When the time comes to upgrade your facility, you’re faced with the choice between adding to an existing building design or creating an entirely new structure. Regardless of the choice you make, keeping the project on or under budget is one of the most important actions you can do. Creating an affordable design can seem like a challenge, but it’s easier than you might think. Here are a few tips to help you achieve the perfect balance between the ideal design and affordability.

5 Tips to Help You Create an Affordable Building Design

1. Be Mindful When Picking Materials

Instead of picking the first materials that meet your aesthetic needs, shop around. Look for options that are within your budget and compare prices from multiple providers. This will give you the best idea of how much the materials run and allow you to pick the best price for the supplies.

2. Opt for Simple Geometry

Office buildings have many standard design traits for a reason—they’re affordable, practical, and easy to construct. Instead of opting for unique geometry throughout the building, keep it simple. The easier it is to build, the lower the labor costs will be.  

3. Go Up, Not Out

Adding floors and vertical space is often more affordable than spreading out across the property. Instead of laying additional foundations or purchasing more property, you can simply increase the height of the building. This gives you an established foundation to work with and can lead to faster build times—without sacrificing space or design. Just make sure you work with an experienced structural engineer to ensure the building can handle the additional strain of new levels.

4. Make Use of Open Floor Plans

Open floor plans make the space feel more inviting and can encourage teamwork and communication with employees, but they also make the project more affordable. Fewer interior walls mean fewer materials required to frame out the space of the building. The fewer materials you use, the more affordable the project will be.

5. Prioritize Features

During the building design phase, create a list of all the features you would love to include in the project. Then, prioritize them. Make features that your team needs to be successful at the top of the list and the nice-to-have features can follow. If there’s money left in the budget after the must-have features are included, incorporate the additional options into the design.

Are you looking for help creating a functional and affordable building design? Contact Mid-Penn Engineering in Lewisburg, PA. Their dedicated team of structural and civil engineers will help you create a plan that fits your budget and design goals. Learn more about their services online, and call (570) 524-2214 to schedule a consultation with the civil engineering firm today.