If the MEP portion exceeds the budget, does the MEP engineer charge the architect to redesign to meet the budget?

• A. Yes; the engineer can bill for additional compensation.
• B. No; the engineer redesigns without additional compensation to meet the budget.
• C. Yes, but only with owner approval of extra funding.
• D. No; the contractor must absorb all budget overruns.

Answer: (B)

When the MEP portion goes over budget, the design team is expected to bring the design back into alignment within the agreed scope and compensation. The MEP engineer would revise layouts, select cost-saving alternatives, and coordinate changes with the architect to meet the budget without charging the architect for the redesign. This reflects the engineer’s responsibility to deliver within the owner-approved budget as part of their existing contract. If additional funds are needed, that would typically involve owner-approved changes and new compensation, not billing the architect for the redesign itself.