If you are planning a renovation, home addition, major remodel, or new construction project, one of the first questions you may have is whether you need a structural engineer, an architect, or both.
The two professions often work together, but they have very different responsibilities.
An architect generally focuses on how a building is designed, arranged, and used. A structural engineer focuses on making sure the building and its structural components can safely support the loads placed on them.
For a simple project, you may only need one of these professionals. For a larger renovation or addition, you may need both.
Understanding the difference can help you hire the right person at the right stage of your project.
What Does an Architect Do?
Architects are primarily responsible for the overall design of a building or renovation.
Their work may include:
- Floor plans
- Room layouts
- Building appearance
- Exterior design
- Space planning
- Window and door locations
- Building code considerations
- Accessibility requirements
- Material selections
- Coordination between different parts of the project
For residential projects, architects often help homeowners turn an idea into a complete design.
For example, if you want to build a large addition, an architect may help determine:
- How large the addition should be
- Where rooms should be located
- How the new space connects to the existing home
- Where windows and doors should go
- How the exterior should look
- How the roofline should connect
- How the design meets applicable building requirements
The architect generally focuses on how the building functions as a complete space.
What Does a Structural Engineer Do?
A structural engineer focuses on the parts of a building that support loads.
This can include:
- Beams
- Columns
- Load-bearing walls
- Floor joists
- Roof framing
- Foundations
- Footings
- Structural connections
- Retaining walls
The structural engineer determines whether these components are strong enough to support the building safely.
They may perform engineering calculations and prepare structural drawings showing exactly how structural components should be constructed.
For example, if a homeowner wants to remove a load-bearing wall, a structural engineer may determine:
- What loads the wall currently supports
- What size beam is required
- Whether the beam should be wood or steel
- Where support posts are needed
- Whether the foundation below can support the new loads
- What connections are required
The structural engineer is concerned with how loads travel through the house and safely reach the foundation.
Structural Engineer vs. Architect: The Main Difference
The easiest way to understand the difference is to think about design versus structure.
An architect primarily asks:
How should this building or space be designed?
A structural engineer primarily asks:
How will this building safely support itself?
There is some overlap between the two professions, but their expertise is different.
For example, an architect may design an open-concept kitchen with a large opening between two rooms.
The structural engineer then determines how that opening can be created safely.
The architect may specify where the opening should be located.
The engineer determines what beam, posts, connections, and foundation support are required.
When Do You Need a Structural Engineer?
You may need a structural engineer when your project affects structural components of the home.
Common situations include:
- Removing a load-bearing wall
- Creating a large opening in a wall
- Installing a beam
- Moving a structural column
- Building a home addition
- Adding another storey
- Modifying the foundation
- Lowering a basement
- Changing roof framing
- Creating a vaulted ceiling
- Reinforcing a floor
- Building a large or elevated deck
- Repairing structural damage
- Investigating foundation movement
- Evaluating sagging floors
If the project changes how loads move through the building, structural engineering may be required.
When Do You Need an Architect?
An architect may be appropriate when the project involves significant changes to the overall design or layout of the home.
Examples include:
- Major additions
- New home construction
- Large renovations
- Major changes to exterior appearance
- Complex floor plan changes
- Significant space planning
- Building envelope changes
- Multi-room renovations
- Major roofline changes
An architect can help coordinate the overall design while considering how different parts of the project work together.
For smaller renovations, homeowners may sometimes work with a residential designer instead of an architect, depending on the project and local requirements.
When Do You Need Both?
Many larger projects benefit from both an architect and a structural engineer.
For example, imagine you are building a two-storey addition.
The architect may design:
- Room layouts
- Stair locations
- Window locations
- Door locations
- Exterior appearance
- Roof shape
- Connection to the existing home
The structural engineer may design:
- Footings
- Foundation walls
- Floor framing
- Beams
- Columns
- Roof support
- Structural connections
Both professionals contribute different expertise to the same project.
Do You Need an Architect to Remove a Load-Bearing Wall?
Not always.
If you already know the layout you want and the main issue is removing a load-bearing wall, you may only need a structural engineer.
The engineer can determine how the wall is currently supporting the building and design a replacement beam or other structural system.
However, an architect or designer may be helpful if the wall removal is part of a larger renovation involving:
- Kitchen redesign
- Major layout changes
- New windows
- New doors
- Stair modifications
- Large changes to several rooms
For a simple wall removal, structural engineering may be the primary professional service required.
Do You Need an Engineer for a Home Addition?
Home additions often require structural engineering because they introduce new loads and new structural systems.
Engineering may be required for:
- Foundation design
- Footings
- Floor framing
- Beams
- Columns
- Roof framing
- Connections to the existing house
You may also need an architect or designer to prepare the overall layout and architectural drawings.
