Professional Structural Engineering Services
Licensed Structural Engineering for Safe, Code-Compliant Builds – Residential & Commercial in WA
Dow Engineering PLLC provides expert structural design, analysis, and permit-ready drawings for wood-framed homes, additions, ADUs, and light commercial structures across Pierce County, King County, Seattle, Tacoma, Bonney Lake, Puyallup, and statewide.
As a licensed WA Professional Engineering firm (based in Bonney Lake/Tacoma area), we specialize in structural solutions that meet Washington State Building Code, ASCE 7 loads, seismic requirements (high-risk zone), and local amendments. We focus on practical, cost-effective designs for small- to mid-scale projects.
Residential Wood Framed Structural Services
- New Custom Home Structural Design – Full framing plans, shear wall detailing, beam/column sizing for wood-framed single-family residences.
- ADU / DADU Structural Engineering – Permit-ready structural drawings for backyard cottages, including lateral/seismic bracing compliant with WA codes.
- Home Additions & Remodels – Structural modifications: load-bearing wall removal, floor/beam reinforcement, foundation upgrades for expansions.
- Foundation Design & Analysis – Shallow/deep foundations, crawl spaces, stem walls, seismic hold-downs for wood-framed homes.
- Structural Assessments & Reports – Existing home evaluations for remodels, additions, or sales (e.g., load path analysis, seismic retrofits).
- Seismic & Wind Load Calculations – Site-specific engineering for Western Washington's high seismic zone (SDS values, drift checks).
Commercial & Light Commercial Structural Services
Common Commercial Services:
- Light Commercial Building Design – Wood-framed structures like small offices, retail shells, or multi-tenant buildings.
- Structural Retrofit & Upgrades – Seismic improvements, load increases for tenant fit-outs or equipment additions.
- Foundation & Framing for Commercial – Slab-on-grade, pier foundations, glulam/timber framing integration.
- Load Analysis & Detailing – Roof/floor systems, connections, shear transfer for commercial occupancies
Our Structural Engineering Process
- Initial Consultation – Discuss project scope, site conditions, budget, and code requirements (virtual or in-person in South Sound).
- Site Visit & Data Collection – Measurements, soil info review, as-built if remodel.
- Structural Analysis & Design – Load calculations (dead/live/wind/seismic), software modeling (e.g., for beams, shear walls).
- Permit-Ready Drawings – Detailed plans, sections, schedules, notes – stamped by licensed PE for submittal.
- Review & Revisions – Address jurisdiction comments quickly.
- Construction Support – RFI responses, field observation if requested.
Typical turnaround: 2–8 weeks depending on complexity.
Why Choose Dow Engineering PLLC?
- Licensed & Local – WA PE firm with deep knowledge of Pierce/King Counties codes, seismic zones, and permitting processes.
- Residential & Commercial Focus – Specialized in wood-framed systems for cost-effective, durable designs.
- Quick Turnaround & Availability – Quality work, fast responses – always accessible for questions.
- Permit-Focused – Drawings designed to minimize revisions and speed approvals.
- Affordable Expertise – Transparent project-based pricing for small-site projects.
- Proven Experience – Successful structural sets for homes, ADUs, and light commercial in Western WA.