Structural Drawing Review & Engineer Approval
Permit-Ready Structural Plan Review & PE Approval — Denver & the Colorado Front Range
At Instinct Structural LLC, our licensed Colorado structural engineers provide detailed plan reviews, redline markups, and engineer-stamped approvals for residential and light-commercial projects. Whether you're preparing a custom home, remodel, addition, or small multi-family building, we help you ensure your drawings are accurate, buildable, and fully code-compliant before they go to the city.
Our drawing review services are built for design teams and homeowners who need dependable structural verification, clear documentation, and guidance through the permitting process. Every review is performed by a licensed PE familiar with local Denver and Front Range codes, jurisdictional amendments, and practical field conditions.
What Our Structural Drawing Review Services Include
Our reviews are thorough, detail-focused, and aligned with the unique conditions of Colorado’s building environment. Below is a concise summary of the three core components included in every structural plan review.
1. Code & Compliance Verification
We confirm your drawings align with Colorado-adopted IBC/IRC codes, ASCE 7 design loads, and material standards (ACI 318, AISC, NDS/SDPWS, TMS). Local Denver and Front Range amendments are checked to ensure the plans meet jurisdictional permitting requirements.
2. Structural Accuracy & Load Path Review
We evaluate beams, headers, joists, trusses, foundations, and connections for correct sizing, continuity, and load transfer. We also verify alignment with architectural plans to avoid conflicts during permitting or construction.
3. Peer Review, Redlines & PE Approval
We provide detailed PDF or CAD redlines identifying corrections, clarifications, and missing details. Once revisions are complete, we issue a PE-stamped approval letter or stamped sheets ready for permit submission.
Why Structural Drawing Reviews Matter
Structural drawings are the backbone of a project. If something is unclear or inconsistent, issues often surface later — during permitting, on the jobsite, or in the budget. Our structured review process helps avoid these problems early:
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Reduce permitting delays by catching code discrepancies before submission.
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Lower construction risk by ensuring load paths, spans, and connections are correct.
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Prevent costly field changes resulting from missing or vague details.
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Limit RFIs and resubmittals through coordinated, thorough plan notes.
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Improve clarity for builders so framing and foundation work progresses smoothly.
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Increase confidence for owners knowing an independent structural engineer has verified the plans.
Whether you're working with an architect, drafter, or builder, our reviews create a stronger foundation for the project — both literally and figuratively.
Our Drawing Review Process
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Plan Intake:
Send PDF or CAD drawings through our secure upload form or email. We’ll review the scope, applicable codes, and jurisdictional requirements.
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Preliminary Evaluation:
We perform a first-pass check for framing continuity, load paths, and overall code alignment. Any red flags are flagged early in the process.
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Redline & Recommendations:
We issue detailed digital markups (PDF comments or CAD layers) identifying necessary revisions, clarifications, or load calculations. These markups are clear and traceable so your design team can implement them efficiently.
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Final Approval:
Once all noted items are addressed, we issue a signed and sealed structural approval letter or stamped sheets for submittal to local building departments.
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Permitting Support (Optional):
If your city requires additional responses, our engineers provide quick clarification letters or updated redlines to close out reviewer comments.
What We Look For During Review
Our engineers examine the key aspects of every structural plan, including:
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Beam, header, and lintel sizing for openings.
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Foundation and pier spacing for soil bearing capacity.
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Shear wall and diaphragm layout for lateral stability.
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Roof truss alignment and load transfer points.
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Connection detailing and fastener specifications.
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Plan note coordination for code year, design loads, and material specs.
Each review is performed using engineering judgment informed by SEAC guidelines, local Denver building amendments, and years of experience designing and reviewing residential and light-commercial structures throughout Colorado.
Deliverables You’ll Receive
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Annotated PDF redlines identifying required corrections or clarifications.
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Summary letter outlining major findings and next steps.
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Engineer-stamped approval letter or plan sheets for permitting.
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Optional coordination call with your architect, drafter, or builder.
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Documentation formatted for upload to Denver’s e-Permitting system or other municipal portals.
Who We Work With
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Architects – Independent verification of design concepts for code compliance.
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Contractors & Builders – Clearer plans that reduce errors in the field.
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Homeowners – Peace of mind knowing that your plans are structurally sound.
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Developers – Efficient review for multi-family and light commercial projects.
FAQs
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Can you stamp drawings created by another engineer or designer?
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Yes. We perform peer reviews of structural drawings prepared by others, provided calculations and design criteria are available for verification.
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Will your stamped approval meet city permit requirements?
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Yes. Our licensed engineer stamp is accepted by most Colorado jurisdictions, including Denver, Lakewood, Arvada, Jefferson County, and Boulder County.
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How long does a drawing review take?
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Most residential plan reviews are completed within 3–5 business days, while larger or multi-family projects may require one week depending on scope.
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Do you review both architectural and structural drawings?
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We focus primarily on structural drawings, but coordinate with architects to ensure alignment of bearing walls, framing, and roof systems.
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Can you help address plan-review comments from the city?
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Yes. We offer permitting support services, providing responses, updated markups, or revised letters to close out open reviewer comments quickly.
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Do you provide cost estimates for structural revisions?
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We don’t produce construction estimates, but we can guide you toward qualified contractors or suggest value-engineering options to reduce material costs.
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Related Services
Explore additional structural engineering services we provide across Denver and the Front Range.
Ready for a Fast, Reliable Structural Plan Review?
Our licensed Colorado structural engineers provide clear redlines, practical guidance, and PE-stamped approvals accepted by Denver and Front Range jurisdictions. Whether you’re an architect, homeowner, or builder, we’ll help you move through permitting with confidence.
Contact us today for a free phone consultation.
We’ll review your project, outline next steps, and provide a transparent quote before any work begins.