[VoodooChile]

Yes, I think he meant it like Stonehenge interpreted it. Risi Stone would be doing the design, which wouldn't be valid in Wisconsin without an engineers stamp.

We are looking into other manufacturers, namely Keystone. They apparently have a free design service, and then the cost would only be getting the engineer's stamp.

[schleng]

In Virginia, Albermarle County zoning now requires any wall over 2 feet (!!!!) to have constructions drawings and a permit from the building department is required.

I just happened to stumble upon this. I submitted drawings for a design I am doing for the Charlottesville SPCA. The design incorporates a 4' high wall. I was told they need construction drawings. I asked why since they were not over 4' high. That's how I found out.
Susan

[Matt Kulp]

Originally posted by VoodooChile
Yes, I think he meant it like Stonehenge interpreted it. Risi Stone would be doing the design, which wouldn't be valid in Wisconsin without an engineers stamp.

We are looking into other manufacturers, namely Keystone. They apparently have a free design service, and then the cost would only be getting the engineer's stamp.

I don't know about the engineers you deal with, but ours would never stamp any design but there own. Why not just contact an engineer and give him the specs of the block of choice and they will design the wall according to the block. Usually a stamped plan in our neck of the woods will be $1500.00. Plus, you are better off having the engineering company make an initial site visit to get field conditions prior to the design. If you don't, all liability will be back on you if something happens down the road. The engineer could state that the site was not what you said it was.

[PSUscaper]

I was under the influence from others that engineering for a wall usually can be figured in the the range of 1 dollar per face foot, so that 3k for the voodoo's wall seems about right for me, at least that would be how I would ball park it from the start.

I know what I charge for a landscape plan, so I don't think it is all that unreasonable for a engineer to be in that price range. Also, what would be included in that price. Are they performing inspections during construction? Sometimes they quote that in the price, or they add it on as a extra, which it really isn't, because it almost has to be done.

[Stonehenge]

Voodoo - another block company to investigate - Versa-Lok. They have engineers on staff that (I believe) will turn around in 24-48 hours specs for your wall, assuming the data you provide is correct. I can't recall whether you can get a stamped plan from them for a fee.

[Mark Oomkes]

Slight hijack here, but still on topic. In a way, it could go into the Homeowner's thread too.

Anyways, I have some retaining walls by my house that are in dire need of rebuild. (good old wolmanized and even RR ties) None that are very high, but one does support a good portion of my 3 season room and is pushing 3'. After reading this thread, you guys got me concerned enough that I should probably have someone take a look at it. So, should I call my local block suppliers and see if they have an engineer that will look at it and help me out with it?

After I get this part figured out, I will take some pics for advice on how to handle it. It is way more than I would even attempt at a customer with my lack of experience, but since it's my house, I really want to do it myself. There's some steps that need to be built as well as a tiered wall that I am thinking would work better.

That, and the labor is cheap.

[spiderlily]

Alrighty then---for the record. You all are right. Keystone and Versa-Lok will do this for around $3000.

But....a few phone calls reveals that a local engineer will design + engineer wall, provide site survey, topo, grading plan, fill out erosion control permit, stamp...in about a week.....$600. Includes inspection. He says "this is pretty small potatoes for us, but we can do it for you."

Ya gotta love it when making phone calls pays more than $1000/hour.

[Matt Kulp]

Wow!!! That is a fantastic price. Our engineer charges us $150 an hour including drive time to inspect, $175 for compaction test, $300 + for soil test and $125 an hour for design and a minimum $500 or $.75 per square foot for a stamp.


Make sure to get a signed contract from the engineer before you move forward. It is great you found a deal like that, In my neck of the woods it would be too good to be true.

Also, make sure that you have them sign YOUR copy of the stamped plan when inspections are done to acknowledge that the installation was correct and inspected by the engineer.

[Raj Venugopal]

Permacon came to Moncton for a show during the winter months. The construction manager gave a talk about how Permacon would help landscape contractors with any engineered wall free of charge.

I wrote to him a few months ago regarding a project I mentioned to him that involved a large geo-celtik retaining wall.....no reply.

So...even though some companies/suppliers say they provide engineered wall solutions, they're slippery to pin down to their commitments.

[agla]

Spiderlily,

When I read your post, it sounds like it could be civil engineering. Are you sure that the engineer is going to give you a structural engineering plan and not just a site plan. I'm only hearing site plan language in there. We get a lot of calls from people who want structural engineering and don't realize there is a difference between civil and structural. They'll use the term "engineered plan".

Be sure he knows you are looking for "structural engineering".

In my area, there are lots of civils and very few structurals.

It is possible that your state does not differentiate between the two.

[Stonehenge]

Strictly speaking, a civil engineer should be able to provide structural engineering.

The ones I knew in college were certainly focused on these kinds of issues in their studies and later in their careers.