A Generational Home Starts With a Strong Foundation
Structural engineering isn’t the part of a custom home you see every day, but it’s the part that keeps everything standing for decades to come. In a place like western Wyoming, where steep slopes, snow loads, and shifting soils are part of the building equation, structural planning needs to be as thoughtful as the design itself.
At Unshakeable Custom Homes, structural engineering is built into our process. We don’t treat it as an afterthought or pass it off to a third party without context. Our team evaluates every property, every span, and every support with your design, your timeline, and your long-term peace of mind in mind.
Whether you’re building a modern home in Teton Village or opening up the floor plan of a 1970s cabin in Alpine, we apply structural solutions that make sense for your home and your setting.
What We Do
Support the Frame
Structural engineering focuses on how a home stands. That includes everything from foundation type to framing methods to roof and floor loads. It accounts for the weight of the materials, the weight of the snow, and the way wind moves across a ridgeline. It’s also about how all of that weight transfers safely into the ground.
We look at beam sizing, joist layout, roof trusses, bearing walls, and more. If your home has an open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, oversized windows, or cantilevered decks, the structural requirements become even more important.
Site-Specific Solutions
No two Wyoming building sites are alike. One lot may need deep footings to deal with frost depth. Another may require piers to support a home on a sloped grade. In mountain regions, retaining walls, drainage, and soil reinforcement often play a big role in structural planning. We evaluate slope, soil stability, snow accumulation patterns, and wind exposure. That way, your home isn’t just beautiful—it’s stable and long-lasting.
Why Structural Engineering Matters
Weather, Elevation & Seismic Considerations
Jackson Hole and the surrounding region sit in a zone where structural design needs to meet higher standards. Snow loads can reach up to 100 pounds per square foot in some locations. Wind speeds vary widely between valleys and ridgelines. Some areas even fall under seismic risk categories that require reinforced lateral bracing.
If the structural plan doesn’t account for these factors, the result could be sagging floors, cracking drywall, or worse. That’s why we plan upfront and build with integrity from the inside out.
A good structural plan prevents problems during construction. When load paths are well defined, framing crews can move faster. When joist and beam sizes are coordinated with mechanical runs, HVAC and plumbing systems go in more smoothly.
When there’s clarity in the structural drawings, there’s less chance of miscommunication on site.
That kind of coordination matters when you’re building through a short summer season or on a site with tight access.
Integrated Design + Build Planning
One Team Handles It All
At Unshakeable Custom Homes, structural engineering isn’t passed off to a faceless outside firm. It’s part of our in-house process, integrated with our design and construction teams from the start. That gives us complete visibility into what’s required—and how to make it work without unnecessary complexity or cost. Our structural design process includes framing layout, foundation design, material coordination, and load calculations that match both the site conditions and the vision for the home.
Budget and Schedule Stay on Track
When structural engineering is handled in isolation, changes often come late in the process. That can cause redesigns, material delays, and construction slowdowns. Because we coordinate everything upfront, we catch conflicts early and adjust before they become costly.
This leads to more accurate pricing, fewer change orders, and a smoother path from excavation to final inspection.
Engineering For Renovations
Removing Walls and Adding Space
If you're remodeling an older home, structural engineering plays a key role in opening up space or adding new square footage. We assess existing framing, load-bearing walls, and foundation capacity before proposing changes. That helps us determine what’s possible—and what’s not—before any demolition begins. From simple header replacements to full second-story additions, we approach renovation projects with the same structural care we give to new builds.
Bringing Older Homes Up to Modern Standards
Many homes built decades ago weren’t designed with today’s codes or performance expectations in mind. If your home has settling issues, outdated framing techniques, or visible cracks, we can help identify the cause and recommend a long-term fix. We often reinforce or rebuild framing systems as part of larger renovation projects.
Permitting and Licensing Requirements in Wyoming
Local Approval and Engineer Stamping
In Jackson Hole and most of Teton County, all structural drawings must be stamped by a licensed Wyoming Professional Engineer. Any home over 5,000 square feet requires a sprinkler system unless it qualifies for exemption under specific guidelines. Plans must be submitted digitally and follow strict design and energy code requirements.
In Lincoln County communities like Alpine, Afton, and Star Valley Ranch, permits are required before building or remodeling. Site plans, structural calculations, and stamped drawings must be included with the application. Snow load and seismic zone information is verified based on location and elevation.
Sublette, Fremont, and Sweetwater Counties also require structural drawings to be approved by local building officials. Even small renovations involving framing or load-bearing changes need permits. Failure to pull the correct permits can lead to steep daily fines, stop-work orders, and rework costs. Every structure must comply with the adopted International Residential Code (IRC) standards for Wyoming.
Anyone practicing structural engineering in Wyoming must be licensed by the Wyoming Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors. All stamped structural drawings must come from a licensed PE. At Unshakeable Custom Homes, all of our structural work is reviewed by licensed professionals who are familiar with both local code and practical mountain building.
Where We Work
We Handle Engineering and Home Building Throughout Wyoming
Our structural engineering services support residential construction throughout western Wyoming. In Teton County, we handle builds in Jackson, Wilson, Teton Village, and surrounding areas. In Lincoln County, we serve Alpine, Afton, Star Valley Ranch, and nearby towns. We also work on homes across Sublette, Fremont, and Sweetwater Counties, including Pinedale, Lander, and Rock Springs.
We understand the engineering needs of hillside lots, riverfront parcels, rural ranchland, and in-town neighborhoods. Wherever you're building, we bring experience and grounded planning to the structural design.
You don’t see the structure once the drywall goes up, but you feel the difference when it’s built right. Strong framing creates quiet floors, solid walls, and a home that stays true through the seasons. At Unshakeable Custom Homes, structural engineering is part of how we deliver that kind of experience—stable, smart, and built to last.
If you’re planning a custom home or full-scale renovation in Jackson Hole or anywhere in western Wyoming, reach out to our team. We’d be glad to talk through your ideas and help you build with confidence from the ground up.