7 Questions to Ask Your MEP Engineering Partner Before Moving Forward

In the design and construction world, MEP denotes the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems that are a part of the building’s infrastructure. MEP Engineering is the art and science of designing, implementing, and managing the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems prior to, during and after construction. The quality of a MEP firm depends on the skills and experience of its engineers and technicians to bridge the gaps in design and construction projects and their technological capability to meet today’s business challenges and financial objectives.

Quality MEP engineering is critical to the success of any construction project. This is the reason real estate developers, property owners, and housing firms carefully outsource MEP services from trusted providers.

So, as you embark on your next construction project, consider how you can best benefit from your selected MEP engineering partner.

7 Questions To Ask Your MEP Engineering Partner Before Moving Forward

You’ve decided to hire a MEP engineering consulting firm. Whether the selected firm will be contracted with directly or will operate as a sub consultant to your architect there are several important questions you ask your MEP engineering partner before moving forward.

1. What services does your firm provide?

You want to hire a MEP engineering consulting partner with a comprehensive suite of engineering services all in one firm. As you look for your next MEP engineer, look for the availability of a complete range of MEP including IT and Fire Protection services to avoid omissions and gaps between disciplines. Splitting the MEP/FP/IT tasks up between multiple firms is a recipe for disaster in terms of cross disciplinary coordination. Keep it all in one house for consistency of service and single point responsibility for the design.

2. How long has your firm been in business?

The MEP industry is a highly complex and dynamic sector that has no cookbook solutions.  Every project is different and requires a unique approach to its design. It takes firms decades of industry specific experience to amass the relevant knowledge base and expertise to handle your project successfully. Ideally, anything less than ten years of industry specific experience is questionable.  Aim for engineering partners with many decades’ experience in full service MEP/IT/FP consulting.

3. What are your quality assurance procedures and processes?

Quality assurance is a continuous process from the onset of the project to the construction close out and turnover. Checks and balances must be in place throughout to ensure everything is done right.  Potential sources of errors can lead to project defects and/or failure. Knowing the MEP engineer’s quality assurance procedures and processes provides a spotlight on the quality of the rendered services.  Look for redundant reviews by different departments within the organization during all processes.  Having a second set of eyes on everything is important in avoiding potential errors.

4. Has your firm successfully worked on similar projects?

Inquire about project-specific examples that resonate with your project. This will help you evaluate the potential of your partner to successfully execute the project.  In addition, ask for completion dates of these projects to ensure the currently available staff is up to speed on a particular project type.  Also, ask for client references specific to your project type.

5. What types of advanced technologies and tools is your company using?

Progressive firms are driving MEP, IT, and FP engineering into the future with AI-powered technologies. These creative and cost-efficient approaches ensure that their clients receive exceptional services and the most efficient solutions possible for their projects. Ask for information about a firm’s most innovative solutions. Trusted MEP firms embed AI for MEP™ technology into their workflows, achieving speed, value, flexibility, low cost, and sustainability into their designs on every project.

6. Where is the firm licensed, and who holds the licenses?

The firm must, by law, carry current licenses in any areas or regions you need to work. Finding out what regions a firm is licensed in up front avoids having to change horses for your next project down the road. Holding the necessary licenses and certifications for different project locations ensures project continuity by eliminating delays and costly retraining while supporting sustainable workflows.

Inquire about the availability of multiple licenses in each jurisdiction in which you intend to work. If key members of the team become disabled or leaves the job involuntarily, will that impair the firm’s ability to complete the projects in previously certified jurisdictions? Do not put all your eggs in one basket by relying on single licenses in your geographic locations.

7. What differentiates you from the other engineering consulting firms?

A highly successful MEP firm must have a meaningful differentiating factor. There are thousands of firms offering similar services to a common pool of clients at roughly similar prices. So, the firm you select must stand out from the crowd in concrete and meaningful ways. All firms will claim that they offer exceptional services; that they focus on their employees, clients, and partners, etc. Those claims are just a standard marketing gimmick. Ask yourself what makes your preferred MEP engineering partner better than the all rest.  You should have a clear answer to that question before moving forward.

Schnackel Engineers – Your One Stop Destination for Quality, Technologically Advanced MEP/FP and IT Services

Before embarking on your next project, understand what MEP consulting entails and how to pick the best partner. The MEP engineer does a lot of the things that make your space livable, breathable and safe. Invest the time to know the nitty-gritty of picking the best MEP consulting firm.

Another tip is to expect thorough and consistent communication at every step of your project. The best engineers convey complex information to owners, architects, designers, specialists, and support staff in a concise way to design an ideal, coordinated system.

With proven superiority in automated and optimized engineering work while providing outstanding customer service, Schnackel Engineers is transforming the construction industry with AI-powered tools. Settle on a MEP engineering partner with superior solutions applied to a diverse range of projects.

You can contact Schnackel Engineers for value focused MEP engineering solutions.