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Top 10 Structural Engineering Firms in Tampa Bay

  • Aug 9
  • 7 min read

Tampa Bay has a wide mix of properties and construction projects. You have older homes in neighborhoods like Hyde Park and Seminole Heights, concrete block houses from the mid-century, new multifamily developments, commercial buildings, and properties along the waterfront.


That variety matters when you're choosing a structural engineer. The firm that makes sense for a foundation repair isn't necessarily the same one you'd hire for a new multifamily building or a commercial renovation.


We looked at structural engineering firms serving the Tampa Bay area and compared them based on the types of projects they handle, the services they offer, their local presence, and the kinds of clients they appear best suited for.


There isn't one firm that's the right choice for every project. The goal of this list is to give you a better idea of what each company does well so you can narrow down your options.


Construction workers in hard hats and neon vests review plans and point at a site under scaffolding, with a tablet and survey rod.

10 RDI Structural Engineering

A St. Petersburg firm offering design, restoration, and inspections


RDI Structural Engineering has been based in St. Petersburg since 2012. The firm provides structural design, restoration, and inspection services for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and public projects.


One of the things that makes RDI worth considering is the range of work it handles. The company works on both new construction and existing structures, so it can be a useful option when you're trying to determine whether a project needs a new structural design, repairs, or an evaluation first.


Its local, smaller-scale approach may be a better fit for individual properties and mid-size projects than for very large developments.


A good fit for: residential, renovation, restoration, and mid-size commercial projects.


9 Advanced Engineering Consultants

Multiple engineering disciplines under one roof


Advanced Engineering Consultants is based in Tampa and also has an office in Melbourne. The firm provides civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering, as well as fire protection design.


That combination can be useful when a project requires several engineering disciplines at the same time. Instead of coordinating separate firms for structural, MEP, and civil work, a client can work with one engineering company across those areas.


The firm serves projects throughout Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Wesley Chapel, Bradenton, and the surrounding Tampa Bay region.


A good fit for: commercial projects and smaller developments that require several engineering disciplines.


8 Foundation Masters

Engineering and foundation repair in the same company


Foundation Masters, with locations in Tampa and Apollo Beach, combines structural, civil, and geotechnical engineering with foundation repair and forensic evaluation.


The company works with residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal clients throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, and the wider Tampa Bay area.


This combination is particularly useful when the engineering problem is connected to an existing foundation. The company also works with systems such as helical piers, push piers, underpinning, drainage, and waterproofing.


For a homeowner dealing with settlement, cracking, or water intrusion, having the evaluation and repair work connected can make the process more straightforward.


A good fit for: foundation problems, structural evaluations, and repair projects.


7 Level Engineering & Architecture

Structural engineering and architecture together


Level Engineering & Architecture opened its Tampa office in 2023 under managing engineer Grant Escobar, P.E.


The firm combines architectural design and structural engineering with forensic engineering, milestone inspections, structural repairs, and renovations. It works with both residential and commercial properties in Tampa Bay communities including Apollo Beach, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, and South Tampa.


The biggest advantage here is the combination of architecture and structural engineering. For a renovation or addition, having those disciplines working together can make coordination easier than hiring two completely separate firms.


Level also handles Florida's required milestone inspections for certain older condominium and commercial buildings.


A good fit for: renovations, additions, inspections, and projects that need both architecture and structural engineering.


6 Duran Structural

A Tampa structural engineering firm with experience in coastal and historic projects


Duran Structural is a Tampa-based firm led by Judian Duran, PE. The company is licensed in Florida as well as North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.

Its services include structural design for new construction, renovations, historic restoration, coastal projects, healthcare and institutional buildings, and forensic investigations. The firm works with wood, concrete, masonry, and steel structures.


Duran's smaller, boutique approach may appeal to property owners who want direct involvement from a licensed professional throughout the project.

Its experience with coastal construction and historic buildings is also worth noting for Tampa Bay properties where existing conditions, wind loads, or preservation requirements can complicate a project.


A good fit for: coastal properties, historic renovations, new construction, and forensic evaluations.


5 Beryl Project Engineering

Structural engineering combined with home inspection services


Beryl Project Engineering, also known as Beryl Engineering & Inspection, has operated in Tampa since 2012.

The company combines home inspection and structural engineering services, including structural evaluations, new construction design plans, 203k consulting, wind mitigation inspections, and thermal imaging.


That combination makes Beryl particularly relevant to homeowners, buyers, and sellers who need a structural opinion as part of a property purchase or renovation.

It may not be the obvious choice for a large commercial or multifamily development, but for a homeowner trying to understand the condition of a property before making a major investment, its inspection and engineering services can be useful.


A good fit for: home buyers, sellers, homeowners, and smaller renovation projects.


4 Snell Engineering Consultants

Experience across commercial, institutional, and residential projects


Snell Engineering Consultants is based in Sarasota and serves Southwest and Central Florida, including projects in and around the Tampa Bay region.

