MEP Engineering Proposal Template

An MEP proposal has to cover four disciplines without leaving gaps between them. This template sets out mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection design, energy code compliance documentation, and coordination with the design team, with options for construction administration and commissioning support.

  • Project Understanding
  • Design Criteria
  • Coordination
  • Exclusions
  • Fee options
  • Additional Services
  • Payment Terms
  • Terms
  • Acceptance
  • Signatures from you and your client
Free, no account needed to start. Not legal advice.

Use it when an architect or owner asks you to propose building systems design for a new building or a major renovation.

The full template

Words in brackets, like [Client Name], fill in automatically from your client's details when you use the template in Clientary.

In the editor, you can change any section and package options. Once you send it, your client picks a package and signs online. Edit this template online

Thank you for inviting [Company Name] to propose on the building systems for your project. This proposal covers our understanding of the project, the design criteria for each discipline, how we'll coordinate with the design team, what's excluded, and three fee options.

Project Understanding

[Client Name] has asked us to design the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems for [describe the project, for example: a three-story mixed-use building at 210 Main Street, with about 4,000 square feet of retail shell on the ground floor and 16 apartments above].

Design Criteria

Mechanical. Heating and cooling load calculations, equipment selection, and ductwork design for each apartment and the retail shell, with ventilation and exhaust as the code requires. In schematic design we'll compare two system options, such as individual heat pumps and a central variable refrigerant system, with the first cost and operating cost of each.

Plumbing. Domestic water, sanitary and vent, storm drainage, natural gas where used, and water heating, from five feet outside the building.

Electrical. Utility service and distribution, a meter for each tenant, power, lighting and lighting controls, and emergency lighting. Fire alarm is provided as a performance specification for a design-build contractor.

Fire protection. Sprinkler design criteria, a water supply analysis from hydrant flow data, and a performance specification. The sprinkler contractor designs the system and prepares shop drawings.

Energy code. The compliance forms and calculations the energy code requires for permit, using the prescriptive path.

Coordination

We'll attend design team meetings every two weeks, coordinate shafts, ceiling spaces, and equipment locations with you and the structural engineer, and issue drawings at each milestone you set.

Exclusions

  • Utility company fees, and design of utility extensions to the site
  • Site utilities more than five feet outside the building, which the civil engineer designs
  • Fire sprinkler hydraulic calculations and shop drawings, which the sprinkler contractor prepares
  • Low-voltage systems such as data, audio-visual, and security, beyond conduit and power
  • Energy modeling for the performance path, and green building certification documentation
  • Tenant fit-out of the retail spaces

Fee options

Each option includes design through permit for all four disciplines. Fees are fixed and billed monthly by percent complete.

Design and permit · Construction documents and plan review responses
Mechanical design$18,000.00
Plumbing design$9,000.00
Electrical design$14,000.00
Fire protection criteria and specification$2,500.00
Energy code compliance documentation$3,000.00
Total$46,500.00
Design through construction · Adds submittal review and site visits
Mechanical design$18,000.00
Plumbing design$9,000.00
Electrical design$14,000.00
Fire protection criteria and specification$2,500.00
Energy code compliance documentation$3,000.00
Construction administration
Submittal review and contractor questions$6,500.00
Site visits with observation reports (5)$3,000.00
Total$56,000.00
Design through commissioning · Adds commissioning support and closeout
Mechanical design$18,000.00
Plumbing design$9,000.00
Electrical design$14,000.00
Fire protection criteria and specification$2,500.00
Energy code compliance documentation$3,000.00
Construction administration
Submittal review and contractor questions$6,500.00
Site visits with observation reports (5)$3,000.00
Commissioning support
Commissioning requirements and test review$7,500.00
Closeout review and owner training$2,000.00
Total$65,500.00

Additional Services

Work outside this scope is billed hourly at $195 for a principal engineer, $165 for a project engineer, and $110 for design and drafting, with your written approval first. Additional site visits are $600 each.

Payment Terms

We invoice monthly by percent complete. Payment is due within 10 days of your receiving the owner's payment for our services, and no later than 60 days from the invoice date. Printing, delivery, and travel beyond 50 miles are billed at cost.

Terms

  • Standard of care. We'll perform our services with the care and skill ordinarily used by engineers practicing in the same disciplines and area under similar circumstances.
  • Instruments of service. Our drawings, calculations, and specifications remain ours. You and the owner may use them for this project once our fees are paid.
  • Construction. The contractor is responsible for means, methods, sequencing, and site safety. Our site visits are to observe the work in general, not to inspect it in full.
  • Limitation of liability. Our total liability for claims related to this project is limited to the fees paid to us, to the extent permitted by law.
  • Termination. Either party may end this agreement with 14 days' written notice. You'll pay for services performed to that date.

Acceptance

Choose an option and sign below to accept this proposal. We'll schedule a kickoff with your team within one week.

How to use this template in Clientary

  1. Edit it online. Change any section, add your own, and add a fee table with packages the client can choose from. No account needed.
  2. Preview it as your client will see it. Fill in who it's for and pick a design.
  3. Start your free trial to send it. Confirm you'll have it reviewed, since templates aren't legal advice, and your proposal is waiting in your new account with your client's details filled in.
  4. Send it to be signed. Your client reviews, chooses a package, and signs online, and you can see when it's viewed and signed.

Learn more about proposal software in Clientary.

Frequently asked questions

What does MEP engineering include?

Mechanical design (heating, cooling, and ventilation), electrical design (power, lighting, and distribution), and plumbing design (water, waste, and gas). Fire protection is often included as design criteria, with the sprinkler system designed by the installing contractor.

What is commissioning support?

Commissioning checks that building systems are installed and work as designed. Support from the design engineer covers the design-side requirements, review of the commissioning reports, and attending functional tests. Some projects also need an independent commissioning provider.

Is this mep engineering proposal template free?

Yes. Read and copy the full text on this page, or edit it online and see it as your client will. When it's ready, start a free Clientary trial to send it or download it as a PDF.

Has a lawyer reviewed this template?

No. It's a general starting point written by Clientary, not legal advice, and it hasn't been reviewed by a lawyer for your situation or the laws where you and your client work. Have your own counsel review it before you use or sign it.

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