Cecilia Home LogoCecilia Home

CA Licensed · Faster Permit Approval

Get Permit-Ready Faster. Build Sooner.

California-licensed engineers take your project from design to building permit approval with one coordinated, end-to-end service built to keep the process moving faster.

#1 on Thumbtack · 500+ Reviews
20+ Active Projects Monthly
Fast, Professional Permit Support
California ADU with approved building permit plans prepared by licensed engineers

By the Numbers

California Trusted Architectural & Structural Engineering

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Monthly Active Projects

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Projects Delivered

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Permit Approval Rate

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Professional Team Members

Trust & Collaboration

Approved Plans Across California Cities.

Our architectural and structural plans are consistently approved across California — from Northern to Southern cities. With deep familiarity of local building codes, we help homeowners avoid rejections, shorten review cycles, and secure permits with confidence.

Our Services

Our Range of Services

Comprehensive design and construction solutions for residential and commercial projects, delivered with expertise and attention to detail.

Not sure which service fits? Start with your project type.

Accessory Dwelling Unit design project

ADU Design

Custom Accessory Dwelling Unit designs that maximize your property value while maintaining aesthetic harmony.

Load-bearing wall removal with structural beam

Wall Removal

Remove load-bearing walls to create more space in your home.

Home addition and renovation project

Home Addition

Add extra space to your home with a new room or extension.

Home remodeling project with open floor plan

Home Remodeling

Transform your home with expert kitchen, bathroom, and living room remodeling.

Building permit application and plan check

Building Permit Service

Coordinate permit-path review, plan preparation, submissions, and correction responses with licensed design and engineering support.

Foundation inspection and structural assessment

Foundation Inspection

Expert foundation inspection with detailed structural reports to ensure safety and long-term stability.

SB-9 lot split and new construction

SB 9 Subdivision

California SB 9 lot split and two-unit subdivision design for maximum property value.

Custom backyard pool and deck design in California

Backyard Pool & Deck Design

Custom backyard pool and deck by licensed architects, structural engineers, and landscape designers.

Start With the Right Scope

Three Parts of a Permit-Ready Project

Choose the workstream that matches your project. We coordinate the pieces into one city-ready scope.

01

Architecture & Planning

For an ADU, addition, remodel, conversion, or any change to how your home is used.

02

Structural Engineering

For load-bearing walls, new openings, additions, foundations, seismic retrofits, or a structural correction.

03

Permits & City Review

For a new submittal, missing documents, plan-check comments, or coordinating consultant revisions.

For an initial review, share your property address, a short project description, available plans or photos, and any city comments.

Licensed Engineering

Is Your Engineer Licensed in California?

Too many California homeowners lose weeks or months to permit corrections caused by incomplete engineering. Unreviewed structural changes can also create costly rework and real safety risks. As you transform your home into the space you've imagined, make sure a licensed Professional Engineer stands behind every structural decision.

Led by Lei Zheng, a California-licensed Professional Engineer since 2006, Cecilia Home identifies structural risks early, prepares permit-ready calculations and drawings, and handles City plan-check responses—helping your project avoid preventable delays and rework.

  • 20 years of engineering experience
  • Thousands of homeowners served
Lei Zheng, founder and CEO of Cecilia Home

Official DCA License Record

Lei Zheng

California Professional Engineer

Founder & CEO, Cecilia Home

License
C-69809
Issued
March 17, 2006
DCA status
CLEAR
Verify License on California DCA

Status verified July 17, 2026.

Real California Projects

See How Real Homes Moved from Plans to Results

Review the constraints, design decisions, and outcomes behind three completed project types.

Spacious 1000 SF detached ADU in San Jose Willow Glen with premium exterior finish

ADU Design

1,000 SF Detached ADU in San Jose

A 1,000 SF detached ADU in San Jose's Willow Glen neighborhood — built by a retired homeowner to generate long-term rental income from a spacious, well-finished unit on a large corner lot.

View project
San Jose ranch home with new second-story addition, street view at golden hour

Home Addition

650 SF Second-Story Addition in San Jose

A 650 SF second-story addition to a 1,400 SF San Jose ranch home, adding two bedrooms, a full bathroom, and a landing study nook — growing the home upward on a lot too tight to expand outward.

View project
Open San Mateo kitchen and living room with a concealed 16-foot structural beam

Wall Removal & Structural Engineering

1,760 SF Flush-Beam Wall Removal in San Mateo

A completed wall removal project opening a 1,760 SF San Mateo ranch home with a 16-foot kitchen-to-living-room span, using a concealed engineered wood beam to preserve a continuous flat ceiling.

View project
Map of California showing Cecilia Home service coverage across major cities including San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, and surrounding regions

Service Area

Serving Homeowners Across California

From the Bay Area to Southern California, our licensed architects and structural engineers help homeowners navigate local zoning, building codes, and permit review — wherever you are in the state.

