Because of these complexities, projects that fail to account for animal care requirements adequately often encounter costly issues—many of which result in litigation. Below are real-world examples drawn from expert witness work, followed by proactive best practices construction professionals should apply to future animal care projects.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should consult a qualified attorney for advice regarding your specific situation.

Litigation Examples to Avoid in Your Animal Care Projects

As an animal care engineering expert, Scott Learned, president of Design Learned, has been hired as an expert witness in litigation involving animal care facilities in the United States. Scott Learned is a licensed mechanical engineer and a licensed electrical engineer as well as a LEED Accredited Professional. He is licensed in over 40 states and a subject matter expert on the design and engineering of animal care facilities. He has provided engineering and consultations on hundreds of animal shelters, veterinary hospitals, kennels, daycare and grooming facilities across the U.S. and Canada serving the companion animal industry exclusively since 1994. Learned is also a principal member of the National Fire Protection Association Standards Committee 150: Standard on Fire and Life Safety in Animal Housing Facilities.

Here are three examples of cases in which he provided expert witness testimony regarding the construction of the facility.

Problems With Outdoor Tuff

A dog daycare client experienced issues with newly installed turf at their animal care building and pursued legal action to resolve the problem. Scott was hired to evaluate the facility’s design and construction to determine the root causes of the failure. In short, he identified a couple of breakdown points in the building process.

To start, the civil engineer hired by the client did not design the site’s drainage properly. The engineer assumed sheet flow across the entire property, but water does not move across turf the same way it does over natural grass. Using this design, the contractor then installed turf on a non-compacted base, compounding the issue. As an expert witness, Learned explained how turf drains differently from grass and the complexities of the design requirements. Civil design must account for these differences to prevent water-related performance issues.

For contractors and construction professionals looking to avoid this problem, it is essential to ensure strong coordination and communication among the civil engineer, turf installer and general contractor. In this case, a lack of experience with animal-specific products led to costly consequences. Engineers working on these projects must understand or proactively learn about the properties of animal-care-specific systems and materials, and contractors should know when to voice concerns with design decisions.

Animal Care Buildings Require Specialized HVAC Systems

In another case, a facility struggled with the operational expenses associated with its new HVAC system. The original engineer and architect opted for a single, centralized HVAC system to serve the entire building. However, due to the unique demands of animal care environments, the system failed to provide adequate dehumidification and consistent temperature control throughout the facility.

Learned’s expert witness analysis revealed that HVAC design in animal care facilities must be approached holistically. These environments require careful consideration of odor control, airborne disease mitigation and the high-moisture loads generated by daily operations (including cleaning processes and continuous fresh-air intake). Effective systems typically consist of multiple smaller, independent zones and often include dedicated dehumidification systems to maintain appropriate environmental conditions.

For construction professionals, this case reinforces the importance of working with engineers who have direct experience in animal care facilities or who are willing to consult with animal care specialists. It is also critical to evaluate design decisions through an operational lens, ensuring that long-term energy use, maintenance and system performance are fully considered before construction begins.

Numerous Building Issues

In a third case, a facility encountered widespread problems throughout its animal shelter. Issues included flat flooring with no pitch in animal holding areas, an absence of drains or adequate cleaning systems, poor humidity control and improperly designed animal enclosures. Additionally, a vegetative roof was incorporated as a sustainability feature, but it proved incompatible with the facility’s operational demands.

Learned’s evaluation as an expert witness emphasized that animal care facilities must be designed and constructed as fully integrated systems.

• Flooring should be sloped toward trench drains in dog holding areas to support sanitation protocols.
• Cleaning systems must be built into the design.
• Environmental controls, such as independent dehumidification, must be properly engineered.

While sustainable features can and should be considered, they must align with the functional realities of animal care environments. Unfortunately, the vegetative roof was rotting soon after construction due to the high moisture levels in the building.

