Why Does Construction Appear to Cost So Much- MSU Physical Plant
Division
For information on initiating a service request, call 3-1760
or click here!
Why Does
Construction on Campus Appear to Cost So Much?
- The Physical
Plant develops Preliminary Cost Assessments as a free service to
the campus to aid in management decisions. It is done without benefit
of drawings and detailed investigation.
- Occasionally,
upon receipt of a construction cost "estimate" for a
building alteration, campus clients have related they experienced
"sticker shock."
- Many people
make the comparison with costs they have experienced in their own
homes, frequently on do-it-yourself projects, where only the cost
of building materials is taken into account. Those who have recently
altered a kitchen or bathroom, or added a fully heated and air-conditioned
room on their home, realize that building alterations are very
costly.
- Houses
are relatively simple structures with uncomplicated environmental,
electrical and communications systems.
- The major buildings
on the MSU campus are very complicated, usually multi-storied,
with complex systems and are governed by codes and regulations
far more restrictive than those governing house construction.
-
Some Examples:
-
NFPA
(National Fire Protection Association) - Fireproofing, egress and
fire suppression
-
ADA
(Americans with Disabilities Act) - Accessibility for persons with
disabilities
-
BOCA
(Building Officials and Code Administrators) Building Code - Minimum
regulations for protection of public health and safety, including
asbestos and lead removal/remediation
-
ASHRAE
(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning
Engineers) - Air changes, percent outdoor air, energy conservation
- It is a rare
alteration project on campus that doesn=t require engineering and/or
architectural design due to the unique configuration and/or sophistication
of the building system.
- In order to
keep maintenance operating costs at the lowest possible level, as well
as assure campus security, commercial grade long life items such as
doors, windows and hardware are required.
- Contractors
performing work on the MSU campus must include in their bid: prevailing
wages, insurance, overhead, profit, workers compensation and business
activities taxes.
Do not hesitate to call
the individual who prepared the Preliminary Cost Assessment or any other
Physical Plant manager to discuss concerns. The Physical Plant Division is
committed to identifying low cost and effective solutions to the campus facility
challenges.