Small Firm Exchange

Hi members, 

 I would like to get some advice or stories how you structure contracts for single-family home projects, specifically regarding structural, civil and MEP engineering consultants. In my practice, I typically include architectural, structural and MEP engineering for single residential in my proposal as part of a bundled fee, but exclude civil and landscape. I've noticed some firms separate engineering contracts entirely, similar to what I've seen in large commercial building or TI projects.  

How do you typically handle this? Do you bundle engineers into your proposal, or have clients contract them separately? Are there specific factors-like project complexity, budget constraints, client preferences, or liability risks-that drive your decision? For example, do you separate services to mitigate risks in high-value or complex homes, or stick with bundling for simplicity? 

Thank you in advice, 

Alan

We do a mix of residential and small commercial.  We typically have the consultants contract direct to the owner.  We manage them, the owner pays them.  Unlike commercial/institutional projects our fees cover our work, we do not rely on consultant mark up to supplement our fees.

Thank you,



Jim Zack, FAIA | principal


AIA San Francisco 

2025 Firm Leadership Award 

w. 415.495.7889, ext. 201
c. 415.797.2282

1672 15th Street
San Francisco, CA • 94103

www.zackdevito.com

Hi members, 

 I would like to get some advice or stories how you structure contracts for single-family home projects, specifically regarding structural, civil and MEP engineering consultants. In my practice, I typically include architectural, structural and MEP engineering for single residential in my proposal as part of a bundled fee, but exclude civil and landscape. I've noticed some firms separate engineering contracts entirely, similar to what I've seen in large commercial building or TI projects.  

How do you typically handle this? Do you bundle engineers into your proposal, or have clients contract them separately? Are there specific factors-like project complexity, budget constraints, client preferences, or liability risks-that drive your decision? For example, do you separate services to mitigate risks in high-value or complex homes, or stick with bundling for simplicity? 

Thank you in advice, 

Alan

We do a mix of residential and small commercial.  We typically have the consultants contract direct to the owner.  We manage them, the owner pays them.  Unlike commercial/institutional projects our fees cover our work, we do not rely on consultant mark up to supplement our fees.

Thank you,



Jim Zack, FAIA | principal


AIA San Francisco 

2025 Firm Leadership Award 

w. 415.495.7889, ext. 201
c. 415.797.2282

1672 15th Street
San Francisco, CA • 94103

www.zackdevito.com

Hi members, 

 I would like to get some advice or stories how you structure contracts for single-family home projects, specifically regarding structural, civil and MEP engineering consultants. In my practice, I typically include architectural, structural and MEP engineering for single residential in my proposal as part of a bundled fee, but exclude civil and landscape. I've noticed some firms separate engineering contracts entirely, similar to what I've seen in large commercial building or TI projects.  

How do you typically handle this? Do you bundle engineers into your proposal, or have clients contract them separately? Are there specific factors-like project complexity, budget constraints, client preferences, or liability risks-that drive your decision? For example, do you separate services to mitigate risks in high-value or complex homes, or stick with bundling for simplicity? 

Thank you in advice, 

Alan

Hi members, 

 I would like to get some advice or stories how you structure contracts for single-family home projects, specifically regarding structural, civil and MEP engineering consultants. In my practice, I typically include architectural, structural and MEP engineering for single residential in my proposal as part of a bundled fee, but exclude civil and landscape. I've noticed some firms separate engineering contracts entirely, similar to what I've seen in large commercial building or TI projects.  

How do you typically handle this? Do you bundle engineers into your proposal, or have clients contract them separately? Are there specific factors-like project complexity, budget constraints, client preferences, or liability risks-that drive your decision? For example, do you separate services to mitigate risks in high-value or complex homes, or stick with bundling for simplicity? 

Thank you in advice, 

Alan

Hi members, 

 I would like to get some advice or stories how you structure contracts for single-family home projects, specifically regarding structural, civil and MEP engineering consultants. In my practice, I typically include architectural, structural and MEP engineering for single residential in my proposal as part of a bundled fee, but exclude civil and landscape. I've noticed some firms separate engineering contracts entirely, similar to what I've seen in large commercial building or TI projects.  

How do you typically handle this? Do you bundle engineers into your proposal, or have clients contract them separately? Are there specific factors-like project complexity, budget constraints, client preferences, or liability risks-that drive your decision? For example, do you separate services to mitigate risks in high-value or complex homes, or stick with bundling for simplicity? 

Thank you in advice, 

Alan