Frequently asked questions.
Straight answers on permits, costs, and process. Do not see your question? Ask us directly.
Do I need a geotechnical report for my permit?
In most Bay Area jurisdictions, yes — a geotechnical (soils) report is required for new buildings, additions that add significant load, retaining walls, and nearly all hillside work. We prepare reports formatted for plan check so submittal goes smoothly. If you are unsure, send us your address and scope and we will tell you what your city requires.
How much does a geotechnical investigation cost?
Cost depends on site access, the number and depth of borings, and the lab program. A typical residential investigation and report is a fixed, modest fraction of overall project cost, and we always provide a written fixed-fee proposal before any work begins — no open-ended billing.
How fast can you turn around a report?
We respond to inquiries within 24 hours and send a fixed-fee proposal quickly. After fieldwork, preliminary logs are available within 24 hours and most reports are delivered within one to two weeks, depending on the lab testing required.
What areas do you serve?
We serve the entire San Francisco Bay Area — Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, San Jose, the Peninsula, Marin, and all of Contra Costa and Alameda counties, including the Tri-Valley. See our service areas page for the local geology in each region.
Are you a licensed engineering firm?
Yes. All work is performed under the responsible charge of a licensed California Professional Engineer (CA P.E.), and reports carry a professional stamp accepted by Bay Area building departments.
Do you work with homeowners, or only contractors and developers?
Both. We work directly with homeowners on additions and hillside projects, and with architects, structural engineers, contractors, and developers on commercial and multi-family work. The same licensed engineer stays accountable regardless of project size.
My property is on a hillside — is that a problem?
It is our specialty. Bay Area hillsides bring slope stability, drilled-pier foundations, drainage, and geohazard considerations together, and our combined experience across those disciplines is exactly what those sites need.
What happens after I submit an inquiry?
You send the site location and what you have planned. We review it, confirm scope, and send a fixed-fee proposal within 24 hours. Once you approve, we schedule fieldwork, log and lab-test samples, and deliver a stamped report ready for design and permitting.
Questions about a specific service?
Still have questions?
Tell us about your site and we'll give you a straight answer — and a fixed-fee proposal within 24 hours.