Pricing &
How We Work
Third Rock Engineering works with homeowners, contractors, and architects across MetroWest Boston.
Every project starts with a phone call and ends with stamped drawings your building department can act on.
In between, you know what you’re paying, what you’re getting, and who’s doing the work. A licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) handles every project directly.
Free Initial Consultation
A short phone call to discuss your project. No cost, no obligation.
One hourly rate. No separate line items. No surprises.
One-hour site visit, paid in advance.
Our Rates
$195/hour: one rate that covers engineering, drafting, and travel. No separate line items, no surprise add-ons.
$295 flat fee: this is for the initial one-hour on-site consultation, paid in advance.
Every property has different framing, different soil, and different permitting expectations. Publishing a flat price list for structural work would mislead you.
After the consultation, we put together a written proposal with estimated hours, a defined scope, and a timeline before any project work starts.
What the $295 Consultation Covers
Project Conversation
We start with your goals, timeline, and concerns so that the evaluation focuses on what actually matters.
On-Site Evaluation
We review existing framing, foundations, structural elements, and site conditions, including what may need further investigation beyond what's visible.
Engineering Insight
You get direct, experience-based guidance on feasibility, structural considerations, and recommended solutions. No vague takeaways.
Defined Next Steps
If engineering documents are needed, we outline exactly what those are: stamped drawings, structural calculations, engineer letters, or written recommendations.
How a Project Works, Start to Finish
Free Initial Call
Call 617-507-9776 or fill out the request form. We respond within one business day. Send photos or existing plans if you have them.
On-Site Consultation
We’ll schedule a date and time and spend one hour on-site reviewing your structure. You walk away with real direction, not a vague follow-up email.
Written Proposal & Agreement
If your project needs engineering documents, we outline scope, deliverables, estimated hours, and timeline in a written Engineering Services Agreement. Work begins once it’s signed.
Engineering & Deliverables
P.E.-stamped drawings, structural calculations, and reports built to your specific town’s submission requirements. Permit-ready from the first pass.
Permitting Support
Building department comments are a normal part of any permitted project. We review them, respond, and revise as part of the engagement, with scope and fees defined upfront in the Engineering Services Agreement.
From structural questions to stamped drawings, we can help.
Work directly with a licensed Massachusetts engineer who understands site conditions, permitting, and constructability.
What Affects the Cost of Your Project
Design Complexity
A beam calculation is not the same as a full foundation design. More complex structural systems require more engineering hours.
Permitting Requirements
Every town’s building department in Massachusetts has its own submission formats and expectations. What’s routine in one town may need extra documentation in the next.
Existing Conditions
Older homes and unfamiliar site conditions take more time to evaluate properly. What’s visible on day one isn’t always the full picture.
Coordination Needs
Projects that involve multiple parties, whether that’s a homeowner, architect, or contractor, require additional review and communication. More people involved means more coordination.
Project Schedule
Compressed timelines affect how work is sequenced. Short-notice and fast-track projects may require additional coordination effort.
What You Get With Every Engagement
- Direct access to the founder of Third Rock Engineering, not junior staff, not a project manager
- 20+ years of structural and civil engineering experience
- P.E.-stamped, permit-ready drawings built to local requirements
- Written Engineering Services Agreement on every project
- Building department comment support included, not billed separately
- Professional liability (E&O) insurance
Payment Terms
Check, ACH, Credit / Debit cards, Cash App, Direct Debit, and Found to Found are accepted. A deposit may be required to begin work, with the remaining balance due before delivery of stamped drawings or reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't you list prices for specific services?
Because two projects that look identical on paper rarely are. Structural systems, permitting requirements, existing conditions, and coordination needs all affect the hours required. The written proposal following your consultation provides an accurate number.
How long does a typical project take?
Most residential projects wrap up within two to three weeks. Larger or more complex scopes may take longer depending on coordination and review timelines. The timeline is included in your proposal.
What protects me as a client?
Every project is covered by a written Engineering Services Agreement that defines scope, deliverables, fees, and timelines. Nothing is left to interpretation. You know what you’re getting, what it costs, and when it’s delivered before any work begins. The agreement protects both sides and keeps the project on track.
