CAVVY STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

I provide quality detailed structural drawings and field review services during construction. My design can accomodate many custom additions such as open spaces, transition areas, full-height basements, slabs, or special roofs.

Fees for new residential construction are dependent on the project location and complexity of the house. Please provide existing architectural plans and the available site information when emailing for service.

I provide structural design and drawings for residential renovation work that involves modifications to the existing load path. Modifications such as removing an interior wall, extending a window opening, and extending the living space with an addition require structural engineering involvement. Because of the high seismic zones on the West Coast, it is also important to consider the impact of the renovations on the overall seismic resiliency of the structure.

Renovation fees will vary according to the time involved to complete structural drawings, engage a peer review, and complete the necessary field reviews.

Additions and extensions to a residence will typically involve some degree of analysis on the existing structure and foundations. Please provide existing drawings when emailing for service. The jurisdiction may also have their own requirements to be met. Please talk to the building department in your area to ensure the project can run smoothly:

City of Vancouver

City of Burnaby

City of North Vancouver

District of North Vancouver

City of Port Moody

City of Pitt Meadows

City of Maple Ridge

City of Mission

Township of Langley

District of West Vancouver

District of Squamish

City of Nanaimo

Town of Ladysmith

I provide an on-site review and a written report to assist with decision-making, whether for repair and restoration, for future planning, or for a professional opinion on an existing issue. If necessary, repair drawings can be provided for additional fees.

My fees range from $600 to $1000 for the consultation and report. Fees are determined based on the project location, my availability, and the level of analysis required. Please provide any existing drawings when emailing for service.

Before removing a wall, contact a structural engineer to review if it is non-loadbearing. I conduct an on-site observation to review the existing framing and submit a written report that indicates my assessment. Not all walls are load-bearing; however, not all non-loadbearing walls can be removed without additional modifications.

My fees range from $600 to $1000 for the consultation and report. Fees are determined based on the project location, my availability, and the level of analysis required. Please provide any existing drawings when emailing for service. Please also ensure that access is provided by the removal of finishes.

I provide structural design and review for suspended ceiling systems (t-bar and architectural), interior steel-stud walls, as well as the seismic restraint design for mechanical, electrical, and architectural components. These operational and functional components (OFCs) often provide a crucial role in transforming a space for a new tenant. These are likely delegated components within the overall T.I. project.

The common request is to have a structural engineer provide a Letter of Assurance (Schedule B/C-B or Schedule S-B/S-C) once the installation is complete.

Because of the high seismic zones on the West Coast, the role of the structural engineer is generally requested to ensure seismic restraint of the OFCs are sufficiently designed and installed. My preference is to be involved early on in the project so that any custom details or connections can be issued through my structural drawings.

I provide structural analysis and design for steel buildings, components, connections, and lifting lugs. Where steel design and miscellaneous metals have been delegated to the fabricator, I can provide shop drawing review and field reviews during construction. I also have experience with assessments on industrial structures including crane repair, lifting plans, and retrofit design.

My fees are hourly-based and dependent on the scope of work.

I provide structural design services to other Engineers and Registrant Firms on project-contract basis. These services assist with each firm's regulatory and professional compliance. I have experience with reviewing a variety of structures, components, and analysis methods including:

➤ VFRS and LFRS/SFRS for light wood-frame shear walls, structural steel moment frames and braced frames, conventional concrete, cold-formed steel

➤ Single-family residential structures, multi-unit residential structures (up to 5 storeys), and low-rise buildings

➤ Tenant improvements including the seismic restraint of operational and functional components

➤ Steel connection design, safe lift plans, and lifting lug design

➤ Irregular diaphragm analysis

➤ Seismic analysis methods for low-rise buildings

➤ Sign foundation structures

➤ Code analysis using NBCC 2015, BCBC 2018, VBBL 2019, CSA A23.3-14, CSA O86-19, CSA S16-19, CSA S136-12, CSA S37-18, CSA S832-14, CSA S350, ASME BTH-1-20, FEMA E-74

A completed Independent Review Checklist is provided along with markups that indicate feedback or items noted in the review. My work is thorough and clear; I am happy to provide supporting discussion, calculations, or to continue working with collaborators in developing design tools for more efficiency in design. My fees for Independent Reviews can range from $300 to $800 for Part 9 structures and $600 to $1600 for standard Part 4 structures. Time is billed hourly and the review is completed in (3) to (10) days.

