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Guides on permitting, codes, and design
Short, practical reads from our engineers on the questions homeowners and builders ask most.
Latest from the engineers.
FeaturedWhat Is a Building Permit Site Plan and Why Do You Need One?
Learn what constitutes a professional site plan for residential permits and why local jurisdictions require them for approval.
Guides, explainers, and field notes.
Floor Joist Sizing: How to Determine Proper Structural Capacity
Learn how to determine proper floor joist sizing to ensure your home renovation is structurally sound and meets current building codes.
By TVP Engineering
How to Resolve Residential Building Permit Correction Letters
Learn how to effectively respond to permit correction letters and get your residential project approved by local building departments.
By TVP Engineering
Do I need a permit to remove a wall?
How to tell if a wall is load-bearing, what the permit office will ask for, and what a stamped package includes — plus the three questions to answer before you call a contractor.
By TVP Engineering
Flush beam vs. dropped beam
The trade-offs between hiding a beam in the ceiling and letting it drop — cost, framing, and when each is possible.
By TVP Engineering
What makes an ADU legal to live in
Zoning, setbacks, egress, and utilities — the checklist that turns a backyard structure into a dwelling.
By TVP Engineering
Reading foundation cracks
Which cracks are cosmetic, which signal movement, and when to bring in an engineer.
By TVP Engineering
What to send us to get a quote
Photos, measurements, and documents that let us price your project accurately on the first pass.
By TVP Engineering
Adapting a stock plan to your lot
Why purchased plans still need site-specific engineering, and what typically changes.
By TVP Engineering
Deck footings: how deep is deep enough?
Frost depth, soil bearing, and ledger connections — the details inspectors check first on a new deck.
By TVP Engineering
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