Permit-ready, PE-stamped structural plans for new homes and buildings, designed from the foundation up.
- Foundation
- Framing and roof
From foundation footprint to finished home
- 01Soils and site data
- 02Foundation and framing design
- 03Lateral and snow-load design
- 04Stamped permit set, then the build
Illustrative stock photography, not ISTA project photos. Photos: Scott Blake, Avel Chuklanov, Zac Gudakov on Unsplash.
Every new building starts with the same question: what is holding it up, and will it hold up? New construction structural design is the engineering behind that answer — the foundation, framing, and load calculations that turn a set of architectural drawings into a structure a building department can permit and a crew can actually build. ISTA Engineers prepares complete, PE-stamped structural plans for new construction across Colorado, sized and detailed for the specific site, soil, and design in front of us — not a recycled template.
Our new home structural design service covers the foundation, framing, lateral system and the PE-stamped permit set for homes built from the ground up, engineered for the site, soil and snow conditions of the lot.
Whether the project is a custom home, a small multi-family building, or a small commercial project, ISTA Engineers works alongside the architect, builder, or design team to deliver a coordinated structural package built around the actual loads, soil conditions, and local code requirements the project will be built under.
Why New Home Structural Design Starts With an Empty Lot
New home structural design starts with an empty lot, unlike a remodel, addition, or basement conversion. Those projects tie new work into a structure that already exists. A new build has no existing foundation to evaluate, no framing to match, and no load path to extend. The engineer sizes and details every element from scratch, from the footings to the roof diaphragm. Every load path must be traced correctly the first time.
The scope of new construction engineering differs from a modification project. A structural modification might only verify that one wall can be removed. New home structural design establishes the entire system for a building that does not yet exist. That system includes foundation type and sizing, floor and roof framing, and shear walls or moment frames. Connections then tie everything into one continuous load path.
Colorado building departments almost always require engineered, PE-stamped structural plans before issuing a permit for new construction. Inspectors check the structure again at the foundation and framing inspections. Correct structural design at the plan-review stage keeps a project on schedule. Weak plans stall a project in correction cycles.
What Does a Residential Structural Design Package Include for a New Home?
A complete residential structural design package from ISTA Engineers typically includes the following components:
- Foundation design — footings, foundation walls, and slab-on-grade or structural floor systems sized to the project’s soil report, frost depth, and anticipated loads.
- Framing plans — floor, wall, and roof framing, including beam and header sizing, joist and rafter layouts, and connection details.
- Lateral / shear design — the bracing, shear walls, and continuous load path needed to resist wind and seismic forces.
- Structural load calculations — dead, live, snow, wind, and seismic loads calculated to the code adopted by the local jurisdiction.
- PE-stamped drawings and calculation package — a permit-ready set sealed by a Colorado-licensed Professional Engineer.
- Construction administration (optional) — RFI responses, submittal review, and structural observation during the build.
The package components are developed together, not in isolation. Foundation design depends on the framing loads above it. The framing depends on the lateral system. The lateral system depends on the building layout. A structural package works only as a coordinated whole.
The New Home Structural Design Process, Step by Step
ISTA Engineers approaches new home structural design as a sequence of stages rather than a single deliverable. In general, the process moves through the following stages:
- Soil report and site review. Foundation design starts with the geotechnical report for the site — its bearing capacity, soil classification, and any special recommendations for expansive soils or fill conditions.
- Architectural or conceptual design coordination. Structural design is built around the floor plan, elevations, and roof form provided by the architect or homeowner, so the structure supports the design intent rather than forcing changes to it.
- Load path development. Roof, floor, wind, snow, and seismic loads are traced from the top of the structure down to the foundation, establishing the framing sizes and lateral system needed at every level.
- Foundation and framing plan production. Foundation plans, framing plans, sections, and connection details are drafted and checked against the applicable building code.
- PE stamping and permit submittal support. The completed plan set is sealed by a Colorado-licensed Professional Engineer and issued for permit submittal.
- Plan review response. If the building department returns comments or requests clarification, ISTA Engineers responds directly to keep the permit moving.
- Construction administration (as needed). During the build, our engineers are available for RFIs, submittal review, and site observation to confirm the structure is being built as designed.
The design stage happens before a single footing is poured. Cost-effective structural decisions are easiest to make at this point. Adjusting a foundation type, simplifying a framing layout, or catching an architectural conflict is far cheaper on paper. Once concrete is in the ground, the same changes cost much more.
Which Projects Need Custom Home Structural Design and Foundation Framing?
Custom Homes
ISTA Engineers designs the structure to support the architecture, from a straightforward single-family layout to a complex custom design. Complex designs may include long spans, cantilevers, and large openings. Custom home structural design often balances open floor plans and large window walls against framing and lateral requirements. Those requirements hold the building together.
