What additional fees should I expect?

Our plan price is flat and all-inclusive for the engineering work itself — single disciplines from $995, two from $1,195, and the Full MEP Package from $1,495, all including two revisions, city corrections, and permit-ready PDF delivery with no sales tax. However, building an ADU involves several third-party fees that are not part of our scope, and it is important to budget for them so nothing comes as a surprise.

What IS included in our price

Optional charges from us

Third-party fees that are NOT part of our scope

• City permit and plan-check fees — charged by your local building department to review and issue the permit. These vary widely by jurisdiction.
• School and impact/development fees — some agencies assess these on new living area, though many ADUs under 750 SF are exempt under state law.
• Utility connection fees — water, sewer, gas, and electric service connections billed by your utility or district. Water and sewer connections in particular can range from modest to many thousands of dollars depending on the agency.
• Structural and architectural drawings — the floor plans, elevations, and structural engineering that accompany an MEP set. We prepare MEP only.
• HERS field verification testing — on-site testing by an independent certified HERS rater after construction, where the energy design requires it. Billed by the rater.
• Site-specific construction work — new sewer laterals, slab cutting in garage conversions, panel/service upgrades, and similar items are contractor scope, not plan scope.

Think of it this way: we provide the permit-ready MEP plans for one transparent fee. The city, the utilities, your contractor, and (when required) a HERS rater each charge their own fees that are outside our control. We call these out up front so you can budget the whole project accurately.

Because these outside fees depend entirely on your city, lot, and utility, confirm them early in planning. For a full picture of the process, read how it works and the complete ADU MEP guide, or review our FAQ. When you are ready, see the pricing page or place your order.