For substantial additions, both services are commonly required.
What About Basement Renovations?
Whether you need an architect, structural engineer, or neither depends on the scope of the basement renovation.
A simple basement finish involving flooring, drywall, paint, and fixtures may not require either professional.
Structural engineering may be needed if the project involves:
- Removing walls
- Moving columns
- Modifying beams
- Cutting foundation walls
- Enlarging windows
- Lowering the basement
- Underpinning
- Changing structural framing
An architect or designer may be helpful if the basement renovation involves significant layout planning, new rooms, code requirements, or complex permit drawings.
What About Kitchen Renovations?
Many kitchen renovations do not require a structural engineer.
Replacing cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, or fixtures is generally not structural work.
Engineering may become necessary when the renovation includes:
- Removing a load-bearing wall
- Widening an opening
- Moving structural columns
- Modifying ceiling framing
- Installing unusually heavy features
An architect or designer may be helpful when completely redesigning the kitchen layout or combining several rooms.
What About Decks?
Decks can require structural engineering depending on their design.
A structural engineer may be asked to design or review:
- Footings
- Posts
- Beams
- Joists
- Ledger connections
- Lateral bracing
Larger, elevated, rooftop, or unusually configured decks may require more detailed engineering.
An architect is less likely to be required for a straightforward deck unless the project includes complex architectural design or is part of a larger renovation.
Who Designs the Beam?
The structural engineer.
Beam design involves calculating the loads the beam must support and determining the required material, depth, width, and connections.
A structural engineer may specify:
- LVL beams
- Glulam beams
- Steel beams
- Dimensional lumber
- Built-up beams
The engineer also determines what supports the ends of the beam.
This can include posts, columns, walls, footings, or foundation components.
Who Decides Where the Beam Goes?
This can involve both professionals.
An architect may determine the preferred location based on the desired layout.
The structural engineer then evaluates whether that location is structurally practical.
Sometimes the engineer may recommend changing the position of the beam, posts, or walls to make the structural system more efficient.
Good coordination between the architect and engineer can prevent situations where an attractive design becomes extremely expensive or difficult to build.
Who Designs the Foundation?
Structural foundation design is generally handled by a structural engineer.
The engineer may determine:
- Footing width
- Footing depth
- Foundation wall thickness
- Reinforcement
- Column pads
- Load requirements
Depending on soil conditions and the complexity of the project, a geotechnical engineer may also be involved.
The architect may show the foundation layout on the architectural plans, while the structural engineer provides the engineering details.
Who Prepares Permit Drawings?
It depends on the project.
Architectural drawings may include:
- Floor plans
- Elevations
- Sections
- Site plans
- Building layouts
Structural drawings may include:
- Beam schedules
- Framing plans
- Foundation details
- Connection details
- Structural sections
- Footing details
A permit package for a larger renovation may contain drawings from both the architect and structural engineer.
Can a Structural Engineer Prepare Drawings Without an Architect?
For many smaller residential projects, yes.
For example, a structural engineer may prepare drawings for:
- Load-bearing wall removal
- Beam installation
- Foundation repairs
- Structural openings
- Floor reinforcement
- Deck structures
If the project does not require extensive architectural design, an architect may not be necessary.
Requirements vary by project and jurisdiction, so the scope should always be confirmed before work begins.
Can an Architect Design Structural Components?
Architects understand structural concepts and consider them during the design process, but detailed structural calculations and structural member sizing are generally handled by structural engineers when engineering is required.
For example, an architect may design a large open living space.
The engineer then determines how the floor or roof above that space should be supported.
This can involve detailed calculations for beams, columns, connections, and foundations.
Who Should You Hire First?
It depends on the project.
If you are planning a major addition, custom home, or large redesign, starting with an architect or residential designer may make sense.
They can establish the overall layout before the structural engineer begins detailed engineering.
If your project is specifically structural, you may want to contact the structural engineer first.
Examples include:
- Removing one load-bearing wall
- Investigating foundation cracks
- Evaluating a sagging floor
- Designing a beam
- Reviewing structural damage
- Moving a column
In those cases, the structural engineer may be able to handle the project without an architect.
How Architects and Structural Engineers Work Together
For larger projects, coordination between the architect and structural engineer is important.
The architect may design a large open-concept room with minimal columns.
The structural engineer then determines whether the proposed design is feasible.
If the original design would require an extremely large beam or expensive foundation work, the engineer may suggest alternatives.
For example:
- Moving a wall slightly
- Adding one strategically placed column
- Changing the beam direction
- Adjusting the opening size
- Modifying the floor framing
These changes can sometimes significantly reduce construction costs while maintaining the overall design intent.
What About a Residential Designer?
Homeowners may also encounter residential designers or architectural technologists.
These professionals can often prepare residential drawings and layouts for certain types of projects, depending on local requirements.