32+

Cities Served

2,000+

Projects Delivered

Bay Area & Northern California

San FranciscoOaklandSan JoseBerkeleyPalo AltoFremontHaywardSunnyvaleSanta Clara

Southern California

Los AngelesSan DiegoIrvineAnaheimLong BeachSanta AnaGlendaleHuntington BeachPasadena

Why Choose Us

Why Homeowners Choose Cecilia Home

We’re not just another design firm — we’re the most-reviewed architecture firm on Thumbtack, completing 2–3 projects every week across California.

#1 RANKED ON THUMBTACK

The highest-rated and most-reviewed architecture firm on Thumbtack in California — 500+ verified reviews and a 4.9★ rating from real homeowners.

FIXED-PRICE, ALWAYS

We give you the complete, all-inclusive price before you commit — no lowball estimates, no change-order surprises. Just one honest number you can plan around.

DEEP SPECIALIZATION

We complete 2–3 projects of the same type every single week. That’s more hands-on experience in one month than most firms accumulate in a year.

TRUSTED CONTRACTOR NETWORK

We connect you with vetted, licensed contractors we work with repeatedly — no vetting required on your end, no coordination gaps between design and construction.

COMPLETE QUOTE UPFRONT

Share your project details and we respond within 1 business day with a complete, all-inclusive quote. No ‘I’ll need to come see it first,’ no hidden fees added later.

CALIFORNIA PERMIT EXPERTS

Licensed architects and structural engineers with deep knowledge of California codes, city-specific requirements, and a 99% permit approval rate across the state.

Our Process

Our Process

Our process is designed to be transparent and efficient, delivering a complete one-stop service from design to final permit approval.

Guidance for your project

  1. 01

    Free Consultation

    Share your project details and we'll assess your needs, timeline, and budget to prepare a clear proposal.

  2. 02

    On-Site Assessment

    Precise measurements and site evaluation for accurate project planning.

  3. 03

    Design Development

    Creating detailed plans and visualizations to bring your vision alive.

  4. 04

    Permit Acquisition

    Navigating complex approval processes to ensure code-compliant construction.

  5. 05

    Construction Support

    Ongoing guidance and contractor coordination throughout the building process.

Client Testimonials

Trusted by California Homeowners

Ranked #1 on Thumbtack based on verified reviews from homeowners who relied on our architectural and structural engineering services.

We wanted to build an ADU in our backyard but had no idea where to start. Mason walked us through zoning, setbacks, and the permit timeline. The plans were approved on the first submission—way faster than we expected.

JL
Jennifer L.
ADU Design · Fremont, CA

Removing our load-bearing wall seemed risky, but Mason explained the beam options and provided engineering calcs the city approved right away. Our open-concept kitchen is exactly what we dreamed of.

DK
David K.
Wall Removal · San Jose, CA

We remodeled our entire first floor—kitchen, living room, and bathrooms. Cecilia Home handled all the structural drawings and coordinated with our contractor. The permit process was surprisingly smooth.

PM
Patricia M.
Home Remodeling · Oakland, CA

We wanted to build an ADU in our backyard but had no idea where to start. Mason walked us through zoning, setbacks, and the permit timeline. The plans were approved on the first submission—way faster than we expected.

JL
Jennifer L.
ADU Design · Fremont, CA

Removing our load-bearing wall seemed risky, but Mason explained the beam options and provided engineering calcs the city approved right away. Our open-concept kitchen is exactly what we dreamed of.

DK
David K.
Wall Removal · San Jose, CA

We remodeled our entire first floor—kitchen, living room, and bathrooms. Cecilia Home handled all the structural drawings and coordinated with our contractor. The permit process was surprisingly smooth.

PM
Patricia M.
Home Remodeling · Oakland, CA
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Find clear answers about our services, timelines, process, and how we help you move from design to permit approval smoothly.

We provide architectural and structural design for ADUs, home additions, interior remodeling, wall removals, foundations, seismic retrofits, and permit-ready plans. We also handle all building permit submissions and revisions until approval.

We start with a free consultation, then complete your preliminary plans within one week. Final stamped plans typically take 2–3 weeks. Throughout the process, we provide clear communication, 3D visualization when needed, and full support through city review.

Our pricing is based on project scope and complexity. We offer transparent, fixed-price packages for common services such as ADUs and additions, and provide detailed quotes during your free consultation with no hidden fees.

Preliminary plans are completed in 1 week, and final plans take 2–3 weeks. City review timelines vary by city, but ADU permits typically take 2–3 months. We keep you updated throughout each stage.

Yes. We help you optimize your design based on your budget and provide cost-conscious recommendations while maintaining structural safety and code compliance.

Simply contact us to schedule a free consultation. We’ll review your project goals, timeline, and budget, then prepare a customized proposal. Virtual meetings are available.