Who are we?
Our Services
A new kind of Structural Engineer in Austin!
We are a Structural Engineering firm servicing the greater Austin area. Our primary focus is residential construction and light commercial services. Our passion is engineering and supporting the people in the industry!
It can be intimidating and often frustrating to work with an engineer, but we will change all of that! Engineering is about solutions and getting things done, thinking outside the box and getting creative. That is real engineering! If you have a problem, we will find a solution!
About Us
Chris and Merideth Copeland founded Copeland Engineering in Mar 2016. The company grew rapidly since its inception and now employs over 30 people.
But... we are just normal folks just like you, trying to live in this great wonderful world, wanting a good safe home for our kids, and longing for that morning coffee. We may be an engineering firm but that's not only it... each of us has our own unique personality, desires and passions that we look forward to share in our work and with you. Give us a call. Come on over and check us out in our little corner of Cedar Park, TX. We want to know about you and your project
Our Services
Volume Builder
We understand that price and speed are paramount to the volume industry. We know that you need straight answers. There is a lot of competition out there and other builders are doing things possibly another way. You need to know if they are gaining advantage or doing something unnecessary. You need reliability, hit the due dates or be straight about setting the due dates.
Foundation Plans in the Austin Area: From $225 up to $350, depending on complexity of the builder and the volume
Inspections: $150 for pre-pours and $150 for stressing within our coverage area (Austin, TX)
Master Framing Plans: $750 per elevation and $100 per option
Master Lateral Bracing Plans: $250 per elevation and $100 per option
Custom / Architect
We understand that collaboration and changes happen. We know that working in a flexible environment is necessary. Homeowner involvement and education is part of the process. We know that there are confusing and conflicting answers out there and objective engineering is what you want.
Foundation Design: $500 minimum or $0.25 per square foot. Typical slab on grade.
Framing Design Fees: $500 minimum or $0.50 per square foot.
Lateral Bracing Design Fees: $0.15 per square foot.
Inspection Fees: $150 per inspection within Austin area
- Prices listed are typical. There are design situations that warrant a higher fee. Examples include (but not limited to): hybrid slabs, pier and beam foundation, 3 story structures, and having no architecturals.
- We do require a soils report to understand the soil condition the structure will reside. If you do not have a soils report, we will be happy coordinate with a Geo tech company to provide the service for you.
- Inspection / site visit fees can vary due to distance. Typical fee listed above is per visit and based on Austin area distances.
Remodels and Additions
At this time we are not offering remodel support. We hope to establish a department dedicated to this specialty in the near future.
Hardscaping, Pools, and Beyond...
Pool Design: $1200 minimum, custom proposal necessary for most pools.
Typically we require a soils report to design a swimming pool but we understand that certain site access conditions and budgets don’t allow for this to be an option. We have a solution for that problem:
- $750 existing home foundation survey, bearing capacity check in test pit and geologic map research.
Retaining Wall Design: $500 minimum, would need to review on a case by case basis
- Retaining Walls may require up to 3 inspections... base, mid-height and final. Depends on size. Typical Inspection cost $150/visit for Austin, TX area.
Outdoor living spaces, Amenity Centers, Privacy Walls, Subdivision Entry Signs, Basketball courts, Decorative towers
We can design these. Pricing will be done on a case by case basis.
About Us
Chris Copeland
Christopher S. Copeland, P.E.
CEO
Founding Managing Member
cscopeland@copeland-eng.com
Christopher S. Copeland, P.E. has been in the industry for 20 years and has been involved in the foundation design and evaluation of more than 250,000 homes in the state of Texas. He has worked with volume builders to high-end custom builders and has handled every structural problem you can imagine with homebuilding. He is an expert in post-tensioned foundation design, foundation performance evaluation, framing design, lateral bracing design and retaining walls.
Merideth Copeland
Merideth Copeland
CFO
Founding Managing Member
mlcopeland@copeland-eng.com
Merideth has been in the structural engineering industry since 1994. She worked as the executive assistant to the owner at a major engineering firm as well as handled the financial aspects of the firm prior to taking a break to raise her family. Along with Chris, she started Copeland Engineering in March 2016. Merideth leverages her background and business savvy to handle the business affairs of Copeland Engineering as well as oversees Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and HR.
Aaron Weaver
Aaron Weaver
Vice President of Operations
Managing Member
ajweaver@copeland-eng.com
Aaron Weaver has been involved in the inspection side of the construction industry since 2004. He has inspected thousands of foundations and frames over his career. Aaron is an expert in solving residential construction problems and managing inspection crews. Aaron joined Copeland in 2016 as an owner and leads our Inspection department. Aaron is certified by TREC as a Professional Inspector, the Post Tensioning Institute as a Level One Installer, and the International Code Council as a Residential Combination Inspector.
Ralph Gaston
Ralph Gaston, P.E.
Vice President of Engineering
Managing Member
ragaston@copeland-eng.com
Ralph received his BS Civil Engineering from UT and became a licensed PE in 2014. During Ralph’s career he has become an expert at slab on grade foundation design, gravity and wind design for wood framed structures and CAD programming. Ralph became owner at Copeland Engineering in 2016 and is our technical programming expert. Using his CAD programming skills, he builds programs that solve complicated engineering calculations to be reused by our design staff.
Kelson Treuhardt
Kelson Treuhardt, Engineer
Vice President of Engineering
Managing Member
ketreuhardt@copeland-eng.com
Kelson Truehardt started out as a framing drafter at a major engineering firm in 2005. Since that time, he has designed thousands of residential frames, walls, pools, and various other structures. While there he was known for his desire for learning, taking leadership of projects, and managing the client. Kelson joined Copeland as an owner in 2016 where he leads the framing department and continues to pass on his extensive framing knowledge. Kelson received his BS in Civil Engineering in 2017.