Another key takeaway from this case is the importance of using specialized manufacturers for critical components such as animal enclosures. These systems require a high level of specificity and durability, and only a limited number of manufacturers can produce products suitable for animal shelter use. Relying on general design solutions or custom-built enclosures without animal care expertise can lead to significant issues.

For contractors, this serves as a reminder to verify that the design team understands the limits of their expertise and has engaged appropriate specialists where necessary, particularly when addressing highly technical systems and components. It also serves to caution contractors of the incompatibility of certain sustainable designs with animal care facilities.

Proactive Best Practices When Taking on an Animal Care Facility Project

Here are three practices to keep in mind for an upcoming animal care project you may work on.

Ensure the design and plans you are working with are appropriate for animal care environments.

When taking on an animal care facility project, construction professionals must approach planning and execution with heightened diligence. These environments introduce unique operational, health and durability requirements that differ significantly from those of traditional commercial buildings. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems play a central role in meeting these demands. HVAC systems must incorporate adequate ventilation, fresh air exchange, dehumidification and high-quality air filtration to control airborne pathogens and maintain animal health. Plumbing systems must support rigorous cleaning protocols and effective drainage, while designs must also address odor control, noise mitigation and disease prevention. Material selection is equally critical, as finishes and systems must withstand frequent washdowns, moisture exposure and physical wear from animals.

Ensure the designers and engineers hired for the project are capable and experienced with animal care buildings.

Equally important is confirming that the design and engineering team has meaningful, proven experience with animal care facilities. Limited or isolated project experience is rarely sufficient for this type of work. Teams should demonstrate a track record of designing animal shelters, veterinary clinics or animal hospitals where animal care guidelines were fully integrated. Experienced professionals understand both technical systems and operational workflows. At the same time, even capable teams must recognize when to engage specialized animal care consultants for areas such as infection control, enclosure design or regulatory compliance. A working knowledge of animal care codes and standards is not optional—it is essential to delivering a compliant and functional facility.

Ensure everyone on the design and construction teams is willing to work collaboratively.

Collaboration across the entire project team is essential to delivering a successful outcome. Animal care facilities require close coordination among the owner, architect, engineers, contractor and specialty consultants throughout both design and construction. Early alignment and continuous communication help surface risks, resolve conflicts and ensure that the design intent is properly executed in the field. Construction administration should be comprehensive, with active involvement from the design team through site visits, submittal reviews and issue resolution. This level of coordination helps maintain quality and ensures the facility performs as intended after turnover.

One of the Most Complex Segments Within Construction

Animal care facilities are among the most complex and specialized segments of the construction industry. As the examples above demonstrate, even seemingly small missteps (such as improper drainage assumptions, inadequate HVAC design or a lack of coordination) can lead to significant operational failures and, ultimately, legal disputes. These are not isolated issues. They are predictable outcomes when the unique requirements of animal care environments are not fully understood or prioritized.

For construction professionals, the path forward is clear. Success in this space requires a proactive mindset, a willingness to engage specialized animal care expertise and a commitment to collaboration across all project stakeholders. By ensuring that designs are purpose-built for animal care, verifying that project teams have the right experience and maintaining strong coordination throughout the project lifecycle, you can reduce risk while delivering facilities that meet both performance and operational expectations.

Ultimately, building animal care facilities is not just about completing a project—it is about creating environments that support animal health, staff efficiency and long-term sustainability. Those who approach these projects with the right level of rigor and expertise will not only avoid costly setbacks but will also establish themselves as trusted partners in a highly specialized and growing sector.

SEE ALSO: MOST FREQUENT VALUE ENGINEERING PROBLEMS IN ANIMAL CARE FACILITIES

The post Did You Know: Unique Legal Considerations for Animal Care Facilities first appeared on Construction Executive.

Animal shelters, veterinary clinics and animal control buildings appear straightforward at first glance. Yet beneath that simple exterior lies a level of technical complexity that surpasses that of many other building types. Think about required ventilation rates, material durability requirements or intricate plumbing systems. All of these components converge within a single building environment.

