In this episode of Tuesday Tips, we were joined by Michael Soh to discuss realistic construction timelines that help school leaders plan facility projects without disrupting operations.
Here are this session’s top 3 tips:
- Start planning as early as possible—ideally a year ago. Realistic timelines for school projects range from one year minimum to three-plus years depending on scope. Design takes 3-12 months, permitting can take 1-4 months (or 12-18 months in states like California with CEQA requirements), and construction ranges from 2 months for small remodels to 36 months for multi-building projects. The moment your school needs additional space, get an architect or consultant on board.
- The preconstruction phase is where most delays happen. Design and permitting create the most hiccups. Finding and engaging your architect and contractor team can take 6 months alone. Strong design sets with peer review help avoid multiple permitting resubmissions (Michael has seen projects require 6+ rounds). Plan for unknowns like long lead times on HVAC equipment (8 months), hidden issues behind walls, and stakeholder-driven design changes.
- Build contingency time for unavoidable delays. Academic calendar restrictions, labor shortages during summer construction season, utility location issues, environmental discoveries, and slow permitting processes all impact timelines. Phased construction (keeping school operational during work) takes longer and costs more due to efficiency constraints. The larger and more complex your project, the more contingency time you need.
Watch the Full Conversation Here
