Mark SkinnerHomeowners dealing with foundation issues, developers planning commercial builds, and contractors trying to secure permits all share one goal: the need for the best structural engineer in San Diego.
Our city has strict seismic codes, so you need someone who understands both safety and the local approval process. The right engineer also makes coordination smoother when a project touches trades like local concrete contractors and masonry contractors.
I put together this list to help you compare firms that can handle different structural needs, from home additions to larger commercial work.
How much does hiring a structural engineer cost in San Diego?
The cost of structural engineering in San Diego typically ranges from $2,000 to $8,500, depending on scope, project complexity, and local seismic requirements.
| Project Type | Estimated Cost |
| Hourly Rate | $100 – $200+ |
| Inspections / Reports | $300 – $1,500 |
| Foundation Inspections | $1,500+ |
| Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Design (Structural) | $2,500 – $4,000+ |
| Residential Addition / Remodel | $3,000+ |
| New Custom Home Design | $3,000 – $20,000+ |
1. Reverence Engineering
Website:https://www.reverenceengineering.com/
Address: 501 W Broadway, Ste. 425
Contact: 619-354-1152
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Finding a reliable engineering team can be stressful, especially when your project isn’t a straightforward new build.
Reverence Engineering feels approachable because it works with homeowners, do-it-yourself (DIY) clients, and commercial teams instead of only chasing giant developments.
What stood out to me is how broad their project list is. They handle residential remodels, commercial retail spaces, architectural signage, heavy canopies, and real estate code compliance cases.
I spoke to a neighbor who used them for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) project, and he liked how thorough the first evaluation felt.
The tradeoff was the delay afterward. He said the next steps were not as clear as he expected after the paid site visit.
Still, their practical range and local experience make them a strong option if you need an engineer who can meet everyday property owners where they are.
Customer Reviews
Turnaround time is great
The team at Reverence is great to work with. They provide structural engineering for all of the signs that I install across the United States. Their pricing is reasonable and their turn around time is great. I would highly recommend them.
- Tracey Pichierri |Google Review
Fast responses
Brett is amazing. We had a very complicated project that no one could tell me the first steps on and he was by far the most knowledgeable person we spoke to on the scope and project limitations. Pricing was very fair and transparent and we received weekly updates on the project as well as fast responses when we had questions. Highly recommend!
- Whitney Bowers |Google Review
2. Sullaway Engineering, Inc.
Website:https://www.sullawayeng.com/
Address: 12396 World Trade Drive, Suite 312
Contact: 858-312-5150
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Sullaway Engineering, Inc. is the firm I would look at first for commercial projects that need more than a basic structural drawing.
They hold licenses across all 50 states, which makes them especially useful for companies building similar systems in several markets.
Their work leans into specialized structures like tension fabric systems, awnings, signs, and other branded commercial features. That niche experience matters because these projects often need stamped plans that are practical, permit-ready, and cost-conscious.
I also like that they focus on reducing unnecessary construction material costs without weakening the design. That can make a big difference on larger builds.
The main limitation is fit. If you only need help with a small residential remodel, their commercial focus may feel like more than you need. But for larger retail, hospitality, and signage projects, they’re a serious contender.
Customer Reviews
A pleasure to work with
Sullaway is our go to for Sign Engineering and other small projects. They are extremely quick to respond, cost effective, and have a quick turnaround time. They are informative though out the process and hold strong to their projected deliverable dates. I recently worked with Kent Nguyen, Structural Designer on a Flagpole project and he was a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend Sullaway!
- Seth Taylor |Google Review
Effective, and timely
Thanks to the team over at Sullaway Engineering, and especially our Structural Designer, Kent Nguyen, for his prompt attention to getting our needs for stamped engineering on a footing design taken care of quickly and efficiently. I’d recommend the team at Sullaway for clean, effective, and timely stamped engineer drawings!
- Chad Smith |Google Review
3. Lovelace Engineering, Inc.
Website:https://lovelaceeng.com/
Address: 10509 Vista Sorrento Parkway Suite 102
Contact: 858.535.9111
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Lovelace Engineering, Inc. has the kind of long local history that makes a structural project feel less intimidating. The firm has been around since 1988 and works across custom homes, multi-family housing, and commercial projects.
