|
How much should you budget for
design/engineering fees for residential HVAC systems?
See also:
Where will your indoor climate system score?
How to "ball park" your budget for indoor climate control.
Built to code: What does it mean for consumer thermal comfort?
Commercial Projects
Do I need an engineer?
Topic: Comprehensive designs for radiant based heating and
ventilation and domestic hot water systems.
Most basic homes under 4000 sf of total conditioned floor area are going to take
approximately 25 to 35 hours of combined consulting time for
phone calls, meetings, product reviews, design schematics, engineering calculation,
drawings and equipment lists plus an allowance for on-site
meetings and inspections.
Detailed estimates will be required for
larger homes and/or more complex systems.
Below are sample projects with descriptions of
what is entailed with deliverables;
Example #1: This
4200 ft2 owner built home was a renovation/new construction
project with special
requirements for a solar system and reclamation of existing
equipment. The project engineering time came in at approximately 36 hours
which included five site visits. The first visit was to assess
the project and discuss client objectives. The second and third
meetings were with client and bidding contractors to ensure the
project scope, terms and conditions were clearly understood for
tendering purposes. The fourth meeting was to inspect the
systems pre drywall stage and the fifth meeting for witnessing
the commissioning to ensure the system operated as intended. Our fees
also included an evaluation
of existing and proposed building systems and existing equipment. It also included a
review and recommendation of flooring choices to enable maximum
efficiency from the floor heating system; and for low VOC content to
enable indoor air quality. It also included evaluation of a
thermal dump for the solar system and a make up air system for
the larger kitchen range hood. The deliverables include a full
set of heating and ventilation schematics,
architectural/mechanical details, specifications and equipment
list.
Construction costs were approximately $225/ft2 and the mechanical system came in at approximately 12% of construction costs.
Example #2: This owner built
home
is a full gut and renovation project. The engineering time came in at approximately
25 hours which includes five site visits as similarly described
above. Our fees
included an evaluation of existing building systems and
recommendations for upgrades. It also includes a review and
recommendation of flooring choices to enable maximum efficiency
from the floor heating system; and for low VOC content to enable
indoor air quality. The deliverables include a full set of
heating and ventilation schematics, architectural/mechanical
details, specifications and equipment list.
Example #3: This owner built home is a new design/build project. The project engineering time came in at approximately 28 hours which includes two site visits as similarly described above. Our fees included an evaluation of various building systems with recommendations. It also included a review and recommendation of flooring choices and assemblies to enable maximum efficiency from the floor heating system; and for low VOC content to enable indoor air quality. The deliverables include a full set of heating and ventilation schematics, architectural/mechanical details, specifications and equipment list.
Unless stated otherwise, fee estimates associated with project requirement would not include
travel time, mileage and extraordinary office expenses such as
long distance calls, printing and courier costs if required.
Example #4: This owner built 4500 sf home and guest house is a new design/build project. The project engineering time came in at approximately 85 hours. Our fees included an evaluation of various building systems with recommendations. It also included a review and recommendation of windows, flooring choices and assemblies to enable maximum efficiency from the enclosure and HVAC system; and for low VOC content to enable indoor air quality. The deliverables include a full set of heating, cooling and ventilation schematics, kitchen exhaust and make up air system, architectural/mechanical details, specifications and equipment list for both buildings.
Construction costs were approximately $300/ft2 and the mechanical system came in at approximately 15% of construction costs.
Unless stated otherwise, fee estimates associated with project requirement would not include travel time, mileage and extraordinary office expenses such as long distance calls, printing and courier costs if required.
Example #5:
This owner built 8000 sf home is a new design/build project.
The project engineering time came in at approximately 79 hours. Our fees included an evaluation of various building systems with recommendations. It also included a review and recommendation of windows, flooring choices and assemblies to enable maximum efficiency from the enclosure and HVAC system; and for low VOC content to enable indoor air quality. Fee included five site visits. First visit was a client meeting to review the architectural details and mechanical concepts. Second meeting was to meet with each of the contractors invited to bid on the project. Third meeting was to meet with successful contractor to finalize scope of work and price. Fourth meeting was to inspect pre drywall stage including witness of blower door test to ensure house tightness met with load assumptions. Fifth meeting was post system start up and commissioning meeting. The deliverables included a full set of heating, cooling and ventilation schematics, kitchen exhaust and make up air system, architectural/mechanical details, specifications and equipment list.
Construction costs were approximately $185/ft2 and the mechanical system came in at approximately 11% of construction costs.
Unless stated otherwise, fee estimates associated with project requirement would not include travel time, mileage and extraordinary office expenses such as long distance calls, printing and courier costs if required.
Example #6:
This owner built 2000 sf home is a new design/build project.
The project engineering time came in at approximately 20 hours.
The home had been constructed to a pre mechanical stage and had
a previous firm design the basement radiant system. We took over
the project reviewing the existing design and completing final
design for construction documents. This was a heating only
system with some minor reviews of the existing ventilation
strategy also done by others. The challenge with taking over any
design is trying to optimize around existing installed equipment
which in this case led to some necessary revisions to the
original designers efforts in order to make the rest of the
systems work as intended.
Unless stated otherwise, fee estimates associated with project requirement would not include travel time, mileage and extraordinary office expenses such as long distance calls, printing and courier costs if required.
Professional Service Rates
Indoor Climate Consulting Inc. rates are
in-line with professional engineering and technologist fees
based on a E3/C to E5/E and T3 to T7 classification as identified by The
Consulting Engineers of Alberta in the document tilted,
“Consulting Engineers Rate Guideline”.
Should you wish to discuss your project with us
please contact us first via
email and let us
know about your project and expectations.
Sincerely,
Robert Bean, R.E.T., P.L.(Eng.)
President, Indoor Climate Consultants Inc.
Director, www.healthyheating.com
Registered Engineering Technologist - Building construction (ASET
#8167)
Professional Licensee – Mechanical engineering (APEGA #105894)
|
