Successfully Renovating An Occupied Lab

6 Tips for a Successful Renovation of the Occupied Lab

One of the biggest challenges lab managers face when renovating an occupied lab is protecting current operations. However, with the right team and planning, lab managers can maintain operations while upgrading their lab.

Considerations for Renovating a Working Lab

When a new build isn’t feasible due to a lack of funding or limitations at the project site, renovating your current space can be a great option. Below are some of the items worth discussing with your stakeholders to help determine if renovating is the best option:

• Complexity and duration of renovations
• Lab equipment needing to be moved, relocated, stored, or revalidated
• Impact on current operations and business goals
• Flexibility of current ventilation containment devices
• Cost and feasibility of moving all equipment and operations to a new site

6 Tips for Success

Follow these tips for a successful renovation.

1. Lab managers should engage early-on with a professional laboratory planners, designers and construction managers to determine a budget and schedule.
2. Plan a kickoff meeting to clarify roles and establish a line of communication between construction and design teams.
3. Seek to include lab user input whenever feasible and strive for a collaborative process between staff and management.
4. Provide a spec sheet of all specialty equipment that will be installed along with the lead time of each item.
5. Conduct a thorough on-site review during initial planning as building records and blueprints may not accurately reflect current conditions.
6. Consider a phased renovation approach with your design and construction teams.

At Colaborate we understand each team and project has unique needs. Learn more about our laboratory services and our work.

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