Small Multi-Family Buildings
Duplexes, triplexes, and small townhome buildings introduce shared walls, fire separation requirements, and load paths that differ from a single-family home. Structural design for these projects accounts for party-wall conditions and shared foundations from the earliest stage. The engineer does not treat each unit as an isolated structure.
Small Commercial Buildings
Retail, office, and other light commercial buildings carry their own occupancy, egress, and structural load requirements. See commercial structural engineering services for how ISTA Engineers approaches commercial new construction.
New-Build ADUs
A detached accessory dwelling unit is new construction on a smaller scale. The ADU has its own foundation, framing, and lateral system, independent of the primary residence. For ADU-specific guidance, see ADU structural engineering.
New home structural design differs from a home addition. New construction designs a complete structure from the foundation up. An addition ties new structure into an existing building and its load path. For projects adding onto an existing home, see Home Addition Design instead.
Colorado Site Conditions That Shape New Home Structural Design
New home structural design in Colorado must reflect the specific site, because conditions vary from block to block and city to city. Several considerations regularly shape residential structural plans across the state:
- Expansive clay soils. Much of the Denver metro area sits on expansive clay, which requires specific foundation detailing — such as post-tension slabs, structural floors, or void space below grade beams — to protect the building from soil movement.
- Frost depth. Footing depths are set to extend below the frost line for the jurisdiction, which varies with elevation and location across the state.
- Ground snow loads. Snow loads on the Front Range are meaningfully different from loads in Colorado’s mountain communities, and roof framing has to be sized for the specific load at the building site.
- Wind exposure. Open terrain, ridgelines, and high-elevation sites can increase wind loading on the lateral system compared to a sheltered urban lot.
- Seismic design. Seismic demand in Colorado is typically moderate, but it still has to be accounted for in the lateral system and connection design.
- Local amendments to the adopted code. Jurisdictions across the Denver metro area and mountain communities can adopt different versions of the building code or apply local amendments, which affects design values and submittal requirements.
ISTA Engineers builds each new home structural design around the soil report, the snow and wind data, and the code requirements of the project’s jurisdiction. The firm does not apply a one-size-fits-all design.
Why Choose ISTA Engineers for Custom Home Structural Design
- Colorado-licensed Professional Engineers who seal every plan set, licensed in approximately 18 states.
- Certified WBENC, WOSB, MWBE, and DBE — a women-owned, minority-owned firm.
- Permit-focused plans designed to clear review with fewer corrections.
- Coordinated delivery with the architect, builder, or design team from concept through construction.
- Site-specific engineering that accounts for Colorado’s soil, snow, wind, and seismic conditions rather than a generic design.
New Construction Structural Design FAQ
Do I need a structural engineer for new construction?
A new construction project needs a structural engineer in virtually every Colorado jurisdiction. Building permits require engineered, PE-stamped foundation and structural plans. Structural engineers prepare these documents so the building department can review the design and approve the permit.
What’s included in a new construction structural design package?
A new construction structural design package includes foundation design, framing plans, lateral wind and seismic design, and load calculations. The package also contains a PE-stamped drawing set. ISTA Engineers prepares that set for permit submittal.
How is new construction design different from an addition?
New construction design differs from an addition in scope. New construction designs a complete structure from the foundation up. An addition ties new structure into an existing building, which adds compatibility and load-path considerations for the engineer.
Do you design for custom homes and small commercial buildings?
ISTA Engineers designs structural plans for custom homes and small commercial buildings. The firm also serves small multi-family buildings and ADUs. These projects are located across Colorado, and each receives a design matched to its use and site.
How much does structural design for new construction cost?
Structural design for new construction costs different amounts depending on project size and complexity. For most residential new construction, structural design typically runs 1 to 3 percent of total project cost. The final fee depends on the scope of the project.
Which areas do you serve?
ISTA Engineers serves the Denver metro area and Colorado’s mountain communities from its Denver base. The firm’s Professional Engineers are licensed in approximately 18 states. Clients outside Colorado can ask the firm about project locations.
How long does a new construction structural design package take to complete?
A new construction structural design package takes a time that depends on project size and complexity. The schedule also depends on how quickly the soil report and architectural plans become available. ISTA Engineers provides a project-specific schedule once the scope and site conditions are known.
Can ISTA Engineers work directly with my architect or builder?
ISTA Engineers can work directly with your architect or builder. Coordination with the design team is typically the most efficient approach. The engineers stay in contact from initial layout through permit submittal and construction.
Do you provide structural observation during construction of a new building?
ISTA Engineers provides structural observation during construction of a new building. Construction administration is available as part of a new construction engagement. It includes RFI responses, submittal review, and structural observation on site.
Start Your New Home Structural Design Project
ISTA Engineers invites you to describe the new building you are planning. The team will outline what your new construction structural design package includes. Request a consultation or call (720) 740-4060.