Is Full MEP cheaper than ordering disciplines separately?

Yes. The Full MEP Package is substantially cheaper than ordering Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing as three separate single-discipline plan sets — at the same square footage you save roughly $1,490 by bundling.

Bundle vs. three separate singles

The "three singles" column is simply the single-discipline rate (for example $995 at up to 600 SF) multiplied by three. Because the package is priced as one coordinated job rather than three independent ones, the savings grow as the ADU gets larger.

Why the bundle costs less to produce

• Shared project setup: we build one set of base drawings, one equipment understanding, and one Title 24 alignment instead of repeating intake and coordination three times.
• Built-in coordination: when the same team draws mechanical, electrical, and plumbing together, the panel feeds the right loads, the water heater circuit matches the plumbing, and ventilation matches the energy report — which prevents the cross-discipline conflicts that cause plan-check corrections.
• One submittal: a single coordinated MEP set is easier for the city to review than three disconnected sets.

When a single or two-discipline order makes sense

Bundling is the best value for most new-construction ADUs, but not every project needs all three. Choose individual disciplines when:

• An attached ADU or addition ties into existing house systems and only needs, say, electrical and mechanical.
• A garage conversion already has adequate plumbing but needs new wiring and HVAC.
• Your architect or another engineer is handling one discipline.

For those cases, the two-discipline tier ($1,195 and up) still beats buying two separate singles, and a lone discipline starts at $995. See mechanical, electrical, and plumbing pages for what each covers.

The bundle also reduces review risk

Beyond the dollar savings, a coordinated set lowers the odds of a plan-check correction. Most MEP comments at the city stem from cross-discipline mismatches — the electrical panel not feeding the right water-heater load, ventilation not matching the energy report, or a fixture on the plumbing plan with no power shown. When one team draws all three, those conflicts are caught before submittal rather than after. Adding the Title 24 report (+$240) to a Full MEP order keeps equipment efficiencies aligned across every sheet, which is the single most effective way to clear review on the first pass.

Note: the comparison above is for our plan-preparation fees only. City permit fees, utility connection fees, and field testing are separate and unaffected by which package you choose.

Ready to bundle and save? Review the Full MEP Package or go straight to order.