Key Takeaways:
But there are a few corners you should absolutely not cut, no matter how tempting it may be. These choices directly impact your people, productivity, future growth, and, yes, even your long-term budget.
Below are the six design decisions that deserve a little extra thought (and why skipping them to save a few dollars now often leads to headaches - and a lot of wasted money - later).
Site management is all about how everything moves on your property: trucks, employees, visitors, materials, equipment—you name it. Right after deciding how much square footage you need, this is the most important design step.
You’ve probably had that moment backing out of a parking stall, thinking “Wow, this feels tighter and more awkward than it should.” That’s what happens when someone cuts a corner in site planning.
Before you even start sketching floor plans, these are the kinds of questions that absolutely must be considered and answered. They shape everything that comes next and can make the difference between a smooth, efficient site and one that constantly works against you.
The site should be designed efficiently; otherwise, significant money can be wasted. On average, the following site work can account for 5 - 15% of a project’s total cost.
Besides the potentially wasted money from inefficient design, the biggest complication is the effects that snowball from a poorly designed site. This includes water that doesn’t drain properly (endless problems in your future) or a traffic flow pattern that puts employee safety at risk.
We offer a broad range of in-house surveying and land development services to Northeastern Wisconsin. We provide professional, accurate, client-focused land surveying services of the highest quality to our clients. We can handle the site design ourselves or lead the design effort with a trusted civil engineering partner.
Get the insights you need to effectively plan your construction schedule.
Yes, you need to be mindful of budget. Everyone does. But starting with the lowest possible number is basically saying, “Let’s build the cheapest thing we can, no matter what.” And we know that’s not anyone’s real goal. You want a building that works, that lasts, and that your employees are comfortable in. And you absolutely deserve that.
Have a realistic budget established early. It’s easy to fall into the trap of having a champagne taste on a beer budget. Being in tune with a solid budget early will allow you to plan accordingly with capital planning and early discussions with lenders.
Saving a lot of money now can cost you a lot of money later. If you don’t get it right the first time, you may end up redesigning or rebuilding—and that wastes time, money, and opportunities. The sooner you get the project constructed correctly, the sooner you can start producing, fulfilling orders, and growing.
Our preconstruction process always starts with a feasibility budget that helps you see what’s viable early on. No guessing. No wishful thinking. Just a clear path forward.
Need a new building but worried about your budget? Learn more about build-to-lease options.
In the name of employee retention, in today's world, companies that are most successful in attracting employees are those that provide amenities that other companies don’t.
We’re not saying your facility has to look like Google’s headquarters; let’s just start with some basics, such as air conditioning inside manufacturing facilities. Years ago, that wasn't heard of. However, it is now a strongly considered amenity to attract and retain employees.
Developers and building project managers have to ask themselves the right questions in today’s ultra-competitive work environment, such as, “How much more productive will an employee be if they are comfortable in their conditions?” Equally important as it is to ask the right questions is to find the answers and follow through with them.
As such, air conditioning is now a standard amenity in many modern-day manufacturing facilities, so if you cut this corner in the name of budget, you may have a harder time finding the labor you need or keeping employees around.
We provide efficient designs for buildings to work in conjunction with climate-controlled environments. Designs such as the placement and location of windows that allow natural light but deny solar heat gain. Efficient building envelope design, such as eliminating thermal short-circuits, insulating to better than code minimum, and using an efficient structural design to work in tandem with HVAC equipment placement and eliminate otherwise unnecessary structural support.
We’re proud of our design-build process here at A.C.E., and we encourage you to check out our design-build service page to learn a little more about us!
Natural light used to be standard in industrial buildings. Then energy codes changed, windows shrank, and people got stuck working in giant metal boxes. Thankfully, modern technology lets you have energy efficiency and natural light. And your employees will thank you.
This question should actually be, “What can go right?” Studies show that people are more efficient, have better attitudes, and are overall happier working in environments with natural lighting or views to the outdoors compared to those working in environments without.
So what comes from happier, more efficient employees within your naturally-lit facility? More productivity from less fatigue and, not to mention, less turnover.
We can integrate elements such as windows, light tubes, skylights, or other daylighting measures into the building’s overall design. For example, Butler Manufacturing, our partner in pre-engineered metal materials, offers a skylight system that integrates directly with the MR-24 standing seam roof, ensuring that the skylights won’t become a future maintenance issue.
How much will my metal building cost? Here’s everything you should consider.
A.C.E. Building Service has been helping manufacturers across Northeast Wisconsin plan smarter, build better, and grow with confidence since 1963. Learn more about our history.
Break rooms aren’t just “nice touches.” They genuinely improve the employee experience. Whether traditional or modern, these spaces should help employees reset and recharge.
These spaces can be traditional or contemporary - whatever vibes with your organization’s culture. However, if at all possible, the designs of these spaces should incorporate natural light, windows, and access to conveniences such as Wi-Fi, device charging stations, or even fitness areas.
Again, the same concept as above; what you could be asking is, “What can go right?” Offering more or better amenities can better position a company to attract and retain talent and deliver a better overall work environment for your employees.
We’ve created countless employee spaces and know how to design them efficiently without breaking the budget. Check out our past industrial and manufacturing projects here!
Want to start designing your manufacturing facility, and not sure where to start? Check out our design gallery for inspiration!
As crucial as it is for your project to be designed for today’s needs, you should also keep the future top of mind. Designing a space for anticipated growth can eliminate wasted construction dollars down the road for the rework or redesign of areas.
The following can all go wrong if you don’t plan for your future growth or expansion:
We keep up-to-date on building trends and design ideas through webinars, design literature, product innovations, and strategic partnerships with design professionals and building trade professionals.
Our partnership with Butler Manufacturing keeps us at the forefront of innovation in pre-engineered metal building and systems construction. Butler is the industry leader in developing new products and offerings through systems construction.
Check out this blog post to learn about the future of industrial and manufacturing buildings.
Designing a manufacturing facility is a big undertaking, whether you’re building new, planning a major expansion, or updating an older industrial space. You deserve a partner who listens carefully, asks the right questions, and puts your goals first.
At A.C.E. Building Service, businesses across Manitowoc, Green Bay, Sheboygan, and the greater Northeast Wisconsin region trust us because we prioritize integrity, honesty, responsiveness, and clear communication—every time. It’s why companies continue to choose us as their preferred commercial contractor and long-term building partner.
If you're ready to talk through your project, we’re here to help. Give us a call or reach out online. We’d love to help you design a manufacturing space that supports your people today and positions your facility for future growth.