If you are considering bidding on an animal care project, understanding these unique elements is essential for protecting your profit margin, setting realistic construction expectations and delivering a facility that performs as specified.

Study the Construction Documents

Unlike many commercial projects where contractors can rely on field adjustments or lean on design-build flexibility, animal care projects require contractors to be well-versed in all the construction documents from day one. This type of facility depends heavily on precise details and complex systems that run throughout the entire building. And small oversights early in the process can lead to significant coordination issues or costly change orders later for contractors.

So how can you prepare for this type of build? Start by thoroughly understanding all the construction documents—especially the mechanical, electrical and plumbing drawings. The mechanical plans often account for a significant portion of the project’s complexity. They are also a source of information that directly impacts other aspects of the build, from routing to equipment selection to structural coordination to envelope penetration.

It is also a best practice to get all your questions answered from the beginning. As you work through the documents, consult with the design team to receive any detailed clarifications you may need. Often, these clarifications and answers impact how contractors make decisions on procurement, scheduling and installation. Three aspects of construction that have significant investment impacts.

As contractors work through the construction documents, they are often surprised to see that animal care facilities often have far more mockups than traditional building projects. Another unique aspect is that many of the building components require field validation before complete implementation—from the finishes to kennel systems to waterproofing transitions to mechanical assemblies. Without validation, contractors are often responsible for correcting issues down the road.

A good rule of thumb is that if something seems unusually specific or heavily detailed, there is a reason behind it. And usually that reason is tied to an engineering requirement related to durability, sanitation or animal welfare. If a detail raises questions, it is far better to clarify than to assume.

Understand That MEP Systems Drive the Project

If there is one area that consistently surprises contractors new to animal care work, it is the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. These systems are not only more complex than those in most commercial buildings but often govern the entire project’s sequencing, costs and risk profile.

Modern animal care facilities must meet exceptionally high ventilation rates to control odor, disease transmission and humidity. At the same time, current energy codes require significant amounts of conditioned outside air, which drives the need for a dedicated outdoor air system. Introducing large volumes of outside air creates a unique challenge: humidity control. This is one of the most common points of failure in animal care buildings. The failure often occurs because dehumidification equipment is frequently targeted during value engineering decisions. Standard AC-based dehumidification only works when the cooling system operates. On cool, damp days (common in many parts of the country), the building may require moisture removal even when the air temperature does not call for cooling. And without dedicated dehumidification, moisture begins to accumulate on surfaces, odors intensify, mold becomes a real risk, and animals and staff experience uncomfortable, unhealthy conditions.

Contractors should confirm the specified dehumidification type and evaluate whether any suggested value-engineering options compromise system functionality. No one wants to be involved in post-construction litigation.

It is equally important to ensure that all of your subcontractors, especially mechanical subcontractors, fully understand the design intent. These systems must be sized, installed and controlled correctly. Otherwise, the building will never perform as designed and that could lead to legal challenges in the future. The long-term ramifications of improper humidity control often far outweigh any up‑front cost savings.

Choose Subcontractors Carefully

The quality of any building project often reflects the quality of its subcontractors. Nowhere does this ring truer than in animal care construction. Not every plumbing, HVAC or flooring subcontractor has the experience or technical knowledge needed for environments that experience frequent wash-down cycles, heavy moisture and high sanitation demands.

• Ensure your MEP subs are comfortable with complex ventilation systems, pressure differentials between rooms, chemical-resistant equipment, specialized drainage and wash-down systems.
• Ensure your waterproofing subs must execute details with precision, as even minor lapses can lead to major failures.
• Ensure your flooring installers understand resinous systems and moisture mitigation.

Choosing subs based solely on price can put your entire project at risk. If a sub does not have direct experience in animal care, explore whether they have successfully worked in similar environments, such as laboratories, food processing facilities, clean rooms or smaller animal care projects.

