15K-20K for structural engineer for 2 story ADU in Los Angeles?!

Los Angeles County, California
Land & New Construction
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15K-20K for structural engineer for 2 story ADU in Los Angeles?!

Chris Morris
Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2019 · 91 posts · 23 votes

An architect told me that the structural engineer services for building a 1000 sq ft 2 story ADU in Los Angeles would be $15K-20K. Does that seal reasonable?

My lot is flat and 'unremarkable', btw.

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Jared W SmithBusiness Member
Architect · Westchester County, NY · Member since 2018 · 682 posts · 476 votes
2y
Quote from @Robert Ellis:
Quote from @Chris Morris:

An architect told me that the structural engineer services for building a 1000 sq ft 2 story ADU in Los Angeles would be $15K-20K. Does that seal reasonable?

My lot is flat and 'unremarkable', btw.


 my structural engineer charges $750 per plan review and I have an offshore architect and drafter. I'd get 5+ quotes that's crazy even in cali for an engineer. 


Your engineer is "rubber stamping'. Not legal in most states for PEs and RAs.  

What even is an "offshore Architect". Meaning they are an Architect elsewhere? 


-Jared W. Smith, RA - Principal Architect at Architect Owl PLLC (Licensed in NY & CT)
 

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  • Account Closed
    Architect · Bay area, CA · Member since 2020 · 25 posts · 26 votes
    3y

    Hi Chris, costs for consultants are often a percentage of the total cost of the project, structural fees for a residential project are usually around 2-5% of the total cost of construction (unless it's a complicated build, sounds like yours isn't). Architects are usually more like 7-20% for residential work. So think about the total cost and if that falls within that range. You do have the option to hire the consultant yourself, but there's some coordination responsibility that can get mucky if the SEOR is not contracted through the architect. You can always ask to negotiate the price! Best of luck

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  • Will BarnardPro Member
    Moderator
    Developer · Santa Clarita, CA · Member since 2008 · 15k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    3y

    I personally have never had any architect or structural engineer bid any of my projects or that of my clients based on a percentage of the construction, it is always based on time which is subject to complexity. For a 2 story ADU, your architectural and structural combined should not be more than $20k for simple design that is not hillside or anything complicated. If they want to charge you $15k- $20k for just structural, find another.

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  • Chris Morris
    OP
    Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2019 · 91 posts · 23 votes
    3y

    Thanks for all of the replies so far!

    0Reply
  • Kyle Carson
    Contractor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2022 · 8 posts · 4 votes
    3y

    Hey Chris, my structural engineer charges anywhere from $4k - $6k for a project like that. That should be the range in Socal for a flat lot assuming you don't have any special circumstances and it's a standard slab foundation.

    1Reply
  • Grace Carol
    Investor · Fremont, CA · Member since 2016 · 18 posts · 1 vote
    3y

    Hi Kyle,

    Can you please provide your structural engineer as I have a job that requires an engineer in Southern California?

    Thanks

    0Reply
  • Eric Goldman
    Homeowner · Toluca Lake · Member since 2020 · 4 posts · 3 votes
    2y

    I usually get my engineering structural calculations from this outfit. The last two story ADU garage conversion cost about $2,500 for a 1,000 sf project.

    https://www.sgstudio.org/

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  • Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
    2y

    @Chris Morris

    That seems extremely excessive I would say $5-$10k at most

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  • Chris Morris
    OP
    Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2019 · 91 posts · 23 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Chris Seveney:

    @Chris Morris

    That seems extremely excessive I would say $5-$10k at most


     Thanks Chris. I am finding it to be $4K - $6K w/ the person I'm using.

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  • Robert EllisBusiness Member
    Developer · Miami, FL · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Chris Morris:

    An architect told me that the structural engineer services for building a 1000 sq ft 2 story ADU in Los Angeles would be $15K-20K. Does that seal reasonable?

    My lot is flat and 'unremarkable', btw.


     my structural engineer charges $750 per plan review and I have an offshore architect and drafter. I'd get 5+ quotes that's crazy even in cali for an engineer. 

    [email protected]786-494-6766
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  • Jared W SmithBusiness Member
    Architect · Westchester County, NY · Member since 2018 · 682 posts · 476 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Robert Ellis:
    Quote from @Chris Morris:

    An architect told me that the structural engineer services for building a 1000 sq ft 2 story ADU in Los Angeles would be $15K-20K. Does that seal reasonable?

    My lot is flat and 'unremarkable', btw.


     my structural engineer charges $750 per plan review and I have an offshore architect and drafter. I'd get 5+ quotes that's crazy even in cali for an engineer. 


