Look, I've been around the block more times than I can count. Engineering costs aren't for the faint of heart. You might start with $500 for a basic inspection, but full residential engineering runs $3k-$10k, easy. Wanna know why? It's not just the PE Stamp—you're paying for experience, for someone who's seen foundation settling in action, not just in textbooks. (Watch out for those unqualified draftsmen!)

Here's the deal: you're looking at a buffet of expertise, from structural engineers like myself, dealing with load calculations and soil reports, to MEP systems specialists. Let's not forget those PAPER-STAMPERS issuing permits. But do they walk the site? Not always. You want someone who gets that Denver's got expansive clay ready to swallow a foundation whole, not just a CAD jockey.

I've seen folks wander into this without a plan. Start with the PE board's website, or ask around—word of mouth ain't dead. (And it's better than online reviews from people who can't read a blueprint.) Make sure they've got local experience, particularly with Denver's zoning variances and seismic requirements. Can't stress that enough.

Look, the best is relative. You want a firm that knows Denver's quirks—sandy loam, high wind loads, the whole shebang. Names? You gotta do your homework. But I'll say this: smaller firms can offer that personalized touch (and aren't bogged down by in-house PAPER-STAMPERS).

Residential's a different beast. You got your local codes, your tiny margins for error. Commercial? Whole other scale. MEP systems, structural loads, the works. Here’s the cold hard truth: residential projects might seem cheaper, but the hidden costs (like soil expansion issues) can sneak up on you. Commercial can get pricey fast, but it's often more straightforward.

Simple jobs? Maybe a couple of weeks if you don't hit a snag. But I've seen projects drag for months, depending on permit offices or zoning variances. (And those PAPER-STAMPERS.) Residential is quicker than commercial, but don't expect a fast track in Denver—weather delays, zoning headaches, you name it.

Here's the truth no one wants to admit: free consultations exist, but they're rare as a junior engineer actually walking a job site. You're better off assuming there's a fee—time's money, after all. And those who do offer 'em? Watch out for the upsell. They might not tell you about the real costs until you're knee-deep in it.