Business Details
50 Years
experience
Trusted Environmental and Geotechnical Engineering Solutions
Budinger & Associates has been a trusted provider of geotechnical and environmental engineering solutions since 1976. Our team of registered engineers, geologists, and certified technicians delivers comprehensive services across the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana. We specialize in geotechnical engineering, environmental assessments, materials testing, and subsurface exploration, supporting clients from initial project planning through completion. Our in-house capabilities include accredited laboratory analysis, exploratory drilling, and special inspection services.With decades of regional experience, we address complex challenges through cost-effective, technologically sound solutions tailored to each project's unique needs. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our timely submittals, adherence to industry standards, and partnerships with clients ranging from municipalities to private developers. Headquartered in Spokane Valley, Washington, we maintain a fleet of advanced equipment and mobile laboratories to ensure responsive service across diverse subsurface conditions.
Services
Environmental Engineering
Geotechnical Construction
Geotechnical Engineering
Materials Testing
Subsurface Exploration
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- We offer 45+ years of regional experience in geotechnical and environmental engineering
- Our team includes registered engineers, geologists, and certified technicians
- We maintain AASHTO-accredited materials testing laboratories with 175+ capabilities
- We provide full-service solutions from subsurface exploration to remediation
- Our mobile laboratories enable on-site testing across the Pacific Northwest
Associations and certifications
- Washington State Department of Transportation
- Idaho Transportation Department
- American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Services
Environmental Engineering
Our environmental engineering services address site assessments, remediation, and regulatory compliance. We conduct Phase I/II environmental site assessments, underground storage tank evaluations, and develop remediation plans to restore contaminated sites. Our team specializes in stormwater management, groundwater studies, and environmental impact statements, helping clients achieve no-further-action determinations from regulatory agencies while ensuring sustainable development practices.
Geotechnical Construction
We provide comprehensive geotechnical construction services including helical pile installation, micropile construction, and ground improvement techniques. Our engineers design and implement soil stabilization systems, retaining walls, and grouting solutions for infrastructure projects. With specialized equipment and experienced crews, we deliver foundation support systems that enhance structural stability and longevity while meeting project-specific engineering requirements.
Materials Testing Laboratory
Our AASHTO-accredited laboratory performs comprehensive materials testing for construction projects. We analyze concrete, soil, asphalt, and masonry samples using over 175 standardized test methods. Our services include compressive strength testing, soil compaction analysis, and asphalt mix design verification. Mobile laboratory capabilities allow on-site testing for quality control of construction materials, ensuring compliance with project specifications and regulatory standards.
Subsurface Exploration
Our subsurface exploration services characterize underground conditions using advanced drilling and geophysical techniques. We employ hollow stem auger drilling, cone penetration testing, and sonic coring methods to assess soil and rock properties. The data collected informs foundation design, slope stability analysis, and groundwater management strategies, providing critical information for infrastructure projects in challenging geological conditions.
Geotechnical Engineering
We offer geotechnical engineering services for foundation design, earthwork planning, and slope stability analysis. Our engineers evaluate soil and rock properties to develop construction criteria for buildings, bridges, and infrastructure projects. Services include seismicity assessments, pavement design, and subsurface drainage solutions. With extensive regional experience, we provide tailored recommendations that optimize construction methods while ensuring structural integrity and regulatory compliance.
People
John Finnegan
CEO, Principal, Senior Geotechnical Engineer, Hydrogeologist
With over 40 years of experience, John leads our geotechnical and hydrogeological projects. He specializes in complex foundation design and groundwater management, holding multiple professional certifications including PE, GE, LG, and LHG designations. His expertise spans infrastructure projects across the Pacific Northwest.
Steve Burchett
President, Principal, Senior Environmental Engineer
Steve oversees environmental engineering operations with 35+ years of experience in hazardous site remediation. As a certified PE, he directs Phase I/II assessments and develops remediation strategies that meet regulatory requirements while minimizing environmental impact for industrial and municipal clients.
Thomas Black
Associate Principal, Construction Services Manager
Thomas manages construction services with expertise in special inspection and quality control. He ensures compliance with building codes for concrete, steel, and masonry projects, leveraging his PE certification and 25 years of field experience to maintain project quality standards.
Rikki Andrews
Project Coordinator
Rikki coordinates project logistics and client communications. With 15 years in construction management, she ensures timely delivery of geotechnical and environmental services while maintaining client relationships and project documentation standards.
Jon Alling
Exploration Technician
Jon performs field drilling and subsurface sampling with 10 years of technical experience. He operates advanced exploration equipment to collect accurate geological data, supporting foundation design and environmental assessment projects across diverse terrain.
Questions
What geographic areas do you serve?
We provide services throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana.
What types of environmental assessments do you perform?
We conduct Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, underground storage tank evaluations, and remediation planning.
Are your laboratory services accredited?
Yes, our laboratory is accredited by AASHTO, WSDOT, ITD, and USACE with over 175 testing capabilities.
What construction materials do you test?
We test concrete, soil, asphalt, masonry, steel, and fireproofing materials using standardized ASTM and AASHTO methods.
How do you handle subsurface exploration in challenging conditions?
We use multiple drilling methods including air rotary overburden systems and direct push technology for difficult formations.
What geotechnical construction services do you offer?
We specialize in helical piles, micropiles, ground improvement, compaction grouting, and soil nail wall systems.
Reviews (1)
Anatoliy Kirillov
Nov 21, 2017
Report
We used to use other geotech engineering company before, but on recent subdivision project came across Budinger and never looked back! Tom was taking care of me throughout the whole project, very professional, responsive, reliable, knowledgeable. Will use again and highly recommend!
