When preconstruction collaboration can potentially prevent systems from clashing on-site, why wait for those clashes to happen? It is disappointing to see many general contractors still delaying engagement with MEP experts until the last minute in the design process. The consequences are severe: expensive coordination failures, schedule overruns, and change orders.
The AEC spectrum in the USA is transforming rapidly. This makes the risks associated with design discrepancies and miscommunication even more terrifying for AEC firms. The preconstruction phase is a high-stakes situation. During this stage, budgets are thin, deadlines are tighter, and clients want both fast delivery and enduring value.
If general contractors prioritize collaborating with MEP engineers early, especially during the preconstruction phase, it can positively impact a project from different fronts. That’s precisely what this blog is going to explore and explain.
The Real Cost of Silence: Deterred MEP Engagement Equals Compounding Costs
Conventionally, general contractors prefer involving MEP engineers in a construction project at a later stage. However, the result of this is that both contractors and clients face hidden expenses. These disguised costs tend to accumulate as a project progresses.
What is even more important and interesting, at the same time, to understand is the changes in design midway that spike the overall project budget. For instance, a simple revision, such as repositioning a bathroom’s plumbing, can cost around $1,500–$2,000 in additional expenses. Nevertheless, the ripple effect—redesigns, re-permitting, and schedule slippages—often increases the bill further by the time a project ends.
More significant changes, especially following rough-in installations, can disrupt the entire construction workflow and increase costs to an unexpectedly large extent. Design-bid-build workflows seldom restrict communication flow, resulting in risks and rework. On the contrary, design-build or design-assist models encourage instant dialogue. When GCs wait until the last minute to bring in MEP experts, it culminates in unpredictable cost overruns, blown schedules, and unhappy clients.
Significance of Early MEP Inputs
The importance of MEP engineers’ presence from the early phase goes beyond just providing layouts. They bring specialized risk analysis and technical suggestions on energy modeling, phasing, and code compliance. They cater to various roles in the preconstruction stage, including:
- Detailed estimation of expenses for all materials, equipment, and labor, rooted in the current market values.
- Value engineering to boost systems’ efficiency for installation ease, energy use, and future upkeep.
- Schedule authentication by flagging long-lead components, such as custom switchgear or energy-saving chillers.
- Risk detection on material lead times, code updates, and system integration with structural and architectural designs.
The insights that these MEP engineers provide are critical for various aspects. They help with the recognition of feasible upgrades or cost-efficient alternatives. In turn, this ensures that collaborative designs comply with the newest ASHRAE, NEC, and International Plumbing Code guidelines.
Impact of Delaying MEP Engineering Coordination
When general contractors take too long to loop in MEP engineers on a project, the outcomes are as follows:
- MEP systems usually account for up to 40-60% of a project’s overall construction expenditure. This scenario is even more true in the case of complex commercial buildings.
- Change orders and rework resulting from late-stage MEP engineers’ involvement increase the project cost modestly. This surge in expense is more apparent in the provision of urban projects.
- MEP integration at the preconstruction stage can significantly diminish field RFIs. Construction errors also decrease considerably.
- Seamless coordination can slash schedules by multiple weeks. It also helps boost productivity, and a notable decrease in labor expenses can be experienced.
table below showcases the cost outcomes considering whether MEP involvement is done early or late:
| MEP Involvement | Schedule Impact | Average Change Orders | Cost Overrun Risk |
| Early (Preconstruction) | On Track | Low | Minimal |
| Late (After Design) | Delays Likely | High | High |
Common Drawbacks When Early MEP Input is Missing
In the absence of initial-stage MEP collaboration, the AEC team and general contractors suffer:
- High-cost clash detection after the initiation of on-site installation.
- Ambiguous coordination of power, HVAC, and fire protection systems.
- Neglected code requirements or missed documentation.
- Incorrect BIM models contribute to on-site confusion and waste.
- Higher maintenance and lifecycle energy expenditure because of missed opportunities related to value engineering.
Primary Advantages of Early MEP Engineers’ Involvement
Perhaps the most crucial task in ensuring multidisciplinary teams’ alignment on essential project drivers is early collaboration with MEP engineers. This fosters diverse benefits:
- Better coordination ultimately reduces design inconsistencies across disciplines and removes expensive surprises during actual construction.
- Fewer change orders facilitate the preemptive detection of system clashes, inefficient equipment sizing, or space conflicts. This eventually saves both time and budget.
- Improved BIM on the offset guarantees that all verticals operate from a single, well-structured model, simplifying both communication and field execution.
- More powerful cost control offers owners and GCs a precise and transparent estimate and phasing plan from the start.
- Elevated sustainability enables the integration of best-in-class equipment and energy approaches to assist in future-proofing the building.
Robust Preconstruction: How AEC firms and GCs can Loop in MEP Engineers
Top-performing U.S.-based general contractors never treat MEP engineers as an afterthought. With every passing day, the inevitable positive benefits of integrating MEP during preconstruction are being realized extensively by GCs. For effortless early integration, follow the checklist below:
- Bring MEP experts into project initiation meetings with structural engineers, architects, and owners.
- Utilize cloud-based integration tools for instant sharing of models and drawing sets.
- Ensure that BIM coordination and clash detection are done before the design freeze.
- Employ MEP input for value engineering and evaluation of long-lead procurement items.
- Co-write construction documents and phasing plans with all verticals at the table.
How National MEP Engineers Can Help Connect GCs and MEP Engineers for Flawless Preconstruction
National MEP Engineers, one of the trailblazers in offering MEP remote support services in the USA, can be of great help to GCs. Specializing in remote, collaborative support, this firm’s multidisciplinary teams provide:
- Comprehensive HVAC design assistance, with thorough load calculations for energy analysis, system sizing, and compliance documentation.
- Electrical design, including power, lighting, fire protection, and life-safety systems, upholds existing electrical codes.
- Plumbing system layouts are formulated by engineers well-versed in U.S. local codes and site-specific limitations.
- BIM modeling and clash recognition, pursued in Navisworks and Revit for fully coordinated deliverables from the very first day.
- Third-party quality assurance checks, maintaining risk-fre
e design, fewer on-site reworks, and expeditious approvals.
It is vital to acknowledge that the delivery of every MEP service is done remotely, coordinating with the client’s prevailing workflows and platforms. Here, National MEP Engineers plays the role of an extended in-house team. The MEP engineers are always ready to scale when schedules tighten and the project needs some changes.
To Sum Up
Concerning the current AEC space, involving MEP engineers during preconstruction has become a mandatory requirement. This collaboration is essential for firms seeking to finish projects within the stipulated time, on budget, and above code. In such a scenario, the “cost of silence” is more than just a few dollars. It can result in losing opportunities, damaging reputation, and increasing the chances of operational hazards.
When GCs give priority to involving MEP engineers at the preconstruction stage, several benefits unfold. It supports avoiding bloated change orders, field confusion, and costly interventions.
If your firm is ready to make its projects future-resilient and smooth the path from bid to delivery, collaborate with National MEP Engineers right now. Our remote MEP experts are going to make a big difference. So, enjoy tailored electrical, HVAC, and plumbing designs, rapid BIM integration, and preemptive clash detection.
