Business Details
21 Years
experience
Trusted Structural Engineering Services in Fort Collins
Crown Jade Design & Engineering is a structural engineering firm dedicated to helping clients achieve energy-efficient, unique, and affordable housing solutions. With over 30 years of combined construction experience and 14 years of professional engineering licensure, our team specializes in producing detailed architectural and structural plans that meet local building codes. We offer comprehensive services including plan development, structural analysis, modular home foundations, and alternative construction methods.Our approach combines hands-on construction knowledge with engineering expertise to deliver cost-effective, buildable designs. We prioritize client education, transparency, and collaboration with contractors to ensure projects succeed from permit acquisition through construction. Our commitment to sustainability drives our focus on resource-efficient materials and designs that reduce energy consumption in residential buildings.
Services
Architectural Plans
Structural Plans
Modular Foundations
Plan Analysis
Roof Inspections
Alternative Construction
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We combine 30+ years of construction experience with 14 years of professional engineering licensure.
- Our team offers integrated architectural and structural plan development under one roof.
- We specialize in alternative construction methods with practical, buildable solutions.
- Our engineers provide cost-effective material recommendations without compromising safety.
- We maintain transparency through client education and construction-phase support.
Associations and certifications
- Passive House Institute US
Services
Produce Architectural Plans
We create customized floor plans and 3D elevations that meet building codes while balancing affordability and design aesthetics. Our team develops comprehensive plan sets including roof layouts, side elevations, and isometric views to visualize final results. With decades of construction experience, we ensure designs remain practical and cost-effective while maintaining energy efficiency and structural integrity for conventional and alternative building systems.
Produce Structural Plans
Our licensed engineers analyze architectural plans to develop framing and foundation specifications that meet safety standards. We optimize material selection for cost-effectiveness while ensuring structural components support required loads. Services include beam sizing, connection detailing, and code compliance verification. Our approach combines engineering principles with practical construction knowledge to deliver reliable, buildable solutions for residential projects of varying complexity.
Modular Home Foundations
We engineer site-specific foundations for modular homes, including solutions for challenging soil conditions like Colorado's swelling clays. Our designs eliminate the need for geotechnical testing in many cases while ensuring proper support. Services include deck and roof addition plans, walkout basement elevations, and permit documentation to streamline the approval process for factory-built home installations.
Analyze and Stamp Existing Plans
Our engineers evaluate structural plans from third parties to identify code violations and provide redline corrections. We offer stamping services for permit approval after verifying compliance with current standards. This includes load calculations, material recommendations, and construction-phase support to resolve field issues while maintaining structural integrity throughout the building process.
Light Commercial Inspections
We conduct comprehensive evaluations of existing buildings for remodeling projects or sale-related concerns. Our inspections identify structural loading conditions and provide written recommendations for repairs or modifications. Services include stamped documentation for permit applications, addressing issues like wall removal, roof upgrades, and solar installation impacts on structural systems.
People
Mark Benjamin
President, Principal Engineer
Licensed engineer with 14 years of professional experience and 30+ years in construction. Specializes in integrating practical building knowledge with structural engineering for efficient residential designs. Holds a Master of Science in Structural Engineering and certifications in passive house consulting.
Dave Benjamin
VP Drafting
Co-founder with extensive hands-on construction experience since teenage years. Leads drafting operations while applying field knowledge to create practical, buildable plan sets. Combines generational carpentry expertise with modern drafting techniques to support client vision realization.
Evan Cheadle
Drafter II
Colorado native with two years of specialized drafting experience. Combines philosophy background with technical training in 3D modeling software. Focuses on creating customized structural solutions that balance client needs with engineering requirements for diverse building methods.
Tara Bargas
Office Manager
Colorado-based administrator with cross-industry experience managing client communications and project coordination. Serves as primary contact for client inquiries while ensuring smooth operational workflows within the engineering and drafting teams.
Questions
Why do I need an engineer for my building project?
Engineers ensure materials are properly sized, connected, and supported to meet modern building standards and safety requirements.
What services does Crown Jade offer?
We provide architectural plans, structural engineering, plan analysis, modular foundations, and alternative construction solutions.
Do I need an architect for residential plans?
Our engineers can create complete permit-ready plans at a lower cost than traditional architects.
How much do full construction plans cost?
Plans start at $3.00–$4.00 per square foot, significantly less than architect fees of $12–$20 per square foot.
Can you work with alternative building materials?
Yes, we have experience with log, timber, straw bale, ICF, SIP, and rammed earth construction methods.
How long are building plans valid?
Plans remain valid indefinitely unless local building codes change, requiring updates for permit approval.
