ACAR ENGINEERING
ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS. BUILT FOR TEXAS.
◆ Transparent Flat Fee Pricing

Residential Engineering Pricing Houston TX

Clear, upfront pricing for structural design, PE sign and seal, drainage design, detention pond analysis, and custom home engineering. No hidden fees — just honest engineering.

Important Note: All fees listed are starting prices for typical residential projects. Final fees depend on project complexity, scope, number of stories, flood zone requirements, and submittal completeness. Contact us for a free custom quote tailored to your specific project. Rush/expedited turnaround available for an additional fee.

Individual Services

Service Pricing

Pricing for individual engineering services. Most projects require a combination of services — see our packages below for better value.

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Structural Plan Review & Sign and Seal
Independent structural engineering review, analysis, and PE sign and seal
Starting from
$800
Typical range: $800 – $2,000
  • Independent structural engineering review & analysis
  • Code compliance verification per applicable building codes
  • Structural adequacy evaluation of submitted drawings
  • Engineering calculations and documentation
  • PE sign and seal upon satisfactory review
  • Written engineering letter or report if required
Get a Quote
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Residential Drainage Design
Lot drainage analysis and PE-sealed drainage plans
Starting from
$1,000
Typical range: $1,000 – $2,500
  • Existing & proposed drainage analysis
  • Stormwater runoff calculations
  • Drainage system design
  • Harris County & City of Houston compliant
  • PE stamped drainage plans & report
Get a Quote
📈
Detention Pond Analysis
Hydrologic analysis & PE-sealed engineering report
Starting from
$1,500
Typical range: $1,500 – $4,000
  • Hydrologic & hydraulic analysis
  • Detention pond sizing & design
  • Inflow/outflow modeling
  • HCFCD compliant design
  • PE signed & sealed engineering report
Get a Quote
📋
Residential Permitting Support
Engineering documentation for permit submission
Starting from
$700
Typical range: $700 – $2,000
  • Permit document preparation
  • City of Houston & Harris County submissions
  • PE-sealed drawings & calculations
  • Agency comment response
  • Coordination through permit process
Get a Quote
🔧
Post-Tension Slab Design
PT slab design, analysis & PE sign and seal for residential foundations
Starting from
$1,200
Typical range: $1,200 – $3,500 | Additional fees based on complexity & customer requests
  • Post-tension slab design & analysis
  • PT tendon layout & spacing design
  • Slab thickness & reinforcement design
  • Load calculations & soil bearing review
  • PE sign and seal on all PT slab documents
  • Additional design services available upon request
Get a Quote

Bundle & Save

Custom Home Packages

Complete engineering packages for custom homes — architecture drawings through PE-stamped construction documents. Best value for homebuilders and developers.

Structural Only
PE Stamp Package
$2,000
Starting price for 3,000 sq/ft home | Range: $2,000 – $4,000
  • Structural framing design
  • Foundation design
  • Beam & header sizing
  • Load calculations
  • PE sign and seal
  • Permit-ready structural drawings
Get a Quote
Full Service Package
Architecture + Engineering
$4,500
Starting price for 3,000 sq/ft home | Range: $4,500 – $8,000
  • Architecture drawings (floor plans, elevations)
  • Structural engineering design
  • Residential drainage design
  • Foundation design
  • PE sign and seal on all documents
  • Permit-ready complete package
  • Agency comment response
  • Fast turnaround available
Get a Quote

* Package prices are starting prices for a typical single-story custom home of approximately 3,000 sq. ft. Final fees vary based on home size, number of stories, structural complexity, roof geometry, foundation type, drainage conditions, floodplain requirements, permitting jurisdiction, revisions, and overall project scope. Contact us for a project-specific proposal.

What's Included

Package Comparison

See exactly what's included in each package at a glance.

Service Included Structural Only Complete Engineering Full Service
Structural framing design ✓ ✓ ✓
Foundation design ✓ ✓ ✓
Beam & header sizing ✓ ✓ ✓
Load calculations ✓ ✓ ✓
PE sign and seal ✓ ✓ ✓
Residential drainage design — ✓ ✓
Agency comment response — ✓ ✓
Architecture drawings — — ✓
Floor plans & elevations — — ✓
Starting Price $2,000 $3,500 $4,500

Pricing Factors

What Affects Your Project Cost

Every project is unique. These factors may increase or decrease your final fee.

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Home Size & Stories

Larger homes and two-story structures require more engineering analysis and documentation. Two-story homes typically add 20-30% to structural fees.

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Design Complexity

Complex rooflines, high ceilings (12'+), large open spans, and unique structural conditions require additional engineering analysis.

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Flood Zone Location

Projects in FEMA flood zones or Harris County Flood Control regulated areas require additional analysis and documentation.

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Turnaround Time

Standard turnaround is 5-10 business days. Rush/expedited delivery (2-3 days) is available for an additional fee. Contact us to discuss your timeline.

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Submittal Completeness

Complete, well-organized submittals help keep costs down. Incomplete or unclear drawings may require additional review time and fees.

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Jurisdiction

Different jurisdictions have different requirements. City of Houston, Harris County, and surrounding municipalities each have their own standards.

Payment Terms

How Payment Works

50%
Deposit to Start

Required before work begins. Secures your project slot and timeline.

50%
Upon Delivery

Balance due when completed PE-sealed documents are delivered.

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Payment Methods

Check, bank transfer, or electronic payment accepted.

Pricing FAQ

Common Pricing Questions

How much does a PE stamp cost for a residential home in Houston?
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PE sign and seal only (when client provides complete drawings) starts at $1,500 for a typical residential home. If structural design is included, fees start at $2,500. The total depends on project scope, complexity, and the extent of engineering review required.
What is included in the structural design fee?
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Our structural design fee includes framing analysis, foundation design recommendations, beam and header sizing, load path analysis, structural calculations, PE-stamped structural drawings, and permit-ready documentation. The fee does not include architecture/floor plans, drainage design, or permitting fees.
Do you offer package pricing for custom homes?
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Yes. We offer bundle packages that combine structural engineering, drainage design, and architecture drawings at a better value than individual services. Our Full Service Package starts at $5,500 for a 3,000 sq/ft home and includes architecture drawings, structural engineering, drainage design, and PE sign and seal on all documents.
Is rush turnaround available?
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Yes. Standard turnaround is 5-10 business days. Expedited delivery in 2-3 business days is available for an additional rush fee. Contact us with your timeline and we will do our best to accommodate your schedule.
Do you require a deposit?
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Yes. We require a 50% deposit before work begins to secure your project slot and timeline. The remaining 50% is due upon delivery of completed PE-sealed documents.
How do I get an exact quote for my project?
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Fill out our contact form or call 346-850-5856 with your project details — home size, number of stories, location, services needed, and target timeline. We will provide a specific fee proposal within one business day at no charge.

Ready to Get an Exact Quote?

Tell us about your project and we will respond with a specific fee proposal within one business day — at no charge.

Request a Free Quote