Laboratories, from those serving medical establishments to those supporting biotechnological research, can eventually experience a need for additional space. As the scale or scope of operations increases, so does the need for more space for extra equipment, lab techs, storage, etc. Moving a lab to a new location is not as simple as packing everything into a truck and unpacking it in another.
There are many other considerations: the sensitivity of the equipment, potential regulatory requirements, and the overall complexity of re-establishing a lab elsewhere.
The average laboratory move often exceeds $100,000 in cost. However, investing time in advance planning and working with an experienced lab moving company can help manage your budget and avoid overspending.
Here’s what to know about calculating the costs of lab relocation.
Most Common Factors Influencing Lab Move Costs
Where does all the time and labor go when planning a lab move? There are many areas to explore. The specific cost of each factor will vary based on the size of your lab, the equipment involved, and the timeline required. Here are the primary cost categories to consider.
Equipment Disassembly and Reinstallation
Labs generally contain a large amount of specialized equipment that may require specific disassembly procedures to maintain component integrity. Removing equipment is also a cost, as bulky or heavy items may require additional support to be transported carefully out of the old lab location.
Equipment Reinstallation
Moving uninstalled equipment to the new lab is just the first step. The entire installation and setup process must be redone, too. More equipment, particularly more specialized equipment, will make these costs higher.
Equipment Calibration and Compliance Testing
Simply reinstalling equipment in the new location is not enough. You will also need to validate that all the equipment still functions within the appropriate tolerances and that no damage has occurred. You may also need to recalibrate equipment or take other steps to achieve compliance with lab regulations.
Specialized Packaging Needs
The fragile and sensitive nature of most equipment necessitates special packaging requirements. More than your regular bubble wrap and boxes, you’ll need to anticipate the costs of pallets, crates and other packaging materials.
Specific Transportation Requirements
Transporting some lab equipment and consumables can be dangerous. You may need to use drivers with specific hazardous material endorsements or specialized vehicles for transport.
Insurance Costs
Insurance provides valuable peace of mind when transporting expensive and professional lab equipment. However, it has an impact on the cost of your relocation. Bigger labs with more hardware will likely have a larger insurance premium to cover the potential risks. Some movers also offer protection as part of their standard quoting processes.
Watch Out for These Often Hidden Costs
While the above list represents the biggest and most significant costs, there are other areas of planning to consider. Without a plan of action to contend with these elements, your business could face additional costs. What are they?
Facility Downtime
Any time the lab is inactive could potentially represent lost revenue. The longer the lab remains out of commission, the larger the possible loss. An approach that facilitates a fast, efficient, and safe lab move is essential for savings.
Temporary Storage Demands
You may need temporary storage if you have not yet secured a new location or if some areas in your new space are not ready for equipment installation. Even more, your lab equipment and materials may require specific temperature or humidity-controlled storage. Again, good planning can minimize the duration of relying on extra storage.
Facility Readiness
If the facility you intend to move into is not ready on time, it can cause costly delays to your moving project. Certifications, such as zoning or specialty regulation permits, are often an issue, especially in areas with long wait times for approval.
Managing the Costs of Your Move
With so many expense factors, proper budgeting is essential to avoid surprises. Good planning ensures the integrity of the lab across the move and keeps downtime to a minimum. How can you improve the pre-relocation to keep the total cost down?
First, develop a clear picture of the moving elements, from the type of equipment you need to transport to the estimated total volume of the objects to move. Understand the scope of your project before you begin. Successful moves are often managed by Project Managers so it’s important to choose a relocation partner that plays an active role in pre-planning.
Second, budget for those elements well in advance. Create cost estimates and obtain quotes to grasp the total expense fully. This step simplifies cost comparisons and forecasting.
Third, consider the value of experience in the provider of lab moving services you select. Lab moves are a specialized process that requires more knowledge and skills than typical moves. A business with many years of experience and proven success in lab moves, such as Meyer, can help simplify and streamline your move. With a trusted resource, you can achieve cost transparency and efficiency in moving.
Preserve Your Lab During a Move With Experienced Help
Executing a successful lab move is not always easy. However, when done well, it can minimize downtime, maintain equipment integrity, and ensure your organization can return to its important work as soon as possible. The right partner helps ensure your equipment remains protected and that you fully comply with all industrial and regulatory standards, all while minimizing unnecessary costs.
At Meyer, we’re exceedingly experienced in projects involving research laboratories and hospital or clinical laboratories, including the relevant regulations. We understand the need to protect your investment and safeguard it for the next stage of operations. Find out more from our team today about how we can support your goals during your next critical project.
