Hourly Rates, Consultation & Site Visits
Role-based hourly billing at published rates, engineering consultations and second opinions, field visits with written findings — and the most common conditions that adjust a project’s price.
Hourly Billing — Billed by the Role Performed
PEC publishes one standard rate schedule, and time is billed at the rate of the role performed, not the license held. That’s what keeps small projects affordable without discounting the engineering.
On any project, the work spans several functions: professional engineering judgment and review, CAD design, drafting and project administration. Each function is billed at its own classification rate from our published standard billing rate schedule (PEC-ADM-004) — even when the same licensed professional performs all of them, as is common on smaller projects. When the PE is doing drafting, that hour bills at the drafting rate. When the PE is doing engineering review and sealing, that hour bills at the PE rate.
Because deep project familiarity means the engineering review and sealing take fewer hours, a typical small project blends out to an effective all-in rate of roughly $105–$115 per hour — at or below the illustrative blended rate published on our billing-rates page.
| Role performed | Share of hours | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Professional engineering — design decisions, review, sealing | 25% | $184.00 |
| Senior CAD design | 40% | $114.45 |
| Drafting | 20% | $57.75 |
| Project administration | 15% | $50.40 |
| Illustrative blended effective rate | 100% | ≈$111/hour |
Illustrative mix for a typical small project; the actual distribution of roles — and therefore the effective rate — varies with scope and complexity. Work is billed at the individual classification rates published on the standard billing rates page unless an executed proposal states otherwise. Hourly billing is primarily used for additional services, undefined scope, consultation, revisions beyond the original contracted scope, construction support and certain continuing engineering assignments. PEC generally proposes well-defined engineering projects on a lump-sum basis.
Engineering Consultation & Second Opinions
Sometimes you don’t need a full design package — you need an experienced engineer to look at the problem, review the documents or give you a straight answer before you spend real money.
| Service | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Initial engineering consultation | Starting at $500 |
| Document/drawing review | Starting at $750 |
| Second-opinion structural review | $750–$2,000+ |
| Engineering feasibility review | $1,000–$3,000+ |
| Contractor/fabricator engineering support | Hourly or project fee |
| Owner’s Engineer | Custom / hourly |
| Expert technical review | Custom / hourly |
Consultations come with direct access to the PE — you talk to the engineer doing the work, not a gatekeeper.
Engineering Site Visit Pricing
Field visits in and around our normal Southwest Louisiana service area, with written findings or a sealed engineering letter where the scope calls for it.
| Service | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Local basic engineering site visit | $500–$750 |
| Site visit + written findings | $750–$1,500 |
| Site visit + engineering letter | $1,000–$2,000+ |
| Site visit requiring drawings or calculations | Quoted by scope |
| Travel outside PEC’s normal service area | Travel/time reimbursable |
Common Pricing Adjustments
The most common conditions that move a project above its base range — knowing them up front avoids surprises later.
| Condition | Typical Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Rush / priority engineering | Typically +20–30% |
| Significant owner-directed redesign | Hourly or quoted |
| Additional AHJ review cycles | Hourly after included revisions |
| Existing construction with limited documentation | Typically +$750–$2,500+ |
| Unusual soil/foundation conditions | Typically +$750–$2,000+ |
| Large structural openings | Typically +$500–$2,000+ |
| Mezzanine / loft | Typically +$750–$4,000+ |
| Custom structural steel connections | Typically +$500–$2,000+ |
| Specialty equipment loads | Typically +$750–$3,000+ |
| Crane / hoist loads | Typically +$2,000–$6,000+ |
| Coastal/high-wind complexity | Typically +$750–$3,000+ |
| Construction support / RFIs | Hourly |
Need it fast? See how we handle quick-turnaround engineering and what makes our drawings field-ready.
Pricing shown is intended as budgeting guidance. Final pricing depends on project size, complexity, existing documentation, site conditions, permitting requirements and the final engineering scope.
Engineering documents are signed and sealed only after the appropriate engineering evaluation, design and professional review have been completed. PEC does not sell an engineering stamp separately from professional engineering services.
Frequently asked
How does PEC bill hourly work if one engineer does everything?
Have drawings, photos or permit comments already?
Send what you have and we’ll confirm the right scope and price before you commit to anything.
Not Sure Which Category Your Project Fits?
Send us the plans, photos, permit comments or project information you already have. PEC can review the information and determine the appropriate engineering scope before providing a project-specific proposal.
About the pricing on this page
Pricing shown on this page is provided for general budgeting purposes and does not constitute an engineering proposal or offer to provide professional services. Each project is evaluated individually. Final fees depend on project scope, complexity, site conditions, available documentation, jurisdictional requirements and schedule. Engineering documents are signed and sealed only after the appropriate professional engineering analysis, design and review have been completed. Services are performed only in jurisdictions and disciplines where PEC and the responsible professional are properly authorized.