Don’t Underestimate the Material Requirements

Materials used in animal care facilities are subject to conditions well beyond those typical in commercial construction. Every surface must withstand moisture, chemical exposure, animal abrasion and frequent cleaning. Contractors sometimes underestimate the cost, lead times and installation complexity of these products. The lower four feet of walls, for example, take the most abuse and must be finished with materials that resist scratching, impact and moisture. Traditional drywall is normally unacceptable except in specific low‑risk areas.

Flooring presents another challenge. Simple sealed concrete rarely holds up under continuous washing and chemical use. High‑performance resinous coatings or specialized flooring systems are usually required to meet the animal care facility’s sanitation, durability and moisture-resistance needs. Even doors, frames and casework must be moisture‑tolerant, which often means stainless steel or solid polymer materials.

It is also important to assume that any room—even administrative or office spaces—may ultimately house animals during overflow or emergency conditions. Build with that logic in mind.

Prepare for Strict Acoustic Requirements

While many contractors expect odor and durability challenges in animal care buildings, fewer anticipate the acoustic demands. Noise control (particularly related to barking dogs) drives several major design decisions. To meet acoustic requirements, many shelters rely on grouted and filled CMU walls, walls that extend to the deck or hard‑lid ceilings instead of suspended acoustical tiles. These requirements increase both labor and materials costs. Further, they can complicate coordination with mechanical and electrical systems.

To add to the challenge, many standard sound‑absorbing products are not acceptable in wet or washable environments because they are porous and can harbor moisture or bacteria. As a result, acoustic performance often requires specialized products or assemblies that may differ significantly from what estimators encounter in other building types.

Plan for Disease and Odor Control Measures

Infection control and odor management are not optional in animal care facilities. They are fundamental to the building’s functionality. This introduces a layer of technical complexity that rivals healthcare construction.

• Exhaust systems must be strategically located and routed to prevent cross‑contamination.
• Surfaces in every room—from holding areas to exam spaces to laundry rooms—must be easy to sanitize and moisture-resistant.
• Drainage systems require precise coordination, from trench drains to sloped floors to backflow prevention.
• Pressure relationships between spaces must be maintained through careful MEP balancing to keep odors and contaminants confined to appropriate zones.

Misunderstanding or overlooking these requirements almost always leads to costly change orders, rework or post‑occupancy complaints.

Expect Active Construction Administration

Another aspect that often surprises contractors is the high level of involvement from the design team during construction. Animal care projects are rarely a simple punch-list situation. Instead, the design team typically participates actively throughout construction. Common ways include:

• Attending coordination meetings
• Reviewing detailed submittals
• Clarifying field conditions
• Conducting regular site visits

The focus is not micromanagement but rather proactive risk mitigation. The complexity of MEP systems, waterproofing details, kennel assemblies and finishes requires close oversight to ensure the building performs as intended. Catching issues early and ultimately correcting them before they escalate protects both the owner and the contractor.

Bidding on an animal care facility requires more preparation, more technical understanding and more coordination than most standard commercial buildings. When contractors take the time to review the drawings thoroughly, engage early with the design team, select experienced subcontractors, respect the HVAC and humidity‑control requirements, and recognize the environment’s durability and acoustic needs, projects run more smoothly with fewer surprises.

Animal care buildings may be challenging, but they are also deeply rewarding. When well constructed, they support communities, protect animals and serve as a testament to the contractor’s technical capability. With the right approach and awareness, your team can deliver a high‑performing facility that serves its staff, animals and community for years to come.

SEE ALSO: TOP FIVE CONSIDERATIONS FOR PRECONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATING FOR ANIMAL CARE FACILITIES

The post What Contractors Need to Know Before Bidding on an Animal Care Project first appeared on Construction Executive.

