclaimer
SEAOSC HAS NOT EVALUATED THE QUALIFICATIONS OF PERSONS OR FIRMS LISTED ON THIS SERVICE, NOR DOES SEAOSC ENDORSE, RECOMMEND OR APPROVE ANY INDIVIDUALS OR FIRMS OR THEIR SERVICES. THE USER OF THIS SERVICE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT SEAOSC DISCLAIMS ALL GUARANTEES, WARRANTIES AND RESPONSIBILITY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ADVICE OR SERVICES PROVIDED BY THIRD PARTIES, INCLUDING SEAOSC MEMBERS, WHETHER LISTED ON THIS SERVICE OR NOT.
As always, persons or firms selecting or contracting with engineering advisors should seek the input of their own professional advisors.
The Member Services Search is a benefit opportunity of SEAOSC membership. Please contact the SEAOSC office for further information if you are interested in participating in the Member Services Search. Click here to look up the current status of California-licensed professional engineers.
Check the appropriate specialty and click on the Search button, If you check more than one box, results will return members in any of the categories selected.