    Your engineer is "rubber stamping'. Not legal in most states for PEs and RAs.  

    What even is an "offshore Architect". Meaning they are an Architect elsewhere? 


    -Jared W. Smith, RA - Principal Architect at Architect Owl PLLC (Licensed in NY & CT)
     

    Architect Owl PLLC521 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    2Reply
  • Robert EllisBusiness Member
    Developer · Miami, FL · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Jared W Smith:
    Quote from @Robert Ellis:
    Quote from @Chris Morris:

    An architect told me that the structural engineer services for building a 1000 sq ft 2 story ADU in Los Angeles would be $15K-20K. Does that seal reasonable?

    My lot is flat and 'unremarkable', btw.


     my structural engineer charges $750 per plan review and I have an offshore architect and drafter. I'd get 5+ quotes that's crazy even in cali for an engineer. 


    Your engineer is "rubber stamping'. Not legal in most states for PEs and RAs.  

    What even is an "offshore Architect". Meaning they are an Architect elsewhere? 


    -Jared W. Smith, RA - Principal Architect at Architect Owl PLLC (Licensed in NY & CT)
     


     My engineer walks the site and meets with me in person and reviews all the plans, plus he makes 3 visits throughout the duration of the project to check framing, fire assemblies, etc. he's a structural engineer and would never take a risk that would lose is professional engineer license. we are hands on and he's local to my market. I was just saying 15k for one dwelling unit is nuts. 

    an offshore architect is an architect not located in the United States. it means he can get to projects quicker, faster, more affordable, and higher quality than most architects in the United States. most architects want 10k for a set of drawings and I can get it done for 1/5 of that. I handle all of the design, compliance, building department plans reviews, etc as a service on projects we do. we are more of a boutique development firm for infill lots for single and multifamily. 

    [email protected]786-494-6766
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  • Jared W SmithBusiness Member
    Architect · Westchester County, NY · Member since 2018 · 682 posts · 476 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Robert Ellis:
    Quote from @Jared W Smith:
    Quote from @Robert Ellis:
    Quote from @Chris Morris:

    An architect told me that the structural engineer services for building a 1000 sq ft 2 story ADU in Los Angeles would be $15K-20K. Does that seal reasonable?

    My lot is flat and 'unremarkable', btw.


     my structural engineer charges $750 per plan review and I have an offshore architect and drafter. I'd get 5+ quotes that's crazy even in cali for an engineer. 


    Your engineer is "rubber stamping'. Not legal in most states for PEs and RAs.  

    What even is an "offshore Architect". Meaning they are an Architect elsewhere? 


    -Jared W. Smith, RA - Principal Architect at Architect Owl PLLC (Licensed in NY & CT)
     


     My engineer walks the site and meets with me in person and reviews all the plans, plus he makes 3 visits throughout the duration of the project to check framing, fire assemblies, etc. he's a structural engineer and would never take a risk that would lose is professional engineer license. we are hands on and he's local to my market. I was just saying 15k for one dwelling unit is nuts. 

    an offshore architect is an architect not located in the United States. it means he can get to projects quicker, faster, more affordable, and higher quality than most architects in the United States. most architects want 10k for a set of drawings and I can get it done for 1/5 of that. I handle all of the design, compliance, building department plans reviews, etc as a service on projects we do. we are more of a boutique development firm for infill lots for single and multifamily. 

    Problem is you have a whole system in place and knowledgeable on the processes. Some novice is going to come on here and see “$750” and think that’s normal. That’s not even close to average. I agree $15k for an ADU’s structural is a lot. Probably on par with $5-7k in my opinion. 

    And you’re right, I’d charge $10k for a set of drawings but that comes with the professional insight and access to an Architect. And again you have a system with architectural but you also take a lot of liability for filling in the missing pieces that the foreign architect doesn’t do. Having a US licensed Architect takes all that away from the Owner/Client. 

    You are the exception. People need to know that. If they’re willing to implement your systems, then go for it but know what that entails. 
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  • Charles Schram
    Architect · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2021 · 15 posts · 2 votes
    2y

    My team can assist with the range of pricing and services noted within this thread for architecture and engineering. We agree that it absolutely depends on your design intent, including the number of stories and square footage, hillside vs flat and overall level of custom detail desired. We would be happy to help here as a licensed architecture practice. As specialists in hillside residential with creative ADU's, additions, remodels and new construction, we're prepared to assist in all locations at all scales.

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