Industrial Building Construction – Do We Need a New Facility?

Every business owner wants to grow their business. When their company grows and they add more people to their team, one of the toughest questions a business owner is faced with is, do they need a new facility, or is upgrading the existing facility a feasible option?

When choosing between these two courses of action, assess your needs and expansion plans. If your building is too old and you notice structural damage in your building, it makes sense to build a new facility.

As a rule of thumb, the older a building, the more expensive it is to renovate. You may have to upgrade the design to code standards to keep up with regulatory changes. This can be overly expensive and time-consuming.

If your building was constructed several decades ago, electrical systems might be outdated. Do you plan to install new machines? Find out if new technology will work with dated retrofits. A custom builder in Sonoma County will help you determine if making certain changes (such as rearranging the floor plan) will improve the functionality of your building or if you need a new facility.

Another important factor to consider when making this decision is the level of effort. A long process of obtaining the required permissions may add uncertainties and costs. Also consider scheduling issues, constructability, and perceived cost when deciding whether you should renovate your existing facility or build a new one from scratch.

In some cases, it’s simply not feasible to renovate an existing facility. If your facility was constructed before 1978, there is a strong possibility that hazardous materials (primarily asbestos) were used in it. You may need seismic and weather retrofits or termites may have damaged wooden structures. If the rebar embedded in your concrete starts to rust, your building will need extensive repairs.

The cost of these improvements plus the cost of asbestos abatement can add up quickly. Long story short, if you decide to renovate an old building, you may end up spending more than you would have if you built a facility from scratch.

Sustainability is another factor to consider. Because of the energy embodied in the materials used in construction, remodeling is often considered the eco-friendlier option; however, research has shown that new buildings can save energy. Plus, demolition waste can be reused and recycled.

Holly Construction, Inc. are one of the most trusted custom builders in Sonoma County. We are committed to helping facility owners make informed decisions. We will help you weigh the pros and cons of renovating an existing facility versus building a new one and enable better-informed decision-making. To learn more, call 707-541-0700.