Overview
We at Joshua B. Kardon + Co provide structural engineering services for private, public, and commercial clients. Our services include structural engineering consultation, design, and construction review for timber, concrete, steel, and masonry structures. Our projects include new houses, remodels and additions, commercial development, single- and multi-family residences, foundations, vehicular and pedestrian bridges, schools, hospitals, retaining structures, remedial construction, structural renovations, and seismic upgrading of existing buildings. Dr. Kardon serves as expert witness and consultant in litigation and other dispute resolution settings where contractor defects or an engineer's negligence is alleged.

Refer to The Consumer Guide for Professional Engineering Services (pdf) published by the State of California, for a general discussion of the role of the structural engineer. It will help those who have little or no experience in dealing with professional engineers to understand the services available, and the functions and responsibilities of the engineer.

Consultation Services
We provide studies of initial design layouts for the assessment of the structural feasibility of a project. These can be accomplished in a very short time frame and give the architect or client more confidence that the proposed scheme is appropriate for this high seismic region.

We also provide assessments of existing buildings. In almost every case, principal structural engineer Josh Kardon visits the site. From visual observations during this visit, Josh develops a list of possible structural improvements including seismic strengthening. The list of improvements is created with consideration of relative costs versus seismic effectiveness. Joshua B. Kardon + Co can then develop, design, and produce design documents based on the items selected. These documents can be used for cost estimating, permitting, and construction.

Design Services
Early input by the structural engineer in the design of buildings leads to the economic success of a project. In many cases, early structural design input simplifies the overall structure thereby reducing the cost of construction. It also can help to make buildings safer, especially in high seismic regions such as the Bay Area.

We can prepare preliminary documentation to obtain initial cost estimates from the contractor. This helps the client insure that the scope of the project and budget are realistic.

We emphasize the importance of having well-detailed and thorough construction documents. This helps to reduce cost over-runs during construction and helps the builder complete the project as the designers intended. Clear, concise, and well-coordinated structural plans, details, and specifications are critical to the successful completion of any construction project.

Construction Review
Our firm provides construction review services for all our projects. The project contractor is encouraged to contact the structural engineer for any questions or clarifications during the course of construction. Close coordination among the contractor, structural engineer, geotechnical engineer, architect, and client during the applicable phases of construction contributes to a successful finished product.

Expert Witness Services
Dr. Kardon's doctoral studies and dissertation have established his reputation among legal professionals as a leader in the field of understanding the standard of care of structural engineering. He is often asked to serve as expert witness to help settle disputes in legal cases where contractor defects or an engineer's negligence is alleged. Tasks involved in dispute resolution which sometime culminate in testimony in court, include review of drawings, calculation, specifications, and supporting documents, and analysis and destructive testing of existing buildings.

Often as part of the resolution of a dispute, Joshua B. Kardon + Co is asked to produce realistic and feasible repair schemes. These repair schemes are critical in defining damages.

Overview | Consultation Services | Design Services | Construction Review | Expert Witness Services