What our structural load calculations include
Most residential and light commercial projects need a few structural calculations rather than a full structural design: a beam to replace a removed wall, headers for new openings, joists for a loft conversion, a post-and-beam deck, or a roof that will carry solar panels. Each starts with a load take-down: what weight and forces reach each member.
We calculate loads from the materials and occupancy, add environmental loads for your location (snow, wind and seismic maps and factors from your code), combine them using the code's load combinations and size members in steel, timber, LVL/glulam or concrete. The report shows every assumption so your engineer can check it quickly.
Calculations often lead into foundation plan design or structural drafting.
Deliverables you receive
- Load take-down with load paths
- Dead, live, snow, wind and seismic loads for your site
- Member sizing: beams, headers, joists, columns and posts
- Connection and bearing checks where needed
- Calculation report in PDF with references
- Marked-up plan showing member sizes and locations
What we need from you
- Floor plans, sections and the proposed change
- Building materials and roof/floor build-ups
- Location (for snow, wind and seismic values)
- Code edition used by your authority
Who orders this service
- Renovation contractors and builders
- Building designers and architects
- Homeowners removing walls or adding storeys
- Solar and deck installers
Software and file formats
Calculation reports in PDF, with supporting spreadsheets; software such as RISA, Forte WEB, enercalc-style tools or hand calculations as appropriate.
Structural Load Calculation standards in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia
We set up every project on the standard of the country where it will be built or manufactured. These are the references we work to most often:
| Country | Standards and codes we draft structural load calculation to |
|---|---|
| USA | ASCE 7-22 loads, ACI 318 concrete, AISC 360 steel, NDS for wood, IBC/IRC structural chapters |
| UK | Eurocodes with UK National Annexes (EN 1990–1997), Building Regulations Approved Document A |
| Canada | NBC 2020 Part 4 and Part 9, CSA A23.3 concrete, CSA S16 steel, CSA O86 wood |
| Australia | AS/NZS 1170 structural actions, AS 3600 concrete, AS 4100 steel, AS 1720 timber, AS 2870 residential footings |
Engineering responsibility: we prepare drawings, models and calculations as a drafting and design-support team. Where the law in your state, province or council requires it, the final design must be reviewed, signed and sealed by the licensed engineer or architect of record for the project. We work to their markups and do not stamp drawings ourselves.
How our structural load calculation process works
- 1Send your files
Upload sketches, PDFs, markups, photos, scans or a model through the quote form. Tell us the standard (US, UK, Canada or Australia) and the deadline.
- 2Fixed quote in hours
We review the scope and reply with a fixed price, the deliverables list and a delivery date. Nothing starts until you approve it.
- 3Drafting & modeling
Your project is drawn in AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, SolidWorks or the software you use, on your title block, layers and templates.
- 4QA check
A second drafter checks dimensions, annotations, layer standards, sheet numbering and cross-references against your input before anything is sent.
- 5Delivery & revisions
You receive native files plus PDFs. Comments come back as markups and we revise them quickly until the set matches the brief.
Turnaround and pricing
A single beam or header calculation is usually delivered in 1–2 business days; full load take-downs for a house in 3–5 days. Every job is priced as a fixed quote after we review your files, so you know the cost and the delivery date before work starts. See how our pricing works, or send your files through the quote form for a quick estimate.
Related services
Structural Load Calculation projects often need foundation plan design, structural Design/Drafting services and renovation design services as well. You can order them together on one quote, or browse every option in our structural engineering services.
