What We Do
From Concept to Closeout — Full MEP Preconstruction Consulting
RFF Services handles the full preconstruction arc across HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and electrical — progressive design-build, design assist, plans and specifications from conceptual through permitting, and end-of-project recap. Forty-two years of field-licensed experience brought directly to your project, with trusted trade partners for electrical execution.
HVAC Design & Preconstruction
Progressive design-build and design assist from concept through permit
RFF Services supports HVAC scope from the earliest conceptual discussions through permit-ready documents. Whether you need design-assist collaboration with the engineer of record or a full progressive design-build approach, we bring field-licensed perspective to every phase — keeping systems buildable, code-compliant, and on budget.
- Progressive design-build and design-assist support
- Conceptual through permit-ready plan and spec development
- Equipment selection and specification coordination
- Constructability review and phasing analysis
- MEP coordination and conflict identification
- Bid package preparation and subcontractor scope review
Plumbing Design & Preconstruction
Licensed C-36 expertise from schematic design through permitting
With an active C-36 contractor license and Tennessee LLP, RFF Services provides plumbing consulting across the full project lifecycle — from early schematic layouts through permit submissions. Domestic water, sanitary, storm, medical gas, fire protection, and irrigation systems are all within our scope, informed by a decade working under licensed engineers.
- Schematic through permit-ready plan and spec development
- Domestic water, sanitary, storm, and specialty systems
- Fire protection and irrigation system coordination
- Code compliance and jurisdictional permit review
- Fixture count validation and system sizing review
- Subcontractor bid leveling and scope gap analysis
Project Controls
Schedule, risk, and change management across the full project arc
From kickoff through end-of-project recap, RFF Services tracks the moving parts that determine whether a mechanical or plumbing scope finishes on time and within budget. We give owners and GCs real visibility at every phase — not just at bid day.
- Preconstruction schedule development and milestone tracking
- Risk identification and mitigation planning
- Change order analysis and impact assessment
- Progress reporting and owner communication support
- Owner's representative services for MEP scope
- End-of-project recap and lessons-learned documentation
Cost Management
Phase-appropriate estimates built on real field experience
Our cost management work is grounded in hands-on knowledge of how mechanical and plumbing systems actually get built and priced. We produce estimates at every phase — conceptual through GMP — that reflect current market conditions, regional labor, and project-specific risk, so budget decisions are made on solid ground.
- Conceptual and schematic-phase cost modeling
- Design development and GMP estimate support
- Bid analysis, leveling, and award recommendation
- Value engineering and system alternative analysis
- Contingency and allowance recommendations
- Post-bid and end-of-project cost reconciliation
Government & Federal Projects
SDVOSB-certified — qualified for federal set-aside contracts
As a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), RFF Services is qualified for federal set-aside and sole-source contracts across VA, DoD, and civilian agency programs. We understand federal documentation standards, procurement requirements, and the compliance expectations that come with public-sector work.
- SDVOSB-certified for federal set-aside and sole-source contracts
- VA and DoD facility preconstruction consulting
- FAR/DFARS compliance and federal procurement support
- Davis-Bacon wage determination and compliance
- Federal project documentation and reporting standards
- Teaming and subcontracting for prime contractor partners
LEED & Sustainability Support
LEED GA credential applied to MEP system decisions
Grant Schaffer holds a LEED Green Associate credential and applies it to the design and specification decisions that affect a project's sustainability performance. This is not engineering — it is informed consulting on system selection, fixture choices, and documentation strategies that support LEED goals without adding unnecessary cost.
- LEED credit strategy for mechanical and plumbing systems
- Water-efficient fixture selection for LEED WE credits
- Ventilation and IAQ design coordination (LEED EQ)
- Sustainable equipment and refrigerant selection guidance
- LEED documentation support and submittal coordination
- Commissioning coordination and closeout documentation
Facility Assessment
MEP system assessments for government, healthcare, commercial, and industrial facilities
RFF Services conducts mechanical field assessments across all facility types — government, healthcare, commercial, industrial, and institutional. We evaluate existing HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and related systems against current code, operational requirements, and capital planning needs. Backed by 42 years of field experience across hundreds of projects in every major sector.
- Existing system condition and performance assessment
- HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and irrigation evaluation
- Code compliance and deficiency identification
- Capital planning and repair/replace recommendations
- Government, healthcare, commercial, and industrial facilities
- SDVOSB-qualified for federal and public-sector assessment contracts
Fire Protection Design & Preconstruction
Sprinkler, suppression, and life-safety system consulting from concept through permit
RFF Services provides fire protection preconstruction consulting across the full project lifecycle — from early system selection and hydraulic layout concepts through permit-ready documents. Backed by a decade of hands-on experience working under licensed fire protection engineers on OSHPD-regulated hospitals, federal facilities, and large commercial projects, we bring the field knowledge to keep fire protection scope on budget and on schedule.
- Wet pipe, dry pipe, pre-action, and clean agent system consulting
- Conceptual through permit-ready plan and spec development
- Hydraulic calculation review and system sizing coordination
- NFPA 13, 14, 20, and life-safety code compliance review
- OSHPD/HCAI and federal facility fire protection coordination
- Bid package preparation and subcontractor scope leveling
Electrical Cost & Preconstruction
Electrical preconstruction and cost management delivered through trusted trade partners
RFF Services extends its preconstruction consulting to electrical scope through established relationships with licensed electrical trade partners. We coordinate electrical cost modeling, design-assist support, and bid package development alongside the mechanical and plumbing scope — giving owners and GCs a single point of contact for full MEP preconstruction without gaps between disciplines.
- Electrical cost modeling from conceptual through GMP
- Design-assist coordination with licensed electrical trade partners
- Power, lighting, low-voltage, and specialty system scope review
- Bid package preparation and electrical subcontractor leveling
- MEP coordination — electrical integrated with mechanical and plumbing
- Single point of contact for full MEP preconstruction scope
Our Approach
How We Work
A disciplined process from first conversation to final recap.
Project Intake & Scope Definition
We review drawings, specifications, and project goals to define the consulting scope, deliverables, and schedule — whether you're at napkin stage or heading to permit.
Conceptual Design & Progressive Development
We develop mechanical and plumbing concepts progressively — from early system selection and layout through design-assist collaboration with the engineer of record.
Plans, Specs & Permit Coordination
We prepare and coordinate plan and specification documents through the permitting phase, ensuring code compliance and jurisdictional requirements are addressed before construction begins.
Bid Package & Procurement Support
We prepare bid-ready scope documents, assist with subcontractor selection, and level bids — so award decisions are based on complete, comparable information.
End-of-Project Recap
We close out every engagement with a structured recap — documenting what was built, what changed, and what the next project team should know.
Industries We Serve
Ready to Protect Your Project Budget?
Contact Grant Schaffer directly to discuss your preconstruction needs.