/ Process · Fixed-fee engagements

Five steps from inquiry to permitted drawings.

1. You send the real project background. Address or jurisdiction, current stage, disciplines needed, existing drawings or prior permit comments, the actual decision on the table, and any deadline. A complete inquiry is faster than a call that restates the same gaps.
2. Masterbuild reviews and asks the right questions. Fit, missing information, jurisdiction, and licensure path are confirmed before anything is priced. If it is not a fit, that is said early.
3. Fixed-fee proposal issued in writing. Defined scope, deliverables, exclusions, milestone structure, schedule, and fee. If the project itself changes later, a written amendment is issued before additional work begins.
4. Engagement letter signed — retainer due. The retainer is applied to the first milestone. Work begins within one to two business days of retainer receipt, depending on current queue.
5. Milestone-based delivery and billing. Typically schematic / SD, permit CDs, and comment-response / final. Construction-phase advisory is scoped separately or on a monthly Design Advisory retainer.

What a strong inquiry includes

• Project address or controlling jurisdiction
• Occupancy / use and current design stage
• Disciplines requested (HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, electrical)
• What is currently preventing progress — missing capacity, comments, recertification notice, field conflict
• Drawings, comments, or a share link to the files you already have
• Permit or closing deadline, even if it is “flexible”