John PerryFinding the best structural engineering in Philadelphia is the smartest first step if you’re planning a massive home renovation or buying an older rowhome.
A solid foundation is everything when dealing with property investments. So, you definitely want someone who understands the local building codes and historic architecture.
Are you also planning to upgrade your exterior with some fresh masonry or lay down an interlocking paver driveway? Even then, making sure the main structure is completely sound takes top priority.
So, I looked into the most reliable engineering teams around the city to help you make the right call for your upcoming project.
How much do structural engineering services cost in Philadelphia?
In Philadelphia, structural engineering services average around $499 per project, with typical structural inspections and designs varying based on the exact scope of work.
| Service Type | Cost Range |
| Average Project Cost | ~$499 |
| Typical Range | $354 to $690 |
| Hourly Rates | $100 to $200 per hour |
| Inspection Costs | $400 to $1,200 |
1. Halo Engineering LLC
Website: https://www.haloengineeringllc.com/
Address: 582 Paoli Ave
Contact: (215) 395-3168
Hours: Monday-Saturday, open 24 hours
Getting straight answers about building stability is easier with Halo Engineering because the process feels personal rather than corporate.
One of the best things here is that the owner is directly involved in each project. This attention helps when you are nervous about a wall removal, a foundation concern, or a follow-up inspection after a home purchase.
I also like that the firm covers facade evaluations, code violation responses, and permit-related support, so it can help with more than one type of city headache.
A neighbor who used them for a tricky load-bearing wall removal liked how carefully the engineer treated the house and explained the risk points.
However, since this is a very small operation, availability may be tighter if you need a rapid turnaround on a large or highly time-sensitive project.
His report was thorough and clear
We had a great experience working with Halo Engineering during the purchase of our first home. We were in a bit of a time crunch to complete a follow-up inspection after our general inspection raised some structural questions, and Lou really came through for us. His report was thorough and clear. Throughout and after the process he was friendly, professional, and very responsive. We would definitely work with Halo Engineering for future structural engineering needs!
- Valerie Shurtleff | Google Review
Went above and beyond to explain the structural intricacies
Lou at Halo Engineering is wonderful! My fiancée and I recently bought an old home in the Philadelphia area and wanted to have some things checked before renovating. Lou walked through the home with us, answering any questions we had, while pointing out things we weren’t even aware of. He went above and beyond to explain the structural intricacies, making sure we understood everything there is to know about our new, old home.
- Hutten Moyer | Google Review
2. Burns Engineering, Inc.
Website: https://www.burns-group.com/expertise/structural/
Address: 2001 Market Street, Suite 600
Contact: (215) 979-7700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Burns Engineering is the kind of firm that makes the most sense when the project is bigger than a simple home fix.
Their background leans heavily toward mission-critical facilities, transportation work, utilities, and other complex structures where coordination and technical depth matter.
Overall, their long industry track record gives them a strong edge for public works, commercial development, and high-performance infrastructure.
I also like that their work emphasizes resilient and sustainable solutions, which matters when a structure needs to hold up for decades.
On the downside, their services are better suited to complicated builds than smaller residential repairs.If you’re a homeowner who only needs a quick beam check or a basic renovation consultation, Burns may feel too large and specialized for the job.
3. Leake Engineering LLC
Website: https://www.leakeengineering.com/
Address: 2001 Market St., Suite 2500
Contact: (484) 276-2299
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Leake Engineering stands out because it brings together structural, civil, and geotechnical work into a single, coordinated setup.
Their breadth of services can be a real advantage for developers or property owners who need site analysis, field inspections, and structural recommendations without having to juggle multiple firms.
Plus, their experience with major disaster recovery after Hurricane Katrina also gives the team a practical lens for resilient design.
I like their background because structural work isn’t just about passing a plan review; it’s also about understanding how buildings respond under stress.
I just wish that they were more responsive on the phone. I wouldn’t rely on them for a rushed real estate decision unless you’ve already confirmed scheduling. For planned commercial or site-heavy work, though, the range of services is useful.
Extremely knowledgeable and thorough
Alex with Leake Engineering was incredible to work with. He answered the phone immediately, was always available for me when I had questions, and was extremely knowledgeable and thorough. He goes above and beyond expectations and does a great job of keeping the client informed and calm as structural issues can be a very scary thing! After working with other businesses for this type of service in the past, I can confidently say working with Alex was my best experience thus far.
- Tory Schroff | Google Review
Extremely thorough during the assessment
We had Alex come out twice already for our home. Both times, he was extremely thorough during the assessment and took his time to explain to us what the issue is and what his recommendations would be. We will continue to use Leake Engineering for future structural issues and assessments.
- Natalie Huynh | Google Review
4. Keast & Hood Structural Engineers
Website: https://keasthood.com/
Address: 1635 Market Street, Suite 1705
Contact: (215) 625-0099
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Keast & Hood is a solid choice when the building to be worked on has a history, age, or complex structural behavior.
The firm specializes in building diagnostics, historic preservation, and structural interventions. They’re especially relevant in a city filled with older properties and masonry-heavy architecture.
What stood out to me is how focused they are on existing buildings. Since 1953, they’ve worked on rehabilitation and preservation challenges, and the original article notes their role in shaping local facade inspection regulations.
That kind of specialized background is reassuring when a structure needs careful diagnosis instead of a quick surface-level answer.
The limitation is that this expertise may be more than some homeowners need. For a simple inspection or basic residential design, their preservation-heavy approach could feel overly specialized.
5. Structure Professionals, LLC
Website: https://structureprofessionals.com/
Address: 925 Canal Street Bristol
Contact: (215) 543-3805
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday, By Appointment Only
Structure Professionals feels like a practical option when you need structural help tied directly to a renovation or code-compliance question.
Their work spans residential and commercial design, which makes them useful for homeowners, contractors, and small developers trying to keep a project moving safely.
A friend hired them to remove a load-bearing wall during a kitchen remodel and appreciated their help with permit preparation.
I also like that their approach focuses on safe, cost-effective engineering solutions tailored to regional building codes, since that’s exactly where many renovation projects get stuck.
Just be aware that they seem to operate with a relatively small staff, so timelines may stretch during busy seasons. It’s best to confirm availability early if your contractor is already working around a tight schedule.
Highly recommend Structural Professionals
Not all structural engineering firms are the same. Structural Professionals was extremely easy to work with and understand. They were very patient with us and our contractor, and we got the sense that their advice was just what was needed for our project. Their name says it all, Structural Professionals, and we had the pleasure of working with Patrick Duffy, who seriously knows what he is talking about!
- Steve D’Agostino | Google Review
Identified some potential structural issues
It was a pleasure working with Patrick. He helped with a home purchase, where the general inspector identified some potential structural issues. His expert opinion confirmed the inspector’s findings, and we’ll communicate with the seller for a resolution, which could have been my financial burden without his report. The process was smooth and Patrick was quite thorough with his work. He delivered the report in about two days despite his recent hand surgery.
- Chen | Google Review
