Choosing the Right Structural Engineer for a Seismic Retrofit
Seismic retrofitting isn’t just about crunching numbers. It’s about how those numbers are interpreted, turned into design plans, and built in the real world. The structural engineer you choose will shape nearly every aspect of your project—from cost and complexity to safety and long-term value.
But not all engineers approach seismic retrofits the same way. Some specialize in this work. Others don’t. And that difference can have a significant impact on how successful (and how expensive) your retrofit turns out to be.
In our experience, bringing in a structural engineer with retrofit-specific knowledge early in the process helps avoid costly missteps and sets the project up for success.
Here are five things to look for before your project begins.
1. Not All Structural Engineers Specialize in Seismic Retrofits
Seismic retrofitting is a specialized area of structural engineering. It requires experience with older buildings, unique load paths, tenant-occupied spaces, and local permitting requirements. More importantly, it requires a clear understanding of what’s practical to build.
Two engineers can review the same building and propose entirely different solutions. One design may be streamlined and cost-effective. The other may be overly complex, driving up construction costs without improving performance.
“Seismic retrofits are part science and part art — roughly 60% technical data and 40% interpretation.”
Steven Saunders
Founder, Saunders Seismic
That interpretation is what sets the best engineers apart. They know how to balance life safety, building code compliance, and construction efficiency—all without driving up costs unnecessarily.
We’ve learned over the years that engineers with seismic retrofit experience also know how to anticipate common obstacles in existing buildings, such as:
- Tenant operations—machinery, office partitions, or storage areas that limit access
- Interior buildouts—fixtures, insulation, or mezzanines that make it challenging to maneuver materials
- Hidden systems—mechanical, electrical, or plumbing (MEP) lines running through structural areas
These elements typically don’t need to be removed—but if your engineer doesn’t plan around them, we’ve seen they can cause costly delays, change orders, or inefficient construction methods. Something as simple as failing to route materials through an office or mezzanine can increase labor costs and unnecessarily extend the timeline.
2. Why Engineering Proposals Can Vary So Much
If you’re comparing engineering proposals, you might see significant price differences—from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands. That’s not uncommon, but it’s not always easy to compare.
In our experience reviewing hundreds of proposals,those price gaps usually come down to scope, assumptions, and how much thought has gone into constructability.
Some engineers include more than necessary. Others leave out critical details. Some proposals are just rough estimates, while others offer fully detailed designs based on field conditions.
Before you decide based on price alone, ask:
- Is this a rough estimate or a complete design proposal?
- Does the engineer have retrofit experience with buildings of my type, and how many have they done?
- Has constructability been considered?
At Saunders, we routinely help clients review engineering bids to ensure the scope is realistic, the cost is justified, and the proposal fits the project goals.
3. Think Twice About Design-Build Engineering Firms
Design-build can simplify scheduling and communication by putting engineering and construction under one roof—but for seismic retrofits, that convenience often comes at the cost of transparency and control.
For seismic retrofits, especially those that are voluntary, design-build is rarely the best choice.
Seismic retrofits aren’t just about getting plans stamped. You may need to meet lender or insurance requirements, reduce your building’s Scenario Upper Loss (SUL), or simply ensure your building is more resilient.
In a design-build model, the contractor controls both design and pricing—with no independent review to verify that performance goals are met.
That can lead to several key risks:
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Misaligned goals – Strengthening levels may reflect contractor assumptions, not yours.
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No price comparison – Without a standard design, it’s hard to get apples-to-apples bids.
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Resale issues – Buyers or lenders may question whether your retrofit meets target SUL.
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Lost savings – Independent contractors often catch design oversights or suggest cost-saving alternatives—feedback that’s rarely part of a design-build process.
Independent engineers don’t profit from construction costs. Their only job is to design what your building actually needs.
We’ve seen firsthand how design-build can fall short—especially when the SUL target isn’t met, putting financing, insurance, or market value at risk. While we can work with any design, we strongly recommend a two-step process for most projects: separate the engineering from the build.
Want speed? Design-build might appeal.
Want confidence? Keep them separate.
4. The Right Structural Engineer Can Save You Thousands
The structural engineer you choose has a major impact on your final construction cost. At Saunders, we’ve worked on projects where we were brought in after the engineering was complete, and the plans were driving up costs more than necessary.
In some cases, we were able to collaborate with the existing engineer and revise the scope. In others, we helped the client bring in a new engineer with more retrofit experience, dramatically reducing construction costs.
“We’ve had projects where construction costs were cut in half just by working with the right engineer.”
Steven Saunders
Founder, Saunders Seismic
That kind of cost savings isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about choosing professionals who truly understand what’s required to meet your goals, and nothing more.
Over our 40+ year history, Saunders has worked with many structural engineers—but only a handful consistently design retrofits that keep both the SUL (Scenario Upper Loss) and the construction scope reasonable.
When lenders or insurers require your retrofit to meet a target SUL—often 20% or less—there are many ways to get there. A qualified retrofit engineer knows how to reach that goal without inflating the scope or making the project more complicated and costly than it needs to be.
When we provide conceptual budgets, we always make it clear: those numbers are only reliable if paired with engineers we trust.
5. Match the Engineer to Your Building Type
One of the most common missteps we see is hiring a generalist instead of an engineer who understands your building type.
Different buildings require different engineering approaches. A soft-story apartment retrofit is very different from a tilt-up warehouse, a multi-tenant office, or an unreinforced masonry building.
Some engineers specialize in one type of structure, while others have broader experience. What matters is choosing someone who knows how to retrofit your building type, not just any building in general.
With thousands of projects completed, we know which structural engineers bring the right expertise for each type of building—and we’re happy to connect you with one that fits your needs.
Set Your Project Up for Success with Saunders
Choosing the right structural engineer isn’t just a box to check—it shapes your entire project. The right engineer can help you prevent delays, keep your retrofit practical and buildable, and meet safety goals without overcomplicating the process.
That’s why Saunders Seismic stays actively involved at every stage—from budgeting and design to construction. With decades of retrofit experience, we help assess constructability, spot cost-saving opportunities, and connect you with engineers who specialize in your building type.
We’ve worked side by side with engineers and owners to solve tough challenges and complete projects smoothly—sometimes reducing costs by up to 50% without sacrificing safety or compliance.
When you work with Saunders, you’re not navigating the process alone. We’ll help you assess options, recommend trusted experts, and guide you every step of the way.
Let’s get your project off to the right start. Call us for a free, no-pressure consultation today.