No Universal Price — But Here's How It Works
MEP engineering fees scale with the complexity and scope of the work. A single-discipline scope (mechanical only for a restaurant TI) costs less than a full MEP package for a new healthcare clinic. Here are the primary variables that drive MEP fees.
Number of Disciplines
MEP can mean all three disciplines together, or just one or two. A commercial kitchen renovation might need mechanical (exhaust and make-up air) and plumbing (grease interceptor, floor drains, utility rough-ins) but not full electrical if the existing service is adequate. A lighting upgrade might need electrical only. Each discipline adds scope and cost — but a single integrated team is almost always more cost-effective than three separate firms.
Project Size
Square footage is a rough proxy for MEP scope — more space means more equipment, more ducting, more circuits, more fixtures. A 1,000 SF coffee shop TI is fundamentally different from a 20,000 SF medical office. Fees scale accordingly.
Systems Complexity
A straightforward office TI with a standard VAV HVAC system and basic lighting is less complex than a healthcare outpatient clinic with pressure relationship requirements, isolation rooms, specialized medical gas, and emergency power for critical equipment. Complexity multiplies engineering hours regardless of square footage.
New Construction vs. Existing Buildings
TI and renovation projects often require MEP engineers to assess existing systems before designing changes. Understanding what's already installed, what's at capacity, and what can be reused adds scope that new construction doesn't have. Existing building MEP often requires field coordination that adds time.
Energy Compliance Documentation
Projects in California (Title 24), Washington, Massachusetts, and other states with strict energy codes require additional compliance documentation — energy calculations, certificate of compliance forms, Title 24 reports. This is a scope add that's required by the AHJ, not optional.
Permit Package vs. Schematic
Full permit-ready MEP construction documents cost more than schematic-level or design development documents. If you need stamped permit drawings, equipment schedules, and full calculations, budget accordingly. If you're in early design and need preliminary sizing, that's a different (smaller) scope.
Getting a Quote
Send us the architectural drawings, project address, occupancy type, and a description of the mechanical and electrical systems involved. We'll review the scope and send a clear fixed-fee proposal within 24 hours — deliverables, timeline, and a fee that doesn't change unless your scope does.