Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Expert Structural Engineering Services in Natick, MA
Established in 1973, Cowen Assoc Consulting Structural Engineers has built a reputation for delivering trustworthy and innovative structural engineering solutions. Our firm specializes in structural design, forensic engineering, and renovation projects for commercial, residential, and institutional buildings. With over 40 years of experience, we serve clients across New England and 17 licensed states, combining advanced software tools with expertise in wood, steel, and concrete systems.Our team holds certifications and licenses in multiple jurisdictions, ensuring compliance with the highest industry standards. We pride ourselves on long-term client relationships, personalized service, and a commitment to constructability, efficiency, and economy in every project.
Services
Structural Design
Forensic Engineering
Monumental Stairs
Real Estate Reports
Renovation/Restoration
Podium Buildings
Historic Structures
Collapse Investigations
Commercial Buildings
Residential Projects
Details
- Year established: 1973
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of structural engineering experience.
- Licensed in 17 states for nationwide project flexibility.
- Specialize in monumental stairs and forensic investigations.
- Utilize advanced software for precise structural analysis.
- Focus on cost-effective solutions for all project sizes.
Associations and certifications
- S.E.C. Board Certified
Services
Structural Design
Our structural design services cover new construction and renovations for commercial, residential, and institutional buildings. We specialize in wood, steel, and concrete systems, ensuring compliance with local and national codes. Our team delivers efficient, code-compliant solutions tailored to client needs.
Forensic Engineering
We investigate structural failures, collapses, and defects to determine root causes. Our forensic analysis includes slip-and-fall cases, load capacity studies, and condition assessments. Clients receive detailed reports with actionable repair recommendations backed by 40+ years of field experience.
Monumental Stairs
Specializing in complex stair design, we create structurally sound and aesthetically striking solutions. Our proprietary software enables precise analysis of helical and curved staircases. This niche expertise addresses both functional requirements and architectural vision.
Real Estate Reports
We provide comprehensive structural assessments for real estate transactions. These reports evaluate building integrity, identify repair needs, and estimate lifecycle costs. Our findings help clients make informed investment decisions with clear risk assessments.
Podium Buildings
Our podium building expertise combines structural steel bases with wood-frame upper levels. We optimize designs for multi-family residential and commercial projects, ensuring seismic resilience and code compliance while maintaining cost efficiency across complex configurations.
People
Fred V. Cowen
Principal
Licensed in 17 states, Fred Cowen founded the firm in 1973. He specializes in structural design and forensic analysis, with expertise in monumental stairs and historic renovations. He holds S.E.C. Board Certification and has led over $250M in Middle Eastern construction projects.
Daniel G. Leonard
Engineer
Joining in 1988, Daniel Leonard specializes in computer-aided structural analysis and monumental stair design. He utilizes RAM ADVANCE software for finite element modeling and contributes to both residential and commercial projects with 35+ years of technical expertise.
Jonathan T. Cowen
Professional Engineer
A registered structural engineer since 2006, Jonathan Cowen focuses on wood and steel frame systems. He combines academic training with hands-on experience in CAD and structural software tools to deliver efficient building solutions for diverse client needs.
Raymond H. Busser
Senior Project Engineer
Specializing in podium buildings and lateral design, Raymond Busser brings 15+ years of experience with Bentley systems and RAM Structural Software. His expertise includes multi-story wood-frame constructions and seismic upgrades for commercial developments.
Questions
What types of projects does Cowen Associates handle?
We work on commercial, residential, and institutional buildings including structural design, renovations, forensic analysis, and specialty structures like monumental stairs and podium buildings.
Are you licensed outside New England?
Yes, our engineers hold licenses in 17 states including Massachusetts, New York, Florida, and Illinois, allowing us to serve projects nationwide.
How does your forensic engineering service work?
We conduct site investigations, analyze structural failures, and provide detailed reports with repair recommendations using advanced diagnostic tools and 40+ years of field experience.
Can you assist with historic building renovations?
Yes, we specialize in restoring historic structures while maintaining original integrity through careful material selection and code-compliant reinforcement techniques.
What software tools do you use?
We employ RAM Structural Systems, Bentley MicroStation, and proprietary helical stair analysis software to ensure precise modeling and efficient project delivery.
Reviews (3)
Stephanie Joyce
May 04, 2021
Report
Called in this engineer to assess the the structure of our roof bracings. Engineer only assessed the condition from afar (did not venture to the far side of the attic to assess the joists that we were most concerned about). Billed us before sending the written report which took 6 weeks to receive and then sent a second bill for an additional amount with no explanation. No response when I inquired via email about the second bill. He then resent the unpaid second bill 4 months later with no explanation. Very unprofessional. Would not trust him to do any significant work on our home.
Holly Tolley
Apr 16, 2021
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I've used Fred Cowen a number of times during a whole house renovation. He's been professional & prompt during his inspections and reports. I highly recommend him.
Dj L.
Sep 09, 2016
Report
Very responsive, friendly, professional, and reasonably priced. Great work. We would hire them again.
