Design Matters: The Craft of Structural Engineering for Production Residential Homes

In the world of production residential engineering, efficiency, constructability, and affordability are crucial. Brad Mason, project manager in the Structural department at FOCUS Engineering & Surveying, understands this well. His team approaches production homes with a clear perspective. “These designs aren’t one-time custom builds; they are templates for entire neighborhoods. We’re designing homes that will be constructed dozens, even hundreds of times,” Brad explains.

Collaboration from the Ground Up

In production work, timelines are tight. Clients often want the plans as quickly as possible, but speed doesn’t come at the expense of quality. “We push them to collaborate with us a little bit more up front so that we can have a much better product going out the door. We’ve seen this approach lead to more success in the long run with projects,” Brad says. FOCUS helps clients balance immediate needs with long-term efficiency, recognizing that proactive efforts up front help promote smoother execution.

To keep projects on track while adhering to guidelines, FOCUS prioritizes collecting feedback, especially during site visits. “Walking homes with clients and builders gives us more insight,” Brad explains. “We want feedback from everyone, from HVAC to foundation teams to framers, because they’re the ones putting our designs into the ground.” FOCUS values the feedback and critical details that shape plans. “We don’t design a plan just to close the door. We know that this is somewhat of a lifelong endeavor to get these plans as dialed in as possible.”

Creative Solutions

Structural projects vary in complexity, which is why FOCUS offers various civil engineering, land planning, CAD design, and other services. “Clients can come to FOCUS and get their full plan set for permitting. We can provide value and seamless coordination under one roof,” says Brad. When other FOCUS departments aren’t directly involved, the Structural department works closely with all stakeholders to ensure their projects are successful.

One of the biggest challenges is navigating construction delays. Brad emphasizes the importance of strong relationships with all trades to overcome this. A request for information (RFI) can delay work if not addressed quickly. “If an RFI delays framing by even a day, it matters,” notes Brad. FOCUS meets tight timelines by prioritizing responsiveness, always ensuring someone is available to answer questions and keep projects moving.

Hands-on learning has led to improvements across various projects. For example, the Parkway Fields development in Eagle Mountain has helped FOCUS become very well-versed in Eagle Mountain City codes. “We’ve learned the tendencies of city inspectors throughout these projects, and adapted our plans accordingly,” Brad reflects. This approach enables FOCUS to create repeatable, reliable solutions that save time.

“That’s the challenge. How far can we push those limits to help our clients be successful? It’s not about large engineering feats. It is about maximizing creativity within the parameters provided to us,” Brad emphasizes. “Some may assume production is just cookie-cutter, simple homes. To me, yes, there is simplicity there, and that’s kind of the genius of it. It’s about really scrutinizing these plans and making them even simpler, buildable, and economical.”

To partner with FOCUS Engineering & Surveying, contact our team at info@focus-es.com or (801) 352-0075.