MEP CapEx Quick Check: engineer's guide
MEP capex is typically 25 to 45% of total building construction cost, varying by building complexity. Quick benchmarks catch outliers early.
Open the MEP CapEx Quick Check →
What this calculator does
The calculator compares MEP cost against typical percentage ranges by building type and flags outlier bids.
Formulas used
- MEP percentage:
%MEP = CMEP / Ctotal × 100
Variables
- CMEP = total MEP cost
- Ctotal = total construction cost
Worked example
Scenario: Office tender: total construction $10M, MEP $3.2M.
- %MEP = 32%
- Typical office range 25 to 35% → within band
- If 42%, investigate: over-spec MEP or under-spec structure/finishes
Common mistakes to avoid
- Comparing percentage without segmenting by trade
- Missing site services in total
- Different fit-out scope across bidders
Frequently asked questions
Typical ranges by type?
Office 25-35%, hospital 40-50%, data centre 60-70%, hotel 30-40%, retail 20-25%, industrial 15-25%.
What if my MEP is much lower than range?
Investigate scope gaps — the difference often reappears as variations later.
Standards and references
RICS NRM, ASHE (healthcare cost benchmarks)
Related tools on this site
Open the calculator that pairs with this guide: MEP CapEx Quick Check.
Verification note
This guide is planning support only. Final design must be verified against the applicable project specification, authority requirements, manufacturer data, and the standards cited above. Consult a licensed engineer for construction-issue calculations.