Design & Engineering
Engineering is the foundation of an efficient system. Our commitment to our customers is to deliver creative solutions, great value and reliable performance. We design systems that will remain serviceable and perform reliably for years to come under varying conditions and requirements, utilizing the experience of our commissioning and service professionals. Our decades of experience and knowledge allow us to confidently take on each project and deliver a system that meets the specific needs of each facility.
Our services include:
- 3-D Modeling and Design Coordination
- Preconstruction Services and Planning
- Energy Conservation
- Systems Evaluation/Comparison and Economic Analysis
- Code Compliance or Variances
- LEED Certification
- Retrofits & Upgrades
- Applications Engineering
Delivery Methods
With the ever-expanding list of project delivery methods, Smith MEP dedicates significant effort and resources to remain at the forefront of the industry in providing a finished product that meets all the client’s requirements.
Plan-Spec
Smith MEP brings decades of experience to construction projects that mandate a fixed-price bid on a detailed set of construction documents. We examine the plans and specifications, determine the lowest possible cost and then build exactly what was designed. Through working closely with the architect and engineering teams, our project managers anticipate issues and work to avoid change orders and cost overruns.
Design-Assist
In the Design-Assist method of delivering work, Smith MEP works closely with the design and construction teams to clarify the operational benefits of the project. We will analyze alternates on a price/performance basis. Our knowledge of installation, maintenance and long-term operating costs will help deliver the maximum value for dollars spent. And, when appropriate, we recommend using alternative designs, different materials and more efficient installation methods.
Design-Build
Design-Build brings together a partnership of the owner, architects, general contractors, engineers and trades. As part of the design-build team, Smith MEP engineers analyze the owner’s requirements, reviewing concepts and systems on a price/performance benefit. We can establish realistic project budgets early in the process. Design-Build speeds up the entire construction process as we proceed seamlessly from design into construction with known project costs. Design-Build is the best way to avoid constant change orders, project escalation and cost overruns.
Integrated Project Delivery
Integrated Project Delivery is at the core of Smith MEP’s capabilities. As a design-assist and design-build contractor, we regularly participate in the collaborative design and planning processes, allowing us to figure out the best way to accommodate the unique needs of each project. Smith MEP’s Project Managers are unique in that they manage the project’s scope of work from start to finish, playing an integral role in the design, cost control, construction, commissioning and handover.
Lean Production & Construction
Internally, Smith MEP relies on pull scheduling, which reduces the amount of materials we keep on hand and requires effective project planning and efficiency. Our shop also provides the opportunity to prefabricate and preassemble many of the materials delivered to the field. This increases the quality due to the clean, controlled shop environment and reduces labor and installation time in the field. With our fabrication facility located at the heart of the Central Coast, we are able to make more frequent just-in-time deliveries consisting of the exact amount of materials needed for a specific portion of the job. This reduces the impact on other trades in the field by minimizing the amount of materials staged on the floor and around the job site.
Target Value Design
Target Value Design (TVD) is a method closely aligned with Lean production, Lean construction, and Integrated Project Delivery. It consists of designing a project to the customer’s predetermined budget requirements, rather than establishing cost after the design is completed. TVD builds cost into the design process and minimizes waste in the production and construction process. The guiding factor for TVD is not to exceed the target cost for a project. Typically, cost follows design, but cost dictates design on projects where TVD is used.