MEP coordination

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

• What does "MEP coordination" include exactly?+

  Coordinating mechanical (HVAC), electrical, and plumbing layouts between the trade engineers and the architectural set so nothing collides on site. We mark conflicts (a duct routed through a beam, a plumbing chase too small for the riser, a panel feeder that needs a new circuit), issue RFIs to the relevant trade, and incorporate resolved decisions into the architectural drawings.

• Do you do MEP design from scratch, or only coordinate?+

  Both, depending on the project. Small commercial TI: we produce permit-set MEP layouts ourselves with our partner stamped MEP engineer reviewing. Larger commercial / multifamily: each MEP trade is its own design firm; we coordinate their drawings, not produce them.

• Can you join my project's coordination meetings?+

  Yes — typically a weekly 30-minute call during the active coordination phase. Included in the fee for projects we're producing the architectural set on; itemized on the quote for coordination-only engagements.

• Do you stamp drawings?+

  No — we are a drafting studio, not a licensed architecture or engineering firm, so we don't apply our own seal. For projects that need a stamp, we partner with licensed architects and engineers in your state and route the drawings through them. The cost of the stamp is itemized separately on your quote so there are no surprises.

• Do you submit permits on my behalf?+

  Yes — for an itemized fee, we file the permit package directly with the AHJ, handle correction cycles, and shepherd the set through to issuance. Or you can take the stamped set and submit it yourself. Your call; either way, the drawing scope is the same.

• What is your revision policy?+

  Every fixed-fee quote includes two rounds of revisions before construction documents are finalized. AHJ corrections (changes the city asks for after submittal) are bundled in — we don't charge extra for plan-check responses. Substantive scope changes after CD freeze are quoted separately at the hourly rate.

• Can you work with my existing GC, engineer, or interior designer?+

  Yes — most of our projects come in this way. We routinely coordinate with general contractors, structural / MEP engineers, kitchen designers, and interior designers your team has already retained. We work in their CAD format, attend their coordination meetings, and produce drawings that bid cleanly against their scope.

• How fast can you turn around a set?+

  Typical permit-set turnaround is 2–5 weeks from a complete brief; complex commercial TI or multifamily can stretch to 8–12 weeks. We commit to dates in writing on the quote and hold them — late-delivery credits are part of the contract.

• What languages do you work in?+

  English, Spanish, and Mandarin. Drafters in all three on staff. We can issue drawing sets bilingually if your trade contractors prefer Spanish — useful in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Texas markets.

• What insurance do you carry, and who is responsible if a drawing error causes a problem during construction?+

  We carry general liability insurance, and we re-cut any drawing issue we caused at no charge. Because we are a drafting studio, any sheet that needs a professional seal is stamped by a licensed engineer or architect who carries their own professional (errors-and-omissions) liability for that stamped scope. Ask us for our certificate of insurance before you sign.

• Do I own the drawings, and can I get the editable CAD files?+

  You receive the permit-ready set you paid for, and your contract spells out your rights to the files. If you need the native, editable CAD (DWG) — to hand to a builder, a sub, or another firm — tell us during intake so we confirm the deliverable format up front rather than at handoff.

• What do you need from me to get started, and how much is the deposit?+

  To quote, we need your project basics: the location or parcel, your scope, and any survey, existing plans, or even a rough sketch. Engagements start with a deposit at contract signing — paid by card, ACH, or check through the client portal — with the balance tied to project milestones. You do not need an architect's drawings to begin; we work from a napkin sketch or pick up an architect's earlier design.

• Can you tell me what my project will cost to build, not just to draw?+

  We don't quote construction costs — that's your general contractor's bid, and it depends on finishes, site conditions, and the current local labor and material market. We design to a clear, complete scope so your GC can price it tightly with fewer surprises, and we can connect you with GC partners for a build estimate.