Posted: Thursday Apr 23, 12:05 PST Updated: Thursday Apr 23, 12:06 PST
Structural Engineer Part-time
Sonoma County Area
I am a licensed contractor with over 30 years experience in residential and commercial construction. During the last 10 years I have been drawing plans and obtaining permits for clients throughout Sonoma County.
I am currently looking for a structural engineer or architect to do structural calculations on residential construction projects. I had been working for the last 4 years with a semi-retired engineer who recently went and made himself fully retired. He moved. We had worked together well, and I am looking for an engineer with whom I can have a similar arrangement.
Basically it worked like this. I draw plans for a new home or remodel. If I know beforehand or the permitting agency lets me know that engineering is required, I would meet my engineer at his home or mine or over a cup of coffee or frequently a beer, give him the plans as drawn and discuss what was needed and a fee. Either at this time or later, after he had reviewed the plan, he would determine what was needed and I would then draw the plans showing the engineered design. When I was finished, we would meet up a again, he would give me the stamped calcs and stamp and sign the drawings that I had prepared for submittal. I would pay him at this time.
It was informal, at times he went to the site, often not. The work ranged from calcs for a beam or header, to complete structurals for a new home, or for an as built situation. We did some small commercial jobs, but it was mostly residential. I liked it because the turnaround was quick and I wasn’t just a little job lost among the large projects with unreturned phone calls and all the rest that goes with that.
These are small projects, very straightforward, and I only used to need an engineer about a half-dozen times a year . They averaged about $600 -$1,800. This is not big money, but it it hassle free. You deal with an intelligent contractor who produces clear and uncomplicated drawings, and you never deal with a homeowner.
I have been slow lately, like the rest of us. I used to use these drawings for my own projects, but I am currently moving toward more drafting and permit handling jobs. I foresee more work for an engineer than in years past. Previously it was more of a sideline that led to construction jobs but there has been an increase in demand for more drafting work and less construction.
I live in the Sebastopol area, and this work is in Sonoma County for the most part. Please, e-mail me if your interested with any info you may think important. Not interested in your resume, this is easy residential stuff. I am interested that you are easy to work with, return calls, can explain things simply, etc. I can tell bad engineering and over engineering from good . That’s all I’m interested in.
rabbit@sonic.net
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