In an ideal world, the MEP engineer receives one complete set of architectural drawings and designs from it. For a small building, that could mean permit-ready mechanical and electrical drawings in about three weeks. In practice, that almost never happens. Architectural plans keep changing as design develops, and each change lands on the MEP team.
The ripple effect
Moving a wall or flipping a suite layout can look like a five-minute change on the architectural plan. For building services it can mean:
- Re-routing ductwork, piping and sprinkler mains around the new layout
- Re-calculating heat loss and gain, and re-selecting equipment
- Moving shafts, which affects every floor above and below
- Re-balancing electrical panels, updating load calculations and reissuing single-line diagrams
- Re-coordinating with structure for new openings and sleeves
Multiply that by the number of unit types and floors, and a "small" revision can cost days of engineering time and push back the permit submission.
Five ways to keep it under control
- Lock in space for services first. Agree on shaft locations, mechanical rooms, ceiling zones and electrical rooms before detailed suite planning. These are the most expensive things to move later.
- Choose systems early. Heat pumps vs fan coils vs VRF affects ceiling heights, shafts and electrical service size. Deciding at schematic design saves rework.
- Freeze unit types. Set a date after which typical suite layouts are fixed. Changes after that are tracked as additional services.
- Issue revisions in batches. Several changes issued together cost less to process than the same changes trickled in one at a time.
- Agree on how changes are handled in the fee. Transparent fees work both ways: a clear base scope plus an agreed approach to revisions keeps everyone honest and the project moving.
Per-unit fees for residential projects
For residential developments, Miriton can offer per-unit (per-door) fee options, with a clear understanding of how significant architectural changes are handled. That gives you cost certainty for your pro forma while keeping the design flexible where it matters.
Tell us about your project and we will propose a fee structure that fits how your team works.