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My project is currently on hold due to some anticipated business troubles. I’m not sure when I will be able to initiate the Civil Engineering Plan phase, but I’ve already contacted a couple of engineers and received quotes. Below is a sample quote, and it seems to be about the same everywhere.

I’ve found that some civil engineers work as online freelancers, offering slightly lower price quotes. However, I’m uncertain about their reliability, especially since the permitting process is quite tedious and highly localized. I decided to hire a local engineer.

The fees for civil engineering services are outrageous, and most companies won’t even consider working with DIY home builders like myself. Despite these high costs, many engineering offices often shut down. I suspect this is because most homebuilding projects are handled by large development companies, making independent owner-builders like me quite rare. Since there are so few owner-builders, engineers must charge high fees to cover their office expenses and income. These exorbitant costs discourage owner-builders, who then settle for big development companies, perpetuating a vicious cycle.

Let’s Not Get Frustrated. Let’s Think Positive

During my time in college, I learned CAD drawing when it was first introduced. As a foreign student with limited English skills, I was placed in drafting classes for four years while in high school. The American education system equipped me with a solid foundation in architectural drawing. I am part of the first PC generation, attending a high school in Kansas that was one of the few to receive the Texas Instrument PC with floppy disks. The American education system provided us with a wealth of knowledge and skills for free, and we, as diligent students, made the most of it.

However, I sometimes question the purpose of all this learning. Despite our hard work, we often find ourselves needing to hire licensed professionals. This can be frustrating, especially when we have the skills and knowledge to handle many tasks ourselves. With my children, I haven’t pushed them to study hard. If they do, it seems they’re either preparing to hire a licensed professional who charges exorbitant fees, or aiming to become one themselves.

I recognize that certain fields, like civil engineering, require licensed professionals due to the complexity and importance of their work. The integrity of a building’s foundation, the behavior of clay soils, and the management of rainwater are all critical aspects that necessitate expert oversight. Proper design is essential to ensure safety and fairness, and to avoid harm to neighboring properties while conserving valuable resources.

Yet, I still question why we’re forced to hire licensed engineers when our excellent education system has taught us to learn independently. We should be allowed to handle part of the process ourselves, saving significant costs. For instance, we could study and prepare half of the work, then hire a licensed engineer to review, coach, and finalize the plans. Their high hourly rates should only reflect the critical aspects of their work, not routine tasks.

A big plot of land behind my lot is currently being developed, and I get to watch the process up close on a daily basis. It is extremely complex and requires the expertise of well-trained engineers. This experience has deepened my appreciation for their work even more. However, I still believe that there should be an opportunity for me to undertake about half of the work to save half of the cost. Watch my video below.

I believe civil engineers should offer consulting, coaching, and document inspection services to enable owner-builders to take on more responsibilities. The monopoly created by mandatory licensed professionals has its advantages but can also discourage individuals from attempting to build their own homes. I’m not against the “stamped plan” system; I simply hope for a more flexible approach that allows owner-builders to significantly participate and save money.

Helpful Videos I watched