Value engineering is a practice that contractors and construction professionals use when they need to meet budget requirements and make real-time decisions regarding products or systems before or during construction. The idea is to maximize the value derived from the cost realities encountered during construction. Value engineering is a critical practice that helps construction stay on time and within budget. Without a thorough understanding of animal care facilities, a contractor’s effort to value engineer an aspect of a project can sometimes lead to a problem—or a set of problems. Here are the top five problems animal care experts and building engineers encounter when value engineering for animal care facilities specifically:

Dehumidification

As a best practice, engineers often design animal care facilities with extensive dehumidification in mind. In other facility types, engineers typically rely on rooftop units to handle dehumidification needs themselves. However, animal care facilities are extremely wet environments with high fresh-air requirements, along with frequent odor and disease issues—regardless of geography. With that in mind, engineers often specify a series of independent units to handle the unique dehumidification needs within the facility.

The Susquehanna SPCA is an excellent example of an animal shelter that utilizes independent units within its building.

Animal care and building engineers experts strongly recommend against attempting to value engineer dehumidification systems during the construction phase under any circumstances.

Exhibit A: Value engineering dehumidification systems is the number one issue animal care engineers at Design Learned encounter when conducting expert witness services for construction litigation and remediation.

Flooring

The everyday wear and tear on typical flooring uses is nothing compared to what flooring in animal care facilities experience. Animals can be everywhere within animal care facilities depending on the need and circumstance—even in spaces labeled ‘non-animal’ such as offices and break rooms. Due to constant use by animals, flooring decisions are crucial. As a best practice, designers will specify flooring that can withstand water, humidity, dog claws and cleaning chemicals (such as accelerated hydrogen peroxide).

For dog-holding areas, building engineers regularly specify fluid-applied epoxy or urethane flooring with a flake and double polyurethane topcoat that has an integral cove. In more public spaces, they often specify porcelain tile with epoxy grout for aesthetic purposes.

At times, contractors and construction professionals substitute flooring specifications with products like polished concrete or luxury vinyl tile; however, these products often present lasting issues in animal care facilities. Odor and mold issues usually arise with water exposure and urine contamination that seeps through the flooring. These issues require extensive upkeep after installation and costly remediation expenses.

Franklin County Humane Society is an excellent example of an animal care facility that uses animal-smart flooring selections throughout the facility.

Wall Substrates

Another way that contractors and construction professionals sometimes attempt to value engineer is by reducing the wall substrate to gypsum board from a more durable cementitious product. In other facility types, this may be a solution that works; however, in animal care facilities, this welcomes accelerated mold growth and odor issues due to the constant use of water and humidity within the buildings. Due to the presence of water and moisture, the substrates must be strong. Engineers often specify a cement board product or masonry in animal care facilities, particularly for dog areas where staff will spray down the walls. If a reduction in wall substrate is necessary, a possible option may be to retain the lower four feet of cement board and explore other options for the area above the four feet or the drop ceiling. Wall substrates are crucial to the longevity of an animal care facility.

The SPCA of Texas is an excellent example of an animal care facility that utilizes cement board as a solution to mold issues.

Plumbing System Sizing

There is a lot of plumbing that goes into an animal care facility. In addition to typical drainage fixtures used in commercial office buildings, animal care facilities use trench drains, wet tables, flush fixtures and floor drains. That means that simply meeting minimum code requirements, as opposed to utilizing the specified plumbing systems, will likely cause those systems to be massively undersized for the building’s use.

Designing a plumbing system to the code minimum for this building type will lead to issues such as clogging, which in turn will cause odor and disease issues. These undersized plumbing systems will cause significant problems. Companies like Design Learned can collaborate with animal care facilities on their remediation efforts, and the contractors are held accountable for correcting the plumbing issues.

Fairfax County Animal Shelter is an excellent example of an animal care facility that utilizes properly sized plumbing systems.

