Ontario Design Studio prepares coordinated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) drawings for residential, multi-unit, and commercial permits across Ontario. Many projects stall because the architectural drawings are ready but the MEP design is missing or uncoordinated. We prepare HVAC, plumbing, and electrical layouts that fit the building, meet the Ontario Building Code, and line up with ESA and TSSA requirements - all as part of one submission.
What MEP Drawings Cover
- Mechanical (M) - heating, cooling, ventilation, ductwork, exhaust, and make-up air
- Electrical (E) - power distribution, panel schedules, lighting, and load calculations
- Plumbing (P) - water supply, drain-waste-vent (DWV), fixtures, and risers
Need MEP drawings for your permit?
Ontario Design Studio delivers coordinated, OBC-compliant MEP drawings across Ontario and the GTA. Call 416-558-9607 or request your free quote.
HVAC & Ventilation Design
Our mechanical drawings size heating and cooling to the space using heat-loss and heat-gain calculations, then lay out ductwork, diffusers, exhaust fans, and - where required - heat-recovery ventilators (HRVs) and make-up air units. For basement suites and multi-unit buildings, we design independent ventilation so each unit meets the Code on its own.
Plumbing Drawings
We show supply and DWV piping, fixture-unit loading, vent sizing, and riser diagrams, plus backwater valves and sump/ejector systems where grade requires them. For commercial kitchens we include grease-interceptor sizing on the restaurant fit-out set.
Electrical Layouts & ESA
Our electrical drawings cover panel and circuit layouts, lighting, and load calculations for the permit and for your electrician. In Ontario, electrical installations are permitted and inspected by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) under the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, separate from the building permit - we coordinate the layouts so the two align.
Radiant & Hydronic Heating
For in-floor radiant and hydronic systems we prepare loop layouts, manifold locations, and boiler/heat-source coordination, balanced against the building's heat-loss calculations.
When MEP Drawings Are Required
- Commercial fit-outs and Part 3 buildings - almost always
- Multiplex and fourplex conversions - independent systems per unit
- Legal basement apartments - independent HVAC and ventilation
- Additions and renovations that add or relocate mechanical or plumbing systems
MEP Drawing Costs
MEP drawing fees depend heavily on scope - a single-system residential layout is modest, while a full commercial mechanical, electrical, and plumbing set is a larger engagement. We quote MEP as part of your overall package. See our complete 2026 cost guide for context.
Cities We Serve
Related Resources
- Commercial Building Permit Drawings
- Restaurant Fit-Out & Commercial Kitchen Drawings
- Structural Engineering Drawings
- Legal Basement Apartment Permits
- Building Permit Drawing Cost Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What are MEP drawings?
MEP drawings are the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing plans for a project. Mechanical covers HVAC, ventilation, and heating; electrical covers power, lighting, and panel layouts; plumbing covers water supply and drain-waste-vent piping. They are required for most commercial and multi-unit permits, and for many residential projects that add or relocate systems.
Do I need MEP drawings for a residential basement apartment?
Usually, yes. A legal basement apartment needs independent HVAC and ventilation design and its own plumbing, which we show on the permit set. Electrical work is permitted and inspected separately through the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) rather than the building permit, but we coordinate the layouts so everything fits.
Who approves electrical and gas work in Ontario?
Electrical work is governed by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) under the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, and gas or propane work is approved by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). Mechanical and plumbing are reviewed under the Ontario Building Code with the building permit, and larger Part 3 systems require a Professional Engineer. We coordinate all three so your approvals align.