The firm provides structural design, threshold inspections, peer review, restoration, and BIM services. Its project experience includes commercial, educational, hospitality, medical, senior living, religious, and residential buildings.


Its portfolio includes larger and more technically complex projects such as fire stations and university buildings, in addition to commercial and residential work.

Because the company is based south of Tampa Bay, it may make the most sense for projects in the Sarasota-Bradenton area and southern parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas.


A good fit for: larger commercial, institutional, and technically complex projects.


3 Biller Reinhart Engineering Group

An established firm with offices throughout Tampa Bay


Biller Reinhart Engineering Group was founded in 2001 by structural engineers Michael Biller and Robert Reinhart. Today, the firm has offices in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Fort Lauderdale.


Its work covers structural engineering and building sciences, including new construction, restoration, renovation, roof consulting, building envelope evaluations, and threshold inspections.


The firm works across a broad range of sectors, including commercial, healthcare, hospitality, industrial, multifamily residential, parking structures, and public projects. Its website also identifies clients such as the City of Tampa and the University of South Florida.


That combination of experience and project variety makes Biller Reinhart a strong option for larger developments and projects involving existing commercial or institutional buildings.


A good fit for: commercial, multifamily, institutional, and restoration projects.


2 Belt Engineering

Structural and civil engineering for a wide range of project types


Belt Engineering has offices in Tampa and Orlando and provides both structural and civil engineering services.


Its services include structural design, permitting and inspection support, threshold inspections, restoration and renovation, forensic engineering, expert witness services, and specialty structural engineering.


The company's project experience covers a surprisingly broad range of properties, including commercial buildings, healthcare facilities, hospitality projects, industrial buildings, municipal projects, military facilities, parking structures, theme parks, marine structures, and single- and multifamily residential projects.


That range can be helpful for developers and contractors who work on different types of properties and want to maintain a relationship with the same engineering firm across projects.


A good fit for: developers, contractors, and clients working across multiple project types.


1 HB Design & Engineering


A strong option for projects that need architecture, structural, and MEP coordination


HB Design & Engineering takes a somewhat different approach from firms that focus exclusively on structural engineering.


The company combines architectural design with structural and MEP engineering coordination. According to HBDE, its structural and MEP documentation is prepared, signed, and sealed by independent Florida-licensed Professional Engineers in accordance with Florida requirements.


This integrated approach can be useful when a project involves several disciplines at once. Instead of managing an architect, structural engineer, and MEP consultant separately, the different parts of the project can be coordinated through one team.

HBDE works on residential, multifamily, and commercial projects throughout Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and the surrounding Tampa Bay area.


The firm stands out on this list mainly because of that coordinated model. Several of the other companies listed here have deeper specialization in structural engineering itself, but HBDE can be a practical choice when architecture, structural engineering, MEP, and permitting all need to work together.


A good fit for: residential, multifamily, and commercial projects that require multiple design and engineering disciplines.


How to Choose a Structural Engineering Firm in Tampa Bay

The largest firm isn't necessarily the right one for your project. Before hiring a structural engineer, look at the type of work the company does most often and whether it matches what you're building or repairing.


Look for relevant project experience

Ask to see examples that are similar to your project. A firm that mainly works on single-family renovations may not be the best fit for a five-story multifamily building, while a large commercial engineering firm may be more than you need for a residential structural repair.


Ask about local permitting experience

Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and other municipalities have their own permitting processes and requirements. Florida's wind and flood regulations can also become important depending on the property's location.

A firm that already knows the local building department and has worked on similar projects can make the permitting process easier.


Understand how the team is organized

If your project needs architecture, structural engineering, and MEP design, ask how those disciplines will communicate with each other.

Some companies provide several services internally. Others work with outside consultants. Neither approach is automatically better, but it's worth knowing who will actually be responsible for coordinating your project.


Verify professional licenses

Before hiring an engineering firm, verify that the engineers responsible for your project hold active Florida Professional Engineer licenses.

The Florida Board of Professional Engineers' public license search is a better source for this than relying only on a license number displayed on a company's website.


Compare what is included in the quote

Don't compare prices based only on the final number. Ask what the fee includes.

Depending on the project, that may include structural calculations, drawings, site visits, revisions, permitting support, and responses to plan-review comments. Knowing this upfront can help avoid unexpected costs later.


Final Thoughts

The firms on this list don't all do the same kind of work, and that's actually useful when you're choosing between them.

Some are particularly well suited to foundation problems and forensic evaluations.


Others focus on larger commercial, institutional, or multifamily projects. Some combine structural engineering with architecture or home inspections.

The best choice depends on what you're actually building, repairing, or evaluating.


For a straightforward residential repair, a smaller structural specialist may be the simplest option. For a new commercial or multifamily project, a firm with experience in larger developments may be a better fit. And when architecture, structural engineering, MEP, and permitting all need to move together, an integrated firm such as HB Design & Engineering may make the coordination easier.


Take the time to compare firms based on relevant experience, licensing, communication, and what is included in their proposal not just the price.

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