What files do I need to order MEP Plans?

To prepare accurate, permit-ready MEP plans, the one essential item is a complete set of architectural drawings — the floor plan, site plan, and elevations — because the engineer designs the systems to fit your specific layout. Beyond that, a handful of project details and, ideally, editable files help us deliver a clean first draft faster.

Drawing files we can work from

• Preferred: DWG (CAD) files or Revit models. Editable files reduce drafting time and improve turnaround.
• Accepted: PDF plans. These are fine, but PDF-only sets may require additional drafting and coordination on our end.

Documents to include

• Floor plan (the most critical sheet)
• Site plan showing the ADU location, setbacks, and utilities
• Elevations
• Roof plan and sections, if available
• Existing-condition plans, for garage conversions and additions
• City correction notices, if you're resubmitting after a plan check

Project information that improves accuracy

The more of the following you can share, the more revision-free the first draft will be. If you don't know an answer, that's completely normal — the engineer fills gaps with California code defaults.

• Project address (used to confirm climate zone and local code requirements)
• ADU type (detached, attached, garage conversion, JADU)
• Existing electrical panel size and existing utility information
• HVAC preference (or "unsure")
• Water heater preference
• Solar or battery storage plans
• Whether you want an all-electric or gas design (note many California cities now require all-electric)
• Any special requirements: EV charger, panel upgrade, solar conduit, or specific appliances

The single biggest factor in turnaround is the completeness and format of what you provide. Editable CAD or Revit files plus a few project details up front give us everything we need to design accurately on the first pass.

What's different for a garage conversion

Garage conversions need a few extra items because the engineer is working with an existing structure rather than a blank slate. Helpful additions include the existing garage floor plan, photos or notes on the existing electrical (the size of the sub-feed from the main house to the garage), and the location and size of the main house's electrical panel. Because all plumbing in a garage conversion typically runs below a concrete slab, knowing the garage floor elevation relative to the sewer lateral helps the engineer plan drain routing. See our Garage Conversion MEP page for the full picture.

Why editable files speed things up

When you provide DWG or Revit files, the engineer can build the MEP layers directly onto your existing geometry, which keeps the systems perfectly aligned with walls, fixtures, and the kitchen layout. With PDF-only plans, that geometry has to be redrawn or traced first, which adds drafting time and a small risk of coordination gaps. Either format works and both are accepted — editable files simply give you the fastest, cleanest first draft.

A quick pre-order checklist

• Architectural floor plan, site plan, and elevations
• Editable CAD/Revit files if you have them (PDF otherwise)
• Project address and ADU type
• Existing panel size and utility details
• HVAC and water heater preferences (or "unsure")
• All-electric or gas design, plus any EV/solar/battery plans
• City correction notices, if resubmitting

When you're ready, you can upload everything during checkout — see How It Works for the step-by-step, or head straight to start your order. If anything is missing after you submit, we'll reach out before drafting begins.