Skip to content
Porter EngineeringLicensed Utah P.E. · Structural(801) 555-0142

Service Area · Davis County

Structural engineering for Bountiful homes — old and new.

Bountiful has the largest pool of older homes in Davis County. Foundation evaluations, additions, and bowing-wall repairs are routine work for us here.

Population
~45,500
Drive from Syracuse HQ
28 min
Ground snow load
42 psf

Bountiful is the southern anchor of our Davis County service area and one of the most architecturally varied cities in northern Utah. Tree-lined streets full of mid-century homes, an established downtown, and a long ridge of bench properties from Eaglewood up to the foothills. The work we do here reflects that mix: foundation evaluations on older homes, additions and ADU conversions in established neighborhoods, and custom-home structural design for new bench builds.

What we do most in Bountiful

  • Foundation evaluations and bowing-wall assessments on older homes
  • Carbon fiber and steel I-beam basement wall repairs
  • Load-bearing wall removal letters for kitchen and basement remodels
  • Bench-lot retaining walls and tiered systems
  • Custom home structural design for east-bench builds
  • ADU plans for established mid-century homes

Bountiful specifics

  • Two distinct snow load zones. Valley lots use ~38–42 psf; bench lots in Eaglewood and upper Bonneville push 50+ psf at higher elevation.
  • Mid-century construction patterns. Many 1950s–60s Bountiful homes share the same construction style as Roy and Clearfield — thinner basement walls and lighter framing. Same remodel and repair patterns apply.
  • Bench geo-hazard considerations. Some upper-bench lots fall under additional review for slope and geo-hazard, which affects retaining wall design and foundation depth.

A recent Bountiful project

A long basement wall on a 1965 rambler had developed early-stage inward bowing — about 5/8 inch of deflection across the wall, with a clear horizontal crack. We documented the deflection, designed a carbon fiber strap repair at code spacing, and wrote the spec for the contractor. Total engineering scope $850; the repair itself ran about $3,200.

Working with us in Bountiful

28 minutes from our Syracuse office. We typically batch Bountiful and southern Davis County visits on the same day to keep travel efficient, but most projects still come together inside a 1–2 week window.

FAQ

Questions from Bountiful homeowners

Are bench snow loads higher in Bountiful?

Yes. Lots above ~5,000 ft (Eaglewood, upper Bonneville) can hit 50+ psf. Valley lots are closer to 38–42 psf. We design to specific lot elevation.

How common are bowing basement walls in older Bountiful homes?

Common enough that we see them most months. Pre-1980 homes with thinner basement walls and decades of expansive clay pressure are the typical case. Most are repairable with carbon fiber or steel bracing.

Section Next step

Have a project? Let's talk through it.

Send a few sentences about what you're building and we'll come back with a fee, scope, and timeline — usually the same day.

Request a Quote →Call (801) 555-0142

Same-day quote, most projects