A residential designer may work alongside a structural engineer in much the same way an architect would on a smaller project.
The designer handles the architectural layout, while the engineer handles structural calculations and design.
What About a Contractor?
A contractor is another important part of the project, but contractors have a different role.
The contractor builds the project.
The architect or designer develops the overall design.
The structural engineer determines how structural components must be built.
These roles often overlap during planning and construction, but each professional brings different expertise.
A good contractor may identify potential structural issues, but engineering decisions involving structural loads should be properly evaluated when engineering is required.
Example: Removing a Wall Between the Kitchen and Living Room
Suppose you want to create an open-concept kitchen.
If the project involves only removing one structural wall, you may primarily need a structural engineer.
The engineer would:
- Determine whether the wall is load bearing.
- Calculate the loads.
- Design the replacement beam.
- Determine post requirements.
- Evaluate the foundation below.
- Prepare structural drawings if required.
If you are also redesigning the entire kitchen, changing windows, moving doors, changing stairs, and modifying multiple rooms, an architect or designer may also be helpful.
Example: Building a Two-Storey Addition
A two-storey addition is much more complex.
The architect or designer may develop:
- Overall layout
- Exterior design
- Room arrangement
- Roof shape
- Window locations
- Building elevations
The structural engineer may develop:
- Foundation design
- Floor framing
- Beam design
- Column design
- Roof support
- Connections
Both professionals are likely to play significant roles.
Example: Investigating Foundation Cracks
If you have noticed foundation cracking and want to understand whether the problem is structural, you generally do not need an architect.
A structural engineer may inspect:
- Crack patterns
- Foundation walls
- Floors
- Beams
- Columns
- Signs of movement
The engineer can then provide recommendations based on the observed structural conditions.
Structural Engineer vs. Architect Cost
The cost of hiring either professional depends on the scope of the project.
A small engineering assessment may involve only a site visit and written recommendations.
A large renovation could require extensive structural calculations and drawings.
Architectural fees also vary depending on whether the service includes:
- Concept design
- Detailed drawings
- Permit documentation
- Construction administration
- Multiple design revisions
When comparing fees, make sure you understand exactly what is included.
A lower price may reflect a much smaller scope of work.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring Either Professional
Before hiring an architect or structural engineer, consider asking:
- Have you completed similar residential projects?
- What services are included?
- What drawings will I receive?
- Will the drawings be suitable for permit submission?
- Will you coordinate with other professionals?
- Are revisions included?
- What happens if unexpected conditions are discovered?
- How long will the design process take?
- Will site visits be required?
- What additional costs could arise?
These questions can help you understand exactly what each professional will be responsible for.
Structural Engineer vs. Architect: Quick Comparison
Structural Engineer
Typically focuses on:
- Structural safety
- Loads
- Beams
- Columns
- Foundations
- Floor framing
- Roof framing
- Structural connections
- Engineering calculations
Architect
Typically focuses on:
- Overall building design
- Floor plans
- Layout
- Space planning
- Appearance
- Exterior design
- Building functionality
- Architectural permit drawings
Both
Often needed for:
- Major home additions
- Second-storey additions
- Custom homes
- Major renovations
- Extensive structural and layout changes
How to Know Who You Need
A simple rule is to look at what you are changing.
If you are asking:
How should this space look or function?
You may need an architect or residential designer.
If you are asking:
Can this wall, beam, floor, roof, or foundation safely support the building?
You likely need a structural engineer.
If your project involves both questions, you may need both.
Do Not Wait Until Construction Starts
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is waiting until demolition has already started before involving the appropriate professionals.
Structural requirements can significantly affect the design and budget.
For example, removing a wall might require:
- A large steel beam
- Multiple posts
- New footings
- Foundation reinforcement
Finding that out after demolition begins can cause major delays.
Having the right professionals involved during the planning stage gives you a much clearer picture of what the project will actually require.
Structural Engineer or Architect: Choosing the Right Professional
Structural engineers and architects perform different but complementary roles.
An architect helps determine what the building should look like and how the space should function.
A structural engineer determines how the building can safely support those design decisions.
For smaller structural projects, such as removing a load-bearing wall, installing a beam, or evaluating foundation problems, a structural engineer may be all you need.
For major renovations, additions, or new homes, an architect or designer may develop the overall plan while a structural engineer designs the structural system.
The most important step is identifying the scope of your project early so the correct professionals can be involved before construction begins.
Need a Structural Engineer for Your Project?
If your project involves load-bearing walls, beams, columns, foundations, roof framing, floor framing, additions, or other structural modifications, a residential structural engineer can help determine what is required.
A structural engineer can assess the existing structure, calculate the loads, design structural components, and prepare the engineering documentation needed to move your project forward safely and efficiently.
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