The Vital Part of Building or Renovating you need to be thinking about!
Send this to someone who is building or renovating soon.
One important aspect of your build or renovation that you might not have considered yet is the mechanical and electrical layout of your home.
This is crucial to understand and be involved in because it can significantly affect your daily life.
Make sure you can easily plug in appliances, your phone, lamps, and other devices throughout your home.
Mechanical and Electrical Layouts!
i.e. Where you would like to plug in a lamp, use a wall light, charge your phone, have a towel radiator, have an outdoor tap, etc.
Make it stand out
Your architect will provide a M&E (Mechanical and Electrical drawing, sometimes called a Lighting and Electrical drawing on smaller projects) at Tender Stage of your project.
This drawing is a detailed diagram or set of drawings that outlines the layout, components, and specifications for the mechanical and electrical systems within your home.
Why do you need to know this?
When building or renovating, you will most likely be asked to comment on this plan before it’s issued at Tender stage; so it is important that you understand what it is and how it is used. AND that you have given it adequate thought before going on site.
This is your chance to decide where sockets are placed and how many there should be.
What does it look like?
Have a look at the example drawing here to see what it looks like.
Mechanical
This aspect of the plan typically includes locations of radiators, vents and general plumbing (toilets / sinks / washing machine etc.)
This portion of the plan addresses how the building will be heated, cooled, supplied with water, and protected from fire.
Electrical
This aspect of the plan covers the distribution of power throughout your home, including lighting, sockets, switches, fire and CO2 monitors and any other electrical components. It outlines the placement of electrical panels, wiring routes.
It also defines if the lights are dimmable, switched from both ends of the hall etc.
What to do once you’ve received the M&E plan?
Once you receive the first draft of the M&E plan, it’s a good idea to walk through your house and envisage how you will use the space and where the most natural placement is for the various components.
Then send a marked-up version of the plan to your architect, who will make the edits and it is then ready to send to the builders!