Floor Plan Reductions

When construction is underway and budgets are tight, contractors and construction professionals may consider reducing the floor plan and square footage of the facility. Again, with other facility types, that may be a logical option. However, due to the unique nature of all the systems and space requirements within an animal care facility, it is not that simple.

Over the years, animal care experts and engineers have observed contractors reducing the entire floor plan by a percentage during the construction phase to meet a lower budget target. The problem with reducing the overall floor plan by a percentage is that all the spaces become too small and unusable for the unique functions of an animal care facility.

If contractors and construction professionals must make reductions to the floor plan, engineers recommend working with the project’s design team to remove one or two functions completely from the building. For instance, contractors may choose to collaborate with the project’s design team to reduce office capacity or decrease animal capacity throughout the building.

The last function that contractors should remove is storage. Animal care facilities are often undersized when it comes to storage to begin with.

The Austin Animal Center is an excellent example of an animal care facility that features an efficient floor plan, maximizing animal capacity within its square footage.

Animal care facilities demand specialized design and construction due to their distinct operational and environmental requirements. While value engineering can be a powerful tool for managing budgets and streamlining construction, contractors and construction professionals must ensure they understand the complexity of animal care facilities. Missteps in areas such as dehumidification, flooring, wall substrates, plumbing and floor planning can lead to costly, long-term issues that compromise the facility’s effectiveness, quality and longevity. By collaborating closely with experienced design engineers and respecting the critical infrastructure needs of animal care environments, contractors and construction professionals can make informed decisions that balance cost with performance.

SEE ALSO: SEEING THE LIGHT: UPPERROOM DALLAS AND THE FUTURE OF CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

The post Most Frequent Value Engineering Problems in Animal Care Facilities first appeared on Construction Executive.

Contractors must be well-prepared from the start. If you’re tasked with pre-construction cost estimating for one of these facilities, here are five key considerations to keep in mind:

1. Understand the Unique Environment

Animal care facilities are 24/7 operations. Even when the front door is locked, the building is in full use—housing cats, dogs, birds, barn animals and many other types of animals. These facilities are noisy, messy, extremely wet and exposed to odors, bacteria and potential disease outbreaks far more frequently than traditional human medical or retail buildings.

Different species have varying behavior patterns and levels of destructiveness. That means architects and engineers typically specify highly specialized products and systems, many of which are not standard in other commercial construction projects. Estimators must account for the cost of these custom solutions early in the process to provide accurate numbers to the client.

2. Plan for Complex MEP Systems

Mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems in animal care facilities are more robust and complex than those in typical commercial buildings and they require highly qualified subcontractors for proper installation.

Here are a few MEP-specific considerations:

HVAC Zones: These facilities benefit from multiple small, independent HVAC zones rather than one large system. This helps manage odors, contain airborne pathogens and adjust temperature for animal comfort across different areas. Each zone requires its own ductwork, adding cost and coordination complexity.

Drainage Systems: Sloped trench drains with automated rinse systems are often specified to manage the heavy accumulation of pet hair, dander and dirt. The use of two separate sanitary lines is required as well—one for solid waste, sinks and toilets, and the other for wet waste that uses a hair trap. These must be installed precisely to ensure long-term performance.

Lighting: Because of round-the-clock use and animal routines, lighting systems need to be flexible. Adjustable lighting levels help support various activities—rest, feeding, grooming or play—throughout the day and night that aid in maintaining the circadian rhythm for the animals.

Dehumidification: With constant washing, wet floors and high levels of outdoor air, dehumidification is essential to prevent mold, disease and odor, as well as maintain air quality and protect building materials.

RCP Coordination: The reflected ceiling plan requires special attention due to the number of overlapping systems—HVAC, lighting, plumbing, sprinklers and more.

Fixtures: Flush-mounted fixtures and hose reels are often used for sanitation and functionality in every dog holding room. Mop and bucket cleaning will not suffice.

