Maya RichardsonWhether you’re a homeowner planning a major renovation or a developer breaking ground on a commercial site, you need someone reliable who can assess and certify structural frameworks before moving forward.
I looked into the local market to help narrow down the best structural engineering services in Columbus.
This guide focuses on firms with strong technical knowledge, clear diagnostic work, and practical experience across residential and commercial projects.
How much does structural engineering cost in Columbus?
Structural engineering services in Columbus average around $334, with most hourly rates falling between $90 and $120. Specific project costs vary by scope.
| Service Type | Estimated Cost |
| Typical Homeowner Projects | $273 – $449 |
| Hourly Consultation Rates | $90 – $120 |
| Site Visits and Inspections | $400 – $1,200 |
| Beam Sizing and Wall Removal Design | $300 – $800 |
| Residential Foundation Design | $2,000 – $8,500 |
| Residential Design and Drawings | $500 – $3,000 |
1. Allison Structural Group
Website: https://allisonstructural.com/
Address: 924 W Broad St.
Contact: (614) 778-7662 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Friday, Appointment only
When a build involves serious structural decisions, having the principal engineer directly involved can make the whole process feel steadier.
Allison Structural Group is built around that idea. Clients can communicate directly with Guy Allison, Professional Engineer (PE), rather than having every technical question filtered through several layers.
That kind of access is useful for public works, private development, and smaller projects where details matter.
The firm blends engineering, architecture, and construction knowledge, which helps its designs feel practical instead of purely theoretical.
The local code knowledge is another plus, especially if you’re trying to avoid back-and-forth during permitting.
The catch is convenience. They operate by weekday appointment only, so urgent walk-in concerns aren’t really an option. The lack of weekend availability can also be tough for homeowners working a standard schedule.
Customer Reviews
Went above and beyond
Mr. Allison was not only incredibly nice, but he also went above and beyond to get what I needed done in a timely fashion. I can’t thank him enough! If you are looking for a qualified engineer who does a wonderful job, he is definitely the person to go to!
- Kae Smith | Google Reviews
2. Criterium Liszkay Engineers
Website: https://criterium-liszkay.com/
Address: 1075 Beecher Crossing N Suite D, Gahanna
Contact: (614) 418-7200 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Tuesday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Pre-purchase structural inspections can feel stressful, especially when a repair estimate already sounds suspicious.
Criterium Liszkay Engineers stands out because they exclusively use licensed Professional Engineers for those evaluations. That gives buyers, investors, and property owners a stronger technical basis than a standard visual home inspection.
The firm has been operating since 1970, a long track record that pairs well with their internal database of regional structural issues. They’re especially useful when older foundations, framing concerns, or commercial due diligence questions come up.
Their property condition assessments go beyond the basics, which can be helpful if you’re comparing long-term maintenance risks with property management companies in Columbus.
The downside is scheduling. They don’t offer weekend appointments and, during that time, are unable to handle tight contingency periods. Their focus also leans more toward diagnostics than post-construction repair oversight.
Customer Reviews
Addressed the root issue
Wonderful experience! We had an estimate for basement repair from one of the heavily marketed foundation companies with strong sales tactics that seemed off. Our engineer from Criterium Liszkay came out and evaluated it, and the original assessment was completely wrong and not based on good structural engineering. The fixes we put in place based on Criterium Liszkay were less than half the cost and addressed the root issue. Highly recommend.
- Gregg Oosterbaan | Google Reviews
Detailed, organized, and easy to understand report
Criterium did a great job on my inspection, with prompt response to my request for their services. The report was extremely detailed, documented with pictures, and easy-to-understand, well-organized sections on each sector of the house. They made it easy to make a decision on the purchase, and they provided me with a plan for home improvement and maintenance moving forward. Knowing that only structural engineers were involved in the inspection brought a trust factor into the process that is invaluable.
- Rob Bulas | Google Reviews
3. ProCheck Engineering Inc.
Website: https://procheckeng.com/
Address: 2235 S. James Road Suite A
Contact: (614) 841-0217 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
ProCheck Engineering Inc. is a good fit when you want more than a quick look at a foundation. The firm assesses structural integrity along with major mechanical and exterior building systems, so the visit can feel more complete.
They also have same-day digital reports, which are especially helpful if you’re making decisions under a real estate deadline.
I appreciate their three-decade local presence. Columbus properties can come with soil, drainage, and older construction quirks, so having local context matters.
Another advantage is objectivity. Because ProCheck doesn’t perform repair work, their recommendations are less likely to feel like a sales pitch.
The limitation is that the standard evaluation covers visible areas only. Problems hidden behind finished walls may need separate invasive testing. Their weekday-only schedule can also make things harder for buyers who need weekend walkthroughs.
Customer Reviews
Great advice and recommendations
Great investment! We completed our inspection with structural engineer Mr. Alan Gibson. The walkthrough was very detailed, reflected in the full report, and he offered great pieces of advice and welcomed questions. His team, Mrs. Jalin and subcontractors, are also very professional, thorough, and easy to communicate with. Specifically, we were very grateful for the recommendations to preserve the structural integrity of a 1950s foundation with a new build on top. Thank you ProCheck!
- Kacie Brown | Google Reviews
Thorough and detailed structural engineering report
ProCheck Engineering did a great job for us. We were able to easily schedule an appointment, and the engineer came out and was very thorough in looking at our property. We shortly thereafter received a detailed report. I would use them again for any structural engineering needs.
- Cbrady77 | Google Reviews
4. Schaefer
Website: https://schaefer-inc.com/
Address: 235 North 4th Street, Suite 300
Contact: (614) 428 4400 | 800.542.3302
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Schaefer is the kind of firm I would consider for a more complex build where standard structural design isn’t enough.
Their experience includes specialized services like blast-resistant engineering and embodied carbon calculations, which are not something every local firm offers.
They also work directly with property owners and builders, not just architects, so the process can feel more accessible for certain projects.
I was especially interested in their use of computer-aided design (CAD) tools to optimize material choices early in the process. That can help keep decisions practical before construction costs start locking in.
For heavy-duty projects, pairing their structural guidance with reliable heavy equipment rentals in Columbus can make the execution smoother.
The tradeoff is scope. If you need a whole-building life cycle assessment, Schaefer requires an outside architect to lead the materials scope instead of handling that piece alone.
5. SMBH, Inc.
Website: https://smbhinc.com/
Address: 1166 Dublin Rd, Suite 200
Contact: (614) 481-9800 | [email protected]
Hours: Contact for availability
SMBH, Inc. makes sense for clients who want a larger structural engineering firm with broad licensing and a long history.
The company promotes design licensing across all fifty states, along with the ability to engineer a wide variety of physical structures. That kind of reach can be reassuring when a project has unusual requirements or multiple locations involved.
I also like that their forensic work covers structural failures in finished buildings and active construction sites. That gives them value beyond new design, especially when something goes wrong mid-project, and the cause isn’t obvious.
The drawback is that a large operational footprint can make smaller local clients feel like they’re competing with national accounts. Their flexible employee scheduling may also create minor communication gaps if a key engineer is unavailable during a critical stage.
