A: LOD 300 minimum for ±5% accuracy, LOD 350-400 for ±3% accuracy. At LOD 300, we work with schematic routing and equipment schedules. LOD 350+ provides fabrication-level detail including all fittings, supports, and accessories. If your model is LOD 200, we can supplement with specifications and schematic drawings but accuracy reduces to ±10%.

A: We include coordination in our estimates as both time (coordination meetings, clash resolution) and material (re-routing costs, additional fittings). For complex projects, coordination can add 3-5% to MEP costs. We also model design development risk - how much design is still to be finalized and what impact that has on pricing certainty.

A: Yes, but we add coordination contingency (5-10%) to account for clashes that will be discovered and resolved during construction. We can also run clash detection as part of our service and provide a clash resolution cost estimate, helping you understand the coordination risk in monetary terms.

A: Absolutely. T&C is often 3-8% of MEP installation costs and frequently overlooked. We include: pre-commissioning, functional testing, performance verification, integration testing, witness testing, seasonal commissioning, and 12-month defects monitoring. Each system has specific testing requirements we price accordingly.

A: BMS costs include: hardware (controllers, sensors, actuators), software licenses, programming, graphics/dashboards, integration with specialist systems, training, and documentation. Typically 5-15% of MEP costs depending on building intelligence level. We price to BSRIA BG 50/2023 guidance for BMS specification levels.

A: Yes, we benchmark against BCIS, Spon’s, and our database of 2000+ projects. We provide £/sqm comparisons by building type, MEP proportion of total project cost, and system-by-system unit rates. This helps identify if your specification is over/under compared to market norms for similar buildings.

A: Renovation MEP is more complex due to: surveys of existing services, asbestos/contamination risks, working in occupied buildings, phasing/temporary services, tying into existing systems, and unknowns behind walls/ceilings. We typically add 15-25% contingency for existing building MEP work and recommend intrusive surveys to reduce uncertainty.

A: For major equipment (chillers, generators, switchgear, UPS), we obtain budget quotations from manufacturers/suppliers and include delivery lead times in our assessment. We flag critical path items and recommend early procurement. We also model currency risk for imported equipment and inflation scenarios for long-lead items.