Installations must be flawless, as improperly executed systems can compromise both building performance and animal welfare. Cost estimators must factor in the expertise and additional coordination needed for MEP trades.

3. Specify Durable Architecture and Finishes

Like MEP systems, animal care facilities’ architectural finishes must be tough, hygienic and purpose-built. Every area in a shelter from animal holding to the breakroom to offices will house animals at some point and must be built to withstand them.

Key features include:

Flooring: The flooring must withstand water, claws, cleaning chemicals and frequent exposure to animal waste. Troweled epoxy/urethane coatings are standard, especially in animal holding and clinical areas with sloped floors and integral cove bases. For more decorative areas, porcelain tile with epoxy grout may be used.

Sloped Concrete: In dog-holding areas, floors are typically sloped to facilitate cleaning. Concrete must be installed to exact specifications—requiring experienced subcontractors familiar with these applications and complex sloping requirements.

Wall Systems: Walls must be scratch-resistant, waterproof and sound-absorbing. Unlike standard gypsum drywall, CMU or cement board with sound transmission class ratings over 65 are commonly specified in high-traffic and extremely wet zones. Epoxy paint is typically required throughout.

Caging Systems: Manufactured enclosure systems are strongly recommended and they must be coordinated and installed correctly to avoid significant rework. It’s often best to budget for manufacturer-led installation which, while more expensive upfront, ensures proper fit and long-term durability.

Interior Doors and Windows: Doors should be exterior-grade fiberglass with stainless steel kick plates and continuous hinges. They should also be gasketed and swept. Windows need to be double-paned with air gaps, similar to storefront systems, for sound and thermal control. Wood should never be used in this building type. If hollow metal frames must be used, they should be primed inside and out with a marine grade primer.

Acoustic Treatment: Barking dogs, loud equipment and high ceilings create significant reverberation issues. Proper acoustic design in lobbies and common areas is essential and often overlooked.

Estimators must recognize that standard interior finishes will not suffice. Cost assumptions must reflect upgraded materials and specialized labor, especially in key areas subject to high wear and sanitation protocols.

4. Examine Drawings and Specifications

Animal care facilities require detailed and complete construction documents. If you’re estimating from vague or incomplete plans, consider it a red flag.

MEP complexity, finish quality and specialized systems should all be clearly documented. If the drawings and specifications are lacking, assume your cost estimate is at risk. These are high-use, high-maintenance buildings that require durable construction and thoughtful design. Everything—from mechanical design to cage placement—must be designed and built with longevity in mind.

Be proactive: ask questions, flag unclear scopes, and work with the design team to ensure clarity and accuracy before finalizing the budget.

5. Collaborate with Design Professionals

Partnering early with architects and engineers experienced in animal care facility design can make or break your estimate. Certain firms often work closely with contractors during the pre-construction phase to ensure all critical elements are accounted for within the estimate.

For example, on the Cedar Bend Humane Society project, Design Learned Inc. collaborated with the construction manager by reviewing the initial budget before it was presented to the client. DLI’s feedback helped the construction team adjust the estimate to reflect realistic costs for specialized systems and finishes—ultimately leading to a realistic estimate.

Whether it’s validating pricing, clarifying scope or recommending alternatives, leveraging design professionals well versed in a certain commercial vertical, like veterinary or animal care facilities, can help ensure your estimate is aligned with project realities.

Final Thoughts

Animal care facilities are not your typical commercial project. Their unique operational demands—24/7 use, high sanitation standards, aggressive wear conditions—require an entirely different approach to cost estimating. By understanding the intricacies of these buildings and collaborating closely with design professionals who understand this building type, contractors can develop more accurate budgets, minimize surprises during construction and deliver successful outcomes for their clients.

SEE ALSO: USE JOBSITE CAMERAS FOR CONSTRUCTION MARKETING

The post Top Five Considerations for Preconstruction Cost Estimating for Animal Care Facilities first appeared on Construction Executive.