A Private Practice by Thomas van Wermeskerken, P.Eng.

Consulting Structural Engineer & Associates

Request a Proposal

A Private Practice by Thomas van Wermeskerken, P.Eng.

Consulting Structural Engineer & Associates

Request a Proposal

The Private Practice Advantage

Direct Access to Expertise

Personalized Service and Attention

You have direct access to the expert, ensuring the highest level of proficiency from the outset of your project and allowing complex issues to be addressed promptly and effectively. Expert design can significantly influence construction costs by preventing both over-engineering and under-engineering, while also eliminating unnecessary billing hours from inexperienced engineers.

Personalized Service and Attention

Clients receive individualized attention, allowing me to understand your project needs in depth and respond quickly to inquiries. This approach fosters better communication and ensures that your priorities are always front and center. I am passionate about my work, and my philosophy is to design each project as if I were the owner.

Flexibility and Adaptability

Personalized Service and Attention

Flexibility and Adaptability

Smaller firms typically offer greater flexibility in their processes and decision-making. This allows us to quickly adapt to changes in project scope, budget constraints, or timelines. Clients benefit from agile responses to challenges, resulting in innovative solutions that larger firms might struggle to implement due to bureaucratic layers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of support team do you have in place?

Skerks Engineering has a diverse network of drafters and professional engineers ready to provide tailored assistance as required. Our team of associates includes experienced private practitioners and senior structural engineers from larger firms. We also have a trusted engineer who conducts documented Independent Reviews for select projects, meeting the standards set by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC.

Do you offer services for projects located outside of Vancouver?

We are proud to have ongoing projects across British Columbia! With the acceptance of digital documents in most jurisdictions, we can easily take on remote projects. For smaller projects, we often provide our services entirely online, utilizing digital documents and conducting photo or video reviews during construction. For more complex projects, we seamlessy combine remote services with on-site visits as needed.

ABOUT SKERKS ENGINEERING

Skerks Engineering is a full-service structural design firm with exceptional knowledge, expertise, and experience in the structural design of residential buildings.

Our design process meticulously integrates detailed structural calculations, performance analysis, aesthetic considerations, constructability, cost efficiency, and construction speed. This comprehensive approach ensures that we consistently deliver successful projects that surpass industry standards.

We take pride in gaining many new projects through recommendations from our valued clients. Our loyal customers repeatedly choose us as their preferred structural engineers, appreciating the exceptional quality and reliability we provide on every project.

No project is too large or complex for Skerks Engineering. We can handle it all, and the results from our satisfied clients speak for themselves.

THOMAS VAN WERMESKERKEN, P.ENG., PRINCIPAL

Thomas is a well-established Professional Engineer with 15 years of experience in the construction industry. Renowned for his ability to swiftly resolve complex architectural challenges, he excels in advanced technical coordination during the design process and consistently provides exceptional support to contractors throughout construction.

Thomas began his career as a framing carpenter, constructing numerous buildings from the ground up. He later earned his engineering degree from the University of British Columbia while working at the Earthquake Engineering Research Facility.

Transitioning into structural consulting, Thomas held positions at Morrison Hershfield and Wicke Herfst Maver, where he designed a diverse array of commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. His expertise encompasses all building materials, including reinforced concrete, steel, masonry, wood, and mass timber. Thomas credits his hands-on experience as crucial to his ability to visualize, analyze, and create practical designs for complex structures.

His nickname, "Skerks," originated from his long last name, leading to the creation of Skerks Engineering.