When Cincinnati businesses think about mechanical contractors, they often picture crews in the field installing piping, HVAC equipment, and plumbing systems. But at Jarvis Mechanical, the work begins long before construction starts.

For President Jason Richardson, engineering is much more than producing drawings. It's about designing systems that deliver lasting value, perform as intended, and make life easier for the people who will operate them every day.

"We want to make sure the customer gets what they need, not just what they are paying for."

That philosophy drives Jarvis Mechanical's in-house engineering team, which designs and stamps permit-ready drawings for projects ranging from medical office buildings and commercial office spaces to distribution centers and industrial facilities.

Unlike firms that outsource portions of the design process, Jarvis keeps engineering, construction leadership, and project management working together from the beginning.

"Our engineers aren't working in a vacuum. They're getting input from project managers, operations leaders, and our executive team. Everyone brings a different perspective to make sure we're designing the best system  for them."

Designing the Right System, Not the Biggest System 

One of the biggest misconceptions in construction is that more equipment or more complexity automatically creates a better system.

Richardson believes the opposite is often true.

"Sometimes simpler is better. If we can give a client a system that performs exactly how they need it to, is easier to maintain, and costs less to install and operate, that's a win."

The goal is to create systems that meet the owner's needs without unnecessary complexity that can increase costs or create maintenance challenges later.

This approach becomes especially important on design-build projects, where Jarvis is responsible for both engineering and construction.

"We have to warranty these systems. We need them to work just as much as our customers need them to work. That's why getting the design right the first time is so important."
 

Bringing Construction Experience Into the Design Process for Cincinnati Businesses 

One advantage of Jarvis' design-build approach is that field experience influences design decisions before construction ever begins.

Rather than waiting until installation to discover conflicts or inefficiencies, the construction team helps identify potential issues while plans are still being developed.

"The construction team is involved during the design process. We're identifying issues on paper before they become problems in the field."

That collaboration helps improve schedules, reduce costly rework, and ensure projects move smoothly from design through construction.

Engineering also maintains close coordination throughout the project lifecycle, developing layouts for piping, plumbing, HVAC systems, and utility requirements while ensuring everything works together as intended.

"There's a lot of coordination involved. Whether it's sanitary systems, water requirements, equipment sizing, or routing, we're helping guide customers through those decisions every step of the way."
 

Finding Value Others Miss

Richardson points to a recent Amazon project as an example of the value engineering mindset that defines Jarvis Mechanical.

While reviewing the plans, the team identified opportunities to eliminate unnecessary plumbing runs and redesign portions of the venting system without compromising code compliance or performance.

The result?

Lower material costs, reduced installation time, and a more efficient system.

"We looked at it and said, 'Let's make this better.' We were able to remove plumbing that didn't need to be there, redesign portions of the system, meet code requirements, and save both time and money."

It's an example of how experience translates directly into better project outcomes.

"After more than 30 years in this industry, we know what works and what doesn't."
 

Built Right the First Time

Ultimately, Richardson views engineering excellence through a simple lens: creating systems that perform exactly as intended for years to come.

That means properly sized equipment, thoughtful system layouts, coordinated designs, and solutions that are practical to operate and maintain.

"Engineering excellence is designing the right system for the customer so the end user has no issues."

It's a standard that has helped Jarvis build long-term relationships and earn repeat business across industries.

"People are coming to us because they know we're going to do it right from the start. We don't want to be fixing problems later. We want to build systems that stand the test of time right out of the gate."
 

Conclusion 

"Our goal is simple: design it right the first time, build it right the first time, and give the customer a system they can rely on for years."

This commitment to practical engineering, collaboration, and long-term performance is what keeps Jarvis Mechanical at the forefront of design-build construction and truly embodies the Heart of the Build.

"We're focused on building systems that are reliable from day one and continue performing for years to come."



Interested in learning more about Jarvis Mechanical Design/Build Services? Contact us here.