What I like most is the construction-informed perspective. Founder Miles Lovelace is both a structural engineer and a general contractor, so the designs tend to feel practical instead of purely theoretical.
I hired them a few years ago to look at a retaining wall issue, and their hands-on approach helped me avoid overbuilding the fix. They also offer site inspections and peer reviews, which are useful when you want a second set of eyes.
The downside is capacity. Their smaller team may not be ideal for a huge development with a tight schedule. But for focused projects, that smaller setup can also feel more personal.
Customer Reviews
Company with the best structural engineering services
Outstanding experiences! Arrik & Shany at Lovelace Engineering have continually provided our company with the best structural engineering services around for over 10 years. Professional, experienced, responsive & thorough. I highly recommend this company. 10 for 10 across the board!!
- Pacific Coast Drafting |Google Review
Responsive, understanding, reasonably priced
Miles was so helpful in correcting errors made by our previous engineer on our large kitchen remodel with removal of a load bearing wall. He was responsive, understanding, reasonably priced, and listened to our concerns. We will use him again if we ever have any additional engineering needs.
- Amy Briggs |Google Review
4. San Diego Structural Engineering, Inc.
Website:https://san-diego-structural-engineering.com/
Address: 1001 Garnet Ave, Suite
Contact: 858-314-9995
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
San Diego Structural Engineering, Inc. is useful when you want structural and civil support under one roof. That can make a complicated project easier because you’re not constantly coordinating separate teams for every design issue.
They work on a wide range of jobs, from residential additions to public infrastructure, and they tailor their designs to site conditions and budget.
I also like that they stay involved during construction observation, which helps catch issues before they turn into expensive rework.
Plus, their use of three-dimensional (3D) modeling adds confidence when a design needs to be visualized clearly before construction begins.
The drawback is cost and availability. San Diego’s regulatory environment is demanding, and a customized process can take longer than a basic plan set.
Still, their broad service range makes them a convenient pick for more complex builds.
Customer Reviews
Overall customer experience was great
I called on a Saturday afternoon with a last-minute request for a structural evaluation for a home I was buying. Eric was able to fit us in and delivered a thorough expert evaluation of the house, including photos and videos. The overall customer experience was great, with smooth communication throughout. I would highly recommend San Diego Structural Engineering.
- Mike Ambrose |Google Review
Top-notch structural engineering services
The experience was seamless from start to finish. Their communication was outstanding, keeping me informed every step of the way, which made the entire process stress-free. Their expertise and attention to detail were evident throughout the project, and we couldn’t have asked for a better consultant. Highly recommended for anyone in need of top-notch structural engineering services!
- Travis Frees |Google Review
5. Patterson Engineering, Inc.
Website:https://pattersoneng.com/
Address: 928 Fort Stockton Dr #201
Contact: 858.605.0937
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Patterson Engineering, Inc. is a strong fit if your project leans high-end, custom, or technically complicated. Their portfolio includes more than 2,000 completed projects spanning residential, commercial, and design-focused structural solutions.
I like that they offer support from early conceptual design through final construction oversight. That end-to-end model can be reassuring when you’re dealing with architects, developers, and contractors at the same time.
Their use of Revit and 3D modeling also helps everyone stay aligned before construction starts. For luxury homes or complex commercial structures, that kind of coordination can prevent a lot of confusion.
The concern is responsiveness at the beginning. Some clients have reported slow follow-up after inquiry submissions, so you may need to be proactive when requesting an estimate. Once the project is moving, though, their technical depth is hard to ignore.
Customer Reviews
Top of our list when it comes to structural engineering needs
Curtis and his team are lovely to work with. We have worked with them for over 15 years on some of our most complex architecture projects (Floating staircases! Cantilevered floors! Bluff Edge Coastal Projects!) and they always come through. They are consummate professionals and moreover they are a pleasure to team up with. They’re always top of our list when it comes to structural engineering needs.
- Nico Wallace |Google Review
Help engineer very difficult structural pools
We use Patterson engineering to help engineer very difficult structural pools. Curtis has a great way to eliminate the need for grade beams, which saves us a ton of time and hassle. Curtis is always available to chat, answers questions quickly and thinks outside of the box. I’d highly recommend them!
- Bart Jacobs |Google Review
