Pricing & Licensing
Yes. LAVA includes a fully functional 30-day free trial so your team can evaluate it on real projects before committing.
During the trial, you’ll also have full access to our support team. You can ask questions, review your models with us, and use screen shares if needed so you can get a clear sense of how it fits into your workflow.
Start a free trial today.
LAVA is priced at $3,700 annually for the first license and $2,700 annually for each additional license. Annual subscriptions include software updates, technical support, and four hours of live training.
The best way to learn LAVA on your own is to start with our video tutorials and help documentation, then apply what you learn to a real project.
Our tutorial walks through the core workflows step-by-step, including modeling, load paths, shear walls, reports, and common design scenarios. The Help Center is also searchable, so it’s easy to find answers when you run into a specific question.
Many users start by modeling a past or current project they already understand well. That tends to make the learning process much faster because you can compare LAVA’s workflow and results to something familiar.
And if you hit a roadblock, we’re available for support calls and screen shares to help you keep moving.
LAVA uses a floating shared license model designed for flexibility. You can install the software on multiple computers, but only one user can actively use each license at a time.
When you open LAVA, you’ll log in through your browser to check out an available license. Once you’re done, the license is automatically released back to your team for someone else to use
Product Capabilities
Yes. LAVA supports Rigid diaphragm analysis. LAVA also supports Flexible diaphragm analysis and envelope design which uses both Rigid and Flexible.
Yes. LAVA performs both seismic and wind design calculations for wood-framed structures.
Yes. LAVA is commonly used for multifamily wood-framed projects, including large residential developments.
LAVA is currently built around orthogonal geometry, so it does not currently support fully non-orthogonal buildings with angled beams, walls, or diaphragms.
Many users are still able to model projects with angled elements by simplifying certain areas of the structure. For example, diagonal shear walls can often be represented using orthogonal components or by isolating and designing those areas separately.
LAVA is built for wood light-framed structures including single-family homes, townhomes, apartments and multifamily buildings from 1 to 6 stories.
Integrations & Imports
Yes, LAVA currently offers early automation capabilities through import using a text file, csv format. Expanded API functionality is part of our future roadmap.
Check out the technical article here: API – Import Model
Yes. LAVA supports DXF import and export to help engineers build models faster using existing plan files. The Import DXF is used as tracing paper to allow the user to draw the model on top of the DXF. The Export DXF allows you to take all your designs back to your construction drawings.
LAVA does not currently have a direct integration with Autodesk Revit.
However, we’ve introduced API-style import tools that allow building data to be generated outside of LAVA and imported into the software. Some users have already used this workflow to build models from Autodesk Revit data. See article on the API – Import Model
It’s an early step toward deeper integrations and more automated model creation. If your team is exploring a Revit workflow, we’re happy to talk through what you’re trying to automate and whether the current import tools are a fit.
Technical Design Questions
LAVA supports major U.S. wood design codes, including International Code Council IBC 2018, IBC 2021, IBC 2024, along with the 2022 California Building Code and 2025 California Building Code.
These code editions reference the applicable requirements from ASCE ASCE 7, American Wood Council SDPWS, and NDS to help keep your designs aligned with current U.S. wood standards.
LAVA automatically generates organized calculation packages that help engineers review designs and submit documentation for plan check.
LAVA uses the 3-term deflection equation suggested in the Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) to determine the calculated wall deflection and stiffness.
LAVA automates both gravity and lateral load transfers across the full building model, reducing manual calculations and improving efficiency.
Support & Training
LAVA subscriptions include technical support, software updates, and direct access to our team when questions come up.
We’re known for being very responsive. Most support questions are answered quickly by email, and when something is easier to walk through live, we’ll jump on a screen share to review your model, troubleshoot issues, and help you keep your project moving.
Whether it’s a technical question, modeling workflow issue, or understanding results, you’ll work directly with people who know both the software and structural design.
Contact us here: LAVA Technical Support
Most teams can get started quickly. We offer a 30-day free trial so you can explore the software before purchasing, and every new license includes personalized onboarding and live training.
Many users begin building their first real project during training, which helps shorten the learning curve and gives your team confidence applying LAVA right away. We’re also available along the way for questions, model reviews, and screen shares if your team needs help getting over a hurdle.
Yes. Every new LAVA license includes up to 4 hours of live training to help your team get up and running quickly.
These sessions are personalized to your workflow and can be used to walk through real projects, answer questions, and make onboarding smoother. We’ve found that proper onboarding is one of the biggest factors in helping teams adopt new software successfully.
Schedule a demo to see LAVA in action.