Guides to Structural Remodeling Decisions

ECD's guides explain the decisions behind a structural remodel: whether you need an engineer, how bearing walls work, how permits and design-build run, what ADU rules allow, when a second story is feasible, how seismic retrofits protect older houses and how to read a structural drawing. Each is reviewed by our licensed engineer.

DECISION · ENGINEERINGDo I need a structural engineer for my remodel?Which projects legally and practically need an engineer, which do not, and what you get for the fee. STRUCTURELoad-bearing walls explainedHow loads move through a house, how to recognize a bearing wall and what replaces one. PROCESSThe design-build processHow design-build compares with design-bid-build, what each phase delivers and how pricing works. PERMITSPermits for remodels on the EastsideWhich work needs a permit, what reviewers check and how to avoid correction rounds. ADUADU rules in King CountyHow state law and city codes combine to decide what ADU fits on your lot. FEASIBILITYSecond-story addition feasibilityThe five checks that decide whether a house can take a second floor. SEISMICSeismic retrofit for older Seattle homesWhy pre-1980 houses are vulnerable, what a retrofit does and how to decide. DRAWINGSReading a structural drawingSymbols, callouts, schedules and notes on residential structural sheets.

How we write guides

Decisions here, prices on the service pages

Guides explain how something works and how to decide. Prices, scopes and timelines for the work itself are on each service page, and every guide links to the two services and one tool most relevant to it. Facts about codes and city rules link to the primary source so you can check them.

TOOLLoad-Bearing Wall CheckerFive questions that estimate how likely a wall is to carry load. TOOLPermit Cost & Timeline EstimatorFee and review time ranges by city and project type.

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