Construction & Inspection Services

SOHA Engineers provides a full spectrum of engineering services during construction for projects ranging from ordinary single structures to multi-structure, complex facilities. The firm’s demonstrated ability to guide the construction activities of projects it designs itself, as well as those designed by others, uniquely differentiates it among its peer group of leading structural engineering firms. Services provided by the firm include:

• Construction administration
  
• Building support during construction
  
• Special inspections
  
• Pre-/Post-construction surveys

Construction Administration

A key test of the quality of a structural design is the relative ease or difficulty with which it can be constructed. By utilizing its broad experience with all kinds of construction problems and issues, SOHA Engineers facilitates the construction process by quick reviews of submittals and flexible solution-oriented responses to contractors’ inquiries. This approach leads to direct, measurable benefits for our clients, as their projects are completed on time and within budget.

Building Support During Construction

In structural renovation projects, many engineers leave the details of how to support the remaining elements of an existing structure to the contractor. Because of our experience in building shoring, our engineers are keenly aware of the potential problems during construction in renovating existing structures. SOHA Engineers has worked with nearly all major Bay Area contractors, providing creative, constructable, and cost-effective support solutions for such notable and historic structures as Temple Emanu-El, The Ferry Building, and Stanford University’s Building 120 on the Quad.

Special Inspections

SOHA Engineers is unique among structural engineers in that we offer a wide range of special inspection services. Special inspection, mandated by nearly all codes for critical structural materials and systems, is distinguished from structural observation in that it is specific, detailed, and generally continuous. We focus on inspection of our own design projects, offering our clients the added value of having an engineer present on the job site at critical stages during construction. SOHA has staff members that hold ICBO special inspection and AWS welding inspector certifications.

Pre-/Post-Construction Surveys

Assisting clients during the construction phase by providing pre-construction surveys is another unique service SOHA Engineers offers to project owners and contractors. A photographic and/or video record of existing conditions at adjacent buildings and other improvements can help limit frivolous claims for damage caused by construction operations. Our experience in deep foundation and excavation support design makes our engineers uniquely qualified to evaluate and record pre-existing damage conditions.