Licensed Structural Engineer
Design and documentation are prepared under the direct responsibility of a U.S.-licensed structural engineer.
James Davis, PE · Licensed in 39 U.S. states and 5 Canadian jurisdictions
Practical Structural Engineering for Safe, Efficient Construction
JD Building Engineering is the structural engineering practice of James Davis, PE. The firm prepares permit-ready structural design, calculations, PE-stamped drawings, and construction support for residential and light commercial projects in 39 U.S. states and 5 Canadian jurisdictions. Every solution is developed with safety, code compliance, constructability, and project cost in mind.
Complete Design and Calculations
Framing, foundations, connections, and supporting calculations are developed as one coordinated package.
Permit-Ready Documentation
Drawings and calculations are prepared for building-department review, with support for plan-check comments.
Practical, Cost-Conscious Solutions
Details are developed for constructability, efficient material use, and compatibility with the architectural design.
About
Licensed Structural Engineer
James Davis is a licensed structural engineer holding PE registrations in 39 U.S. states and professional engineering licenses in 5 Canadian jurisdictions. He specializes in wood-frame design and practical, cost-effective solutions that complement the architectural vision of each project.
Unlike services that only review drawings prepared by others, James personally manages the structural design, engineering calculations, detailing, and drafting. This provides clients with a complete, coordinated structural package and a clear point of responsibility throughout the project.
His approach emphasizes safety, code compliance, constructability, and efficient material use. By coordinating structural requirements with the architectural design from the beginning, JD Building Engineering helps reduce unnecessary materials, simplify framing, control construction costs, and preserve the intended appearance of the project.
More About James Davis, PEStructural Services
Permit-ready structural design for residential work
Wood-frame homes, additions, ADUs, foundations, decks, and accessory structures — designed for safety, constructability, and efficient use of materials.
Custom Residential Construction
Complete structural design for new custom homes, from foundation through roof, coordinated with architectural plans for a permit-ready package.
Discuss this serviceHome Remodels and Additions
Structural design for wall removals, new openings, room additions, second-story additions, roof modifications, and changes to existing framing systems.
Discuss this serviceADUs and Detached Structures
Coordinated structural plans and calculations for accessory dwelling units, guest houses, workshops, studios, garages, and similar detached buildings.
Discuss this serviceGarages, Decks, and Accessory Buildings
Practical framing and foundation design for garages, decks, porches, patio covers, shops, and other accessory structures that need a clear, buildable structural solution.
Discuss this serviceFoundation Design
Design of slabs, footings, stem walls, raised foundations, pier systems, and other foundation solutions based on building loads and site conditions.
Discuss this serviceRetaining-Wall Design
Engineered retaining walls sized for soil conditions, surcharge, drainage, and adjacent structures so site grades can be retained safely and efficiently.
Discuss this serviceProcess
A clear path from inquiry to construction support
Each project begins with the available information and ends with documentation that can be reviewed, permitted, and built from.
See the Full Process-
Project Review
The available plans, photographs, measurements, site information, and permit requirements are reviewed.
-
Scope and Proposal
The required engineering services, deliverables, fee, and estimated schedule are clearly defined.
-
Structural Design
The framing, foundation, connections, loads, and structural systems are analyzed and developed.
-
Permit Documentation
Coordinated structural drawings and calculations are prepared for permit submission.
-
Review and Construction Support
Plan-check comments, contractor questions, and necessary revisions are addressed within the agreed scope.
Why JD Building Engineering
Direct engineering involvement from design through permit review
JD Building Engineering focuses on solving the structural requirements of each project without introducing unnecessary complexity. The objective is to deliver a safe, code-compliant solution that is straightforward to permit, economical to build, and compatible with the architectural design.
- Direct involvement from a licensed engineer
- Complete structural design and drafting
- Practical and buildable details
- Efficient use of construction materials
- Coordination with architectural plans
- Clear communication and defined deliverables
- Permit and plan-check support
- Solutions tailored to the actual project
Portfolio
Selected structural and site work
Case studies from the drawing archive — wood-frame and concrete residences, hillside retaining, and civil and drainage work. Open a card to review scope, approach, and sheets.
New Residential Construction
2-Story Wood-Framed Residential Structural Design – California
Open floor plans and large glazing reduced available shear wall length, requiring careful lateral system placement while maintaining archite…
Foundations
2-Story Reinforced Concrete Residence Structural Design
The architectural massing combined cantilevered slabs with a steel roof—demanding consistent load paths and diaphragm continuity between c…
Retaining Walls
Hillside Custom Residence Site Civil – Grading & Retaining Walls
Buildable area was constrained by slope and setback lines; uncontrolled cut slopes risked erosion and undermined the proposed garage pad.
Civil and Drainage Projects
200-Lot Residential Subdivision Civil Engineering – Southwest
The tract required coordinated utility corridors across rolling terrain while meeting local detention and street-section standards without i…
Civil and Drainage Projects
Commercial Hotel Site Development & Stormwater – Indiana
Post-development runoff had to meet state criteria on a tight pad with limited detention footprint adjacent to existing municipal storm infr…
Civil and Drainage Projects
Missouri Avenue Civil Construction Plans – Crystal City, MO
Existing utilities and ROW geometry required tight coordination between profile grades and storm structures without conflicting with Missour…
Service Areas
Licensed engineering permits across 44 jurisdictions
James Davis, PE is licensed in 39 U.S. states and 5 Canadian jurisdictions. Open a state page for local building-code context and permit-ready structural drawings.
United States
- AL Alabama
- AK Alaska
- AZ Arizona
- AR Arkansas
- CA California
- CO Colorado
- CT Connecticut
- FL Florida
- GA Georgia
- HI Hawaii
- ID Idaho
- IL Illinois
- IN Indiana
- KS Kansas
- KY Kentucky
- LA Louisiana
- MD Maryland
- MA Massachusetts
- MI Michigan
- MN Minnesota
- MS Mississippi
- MO Missouri
- MT Montana
- NV Nevada
- NJ New Jersey
- NM New Mexico
- NC North Carolina
- ND North Dakota
- OH Ohio
- OK Oklahoma
- OR Oregon
- PA Pennsylvania
- SC South Carolina
- TN Tennessee
- TX Texas
- UT Utah
- VA Virginia
- WA Washington
- WV West Virginia
Questions
Common questions about structural engineering services
Straightforward answers about project types, permit-ready drawings, and how to begin.
JD Building Engineering focuses on residential and light commercial structural work, including new homes, additions, remodels, ADUs, foundations, decks, retaining walls, and accessory structures. Civil and site services may be available depending on location, scope, and licensing.
Many building departments require PE-stamped structural drawings and calculations for new homes, additions, wall removals, ADUs, and foundation or retaining-wall work. JD Building Engineering prepares that permit-ready package so the structural design can be submitted with the architectural set.
Yes. James Davis personally manages the structural design, calculations, detailing, and drafting so clients receive a coordinated permit-ready package rather than a review of drawings prepared by others.
Yes, for qualifying projects in jurisdictions where James Davis, PE is licensed. Remote structural engineering and digital seals are used where the authority having jurisdiction accepts them. Licensing, sealing format, and local AHJ rules are confirmed before work is scoped.
James Davis, PE is licensed in 39 U.S. states and 5 Canadian jurisdictions. Remote structural engineering is available for qualifying projects in those locations. Project availability and sealing requirements are confirmed before work begins.
Send the project location and a brief description of the proposed work through the project review form. JD Building Engineering will review the information and respond regarding scope, availability, and next steps. Drawings and photographs can follow by email.