Start from a base commercial MEP cost and add line-item premiums for healthcare and senior living requirements. Quantifies exactly what makes healthcare MEP more expensive.
Healthcare and senior living facilities require MEP systems that exceed standard commercial specifications. This tool itemizes each premium and shows the total cost impact above a commercial baseline.
Base MEP $/SF: The commercial office MEP cost per square foot — either from the ROM Estimator or from your own data. This is the "before" number.
Adders: Each line item represents a system or requirement that adds cost beyond the commercial baseline. Toggle items on/off, adjust the $/SF rate, and see the impact in real-time.
Key drivers of healthcare MEP premiums:
Defaults: Mid-range estimates for Mid-Atlantic market. All values are editable — override with your project-specific data. Rates are per building SF unless noted otherwise.
Code Edition Notice: This tool references ASHRAE 170 (healthcare ventilation), NEC Article 517 (healthcare electrical), NFPA 99 (healthcare facilities code), and NFPA 110 (emergency power). These standards update on 3-year cycles (ASHRAE 170 on a 4-year cycle aligned with FGI). State and local jurisdictions adopt different editions at different times — adoption lag is typically 3-6 years. For example, CMS currently enforces NFPA 99-2012 despite the 2024 edition being current. Cost adder rates shown are planning-level estimates, not code-derived requirements. Always confirm applicable code editions and requirements with your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and a licensed professional engineer before making design or procurement decisions.