For ongoing project support and review, I am open to discussing reduced hourly rate to fit with any project budget. Please send me an email to discuss further.

Generally, the wall will need to be replaced by a post-and-beam style solution that continues all the way to the existing foundation or to a new foundation pad. Existing drawings may show the current framing and foundation arrangements, and this helps simplify the analysis.

The work requires temporary shoring to support any trusses, joists, beams, or walls relying on the existing wall. It is important to hire a qualified and experienced contractor to do this work. Please note: removing walls is not always possible, especially in multi-storey buildings.

Talk with your jurisdiction's building department for timelines and permitting requirements.

In my experience, drawings can often be delivered within 2-4 weeks. This estimate is based on typical new residential work, a completed set of architectural plans, and a readily available Independent Reviewer. My preference is to provide detailed drawings rather than a generic detail package. This benefits the construction process and often helps develop a better relationship with the contractor. If requested, the drawings can be adjusted to reflect the appropriate amount of detail for the project budget.

A letter of assurance is a document that identifies who is responsible for what on a building project. Read about them here.

These letters can only be provided after completing a field review. I can provide the field review and note if there is compliance. I prefer to be involved before the work is constructed, so please feel contact me early on so that we can discuss and detail the design correctly. Review the drawings to also confirm whether the Registered Professional (Architect/Engineer) needs a structural engineer’s Schedule B or a Schedule S.

A Field Review is an on-site review completed by an Engineer. All engineering design work is required to have Field Reviews. This helps ascertain whether the work substantially complies with the design intent or good engineering practice.

Read more about Field Reviews here.

Independent Reviews are similar to 'concept reviews' and are required for most structural design in British Columbia. This review involves engaging another professional to evaluate the design concept, details, and documentation. Many conventional, wood-frame, one- and two-family dwellings fall entirely within the prescriptive requirements of Part 9 of the Code and do not require a structural design to Part 4. Similarly, conventional lateral design of one- or two-family dwellings which conforms to the CWC's Engineering Guide for Wood Frame Construction does not require Independent Review.

Because Cavvy Structural Engineering operates as a sole proprietorship, independent reviews and documented checks always require the engagement of an external peer reviewer. This will impact the cost and scheduling of a design project. Cavvy Structural Engineering has developed relationships with other Professional Engineers to ensure these impacts can be accurately conveyed to Clients.

Read more about Independent Reviews here.

Yes. The deposit helps me prioritize and schedule my work accordingly.

July 2020. I needed to find a way to make a living during a very interesting time in the world. I registered my practice, made this HTML website, answered the phonecalls, and started designing. Since then, I've continued self-employment and have enjoyed the challenge thus far.

I handle all aspects from conceptual design through construction, manage my own availability, and get involved in projects that I'm interested in. Like all other compliant firms, I operate with a Professional Practice Management Plan that helps establish consistency and quality in engineering processes.

My role in the industry is to help designers, contractors, and homeowners who need direct engineering service.

'Cavvy' refers to a group of ranch horses. The name aligns with my work ethic and breadth of my experience in different areas of structural engineering...and I used to train horses in my youth!

Thanks for your interest! Unfortunately, I do not have the space to take on extra engineering staff at the moment. Occasionally I subcontract drafting or administration tasks.

Get in touch if you'd like to chat. I'm happy to have a conversation about how to align your career and make meaningful choices in your work.