Ontario Design Studio prepares BCIN-certified permit drawings and coordinates P.Eng-stamped structural engineering for residential and commercial projects across Ontario. When your project removes a load-bearing wall, adds a storey, underpins a foundation, or spans a beam beyond what the Ontario Building Code (OBC) prescriptive tables allow, a licensed structural engineer's calculations and stamp are required. We manage the permit drawings and the engineering together, so your municipal submission is complete, coordinated, and built for first-time approval.
When Structural Engineering Is Required in Ontario
Not every permit needs an engineer's stamp. The Ontario Building Code lets a BCIN designer size many common assemblies using the prescriptive span tables in OBC Part 9. A Professional Engineer (P.Eng) becomes mandatory once your project moves outside those limits. You will typically need stamped structural drawings when:
- Removing a load-bearing wall where the new beam spans more than 4.9 metres or carries the floors above - see our load-bearing wall removal permits
- Underpinning or lowering a foundation to gain legal basement height - see basement underpinning permits
- Building an addition or second-storey that adds load to existing footings and framing
- Designing retaining walls over 1 metre tall, or walls surcharged by a driveway or structure above
- Any Part 3 building - most commercial, industrial, and larger multi-unit residential projects
- New foundations, walkout excavations, or deep footings that require soil-bearing verification
Not sure whether your project triggers a stamp? Send us your scope and we will confirm exactly what the OBC requires before you spend a dollar.
Need structural drawings for your permit?
Ontario Design Studio delivers BCIN-certified drawings with coordinated P.Eng structural design across Ontario and the GTA. Call 416-558-9607 or request your free quote.
What's in Our Structural Drawing Package
Every structural package is prepared to OBC standards and coordinated with your architectural permit set, so the municipal examiner reviews one consistent submission:
- Structural framing plans showing beams, columns, joists, load paths, and bearing points
- Beam and lintel schedule with member sizes, materials, and connection details
- Load calculations - dead, live, and snow loads traced from roof to foundation
- Foundation and footing details sized for the point loads they carry
- Cross-sections showing structural assembly, bearing, and fire-resistance where required
- Temporary shoring plan for safe removal of existing structure during construction
- P.Eng stamp and Schedule 1 wherever the Code requires engineered design
Beam Sizing: LVL vs. Steel
The right beam depends on span, load, available headroom, and budget. Engineered wood (LVL and PSL) beams are cost-effective, easy to install on residential sites, and ideal for moderate spans. Steel (W-sections and flitch beams) carry heavier loads over longer spans with a shallower profile - valuable when you need to preserve ceiling height in a basement or an open-concept main floor. Our engineer sizes the member to the actual load path and specifies bearing, connections, and any point loads that must travel down to new footings.
Common Structural Projects We Handle
- Load-bearing wall removal - open-concept kitchens and main floors
- Basement underpinning and lowering - legal ceiling height for apartments
- Home additions and second-storey additions - new load on existing structure
- Multiplex and fourplex conversions - new openings, floor loads, and separations
- Walkout basements - excavation, retaining walls, and lintels
- Elevated and multi-level decks - beam, post, and footing design
Structural Engineering Costs
Structural fees for a typical residential beam or wall-removal design range from $1,500 to $3,000, with underpinning, additions, and commercial work costing more. This is separate from the municipal permit fee. See our complete 2026 building permit cost guide for a full breakdown by project type.
Cities We Serve for Structural Drawings
We coordinate structural engineering and permit drawings across Ontario, with hands-on experience in:
- Toronto - including Scarborough, Etobicoke, and North York
- Mississauga
- Brampton
- Markham
- Vaughan
- Hamilton
- Oakville
- Burlington
Related Resources
- Load-Bearing Wall Removal Permits
- Basement Underpinning Permits
- Building Permit Drawing Cost Guide
- Our Permit Process, Step by Step
- Permit Rejected? We Can Fix It
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need a P.Eng stamp on structural drawings in Ontario?
A Professional Engineer (P.Eng) stamp is required in Ontario for structural work that falls outside the prescriptive span tables of OBC Part 9 - including load-bearing beams spanning more than 4.9 metres, foundation underpinning, retaining walls over 1 metre, and any Part 3 (commercial or larger) building. Our BCIN designer prepares the permit drawings and coordinates a licensed structural engineer to provide stamped calculations wherever the Code requires them.
How much do structural engineering drawings cost in Ontario?
Structural engineering fees for a typical residential project - such as load-bearing wall removal with beam sizing and load calculations - generally range from $1,500 to $3,000 in Ontario. Foundation underpinning, additions, and multi-unit structural work cost more. This is separate from the municipal permit fee. See our building permit cost guide for a full breakdown.
What is the difference between a BCIN designer and a structural engineer?
A BCIN-certified designer prepares Ontario Building Code Part 9 permit drawings - floor plans, elevations, sections, and details. A Professional Engineer (P.Eng) performs structural analysis and stamps calculations for beams, foundations, and any work beyond Part 9 limits. Most projects need both, and Ontario Design Studio coordinates the drawings and the engineering under one package.