Medical construction is one the most complex types of commercial projects to undergo. In addition to important budget and timeline concerns that influence the build approach, so too does the heavily regulated construction process.

Ensuring compliance with strict safety and construction standards regulated in Florida by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is paramount to the success of the hospital renovation or expansion. Any missteps during the build process could render the site unusable as a medical facility.

What to Consider When Renovating or Expanding a Hospital

As hospitals contemplate the future of their facilities and address the long-term needs of their staff and community, important considerations regarding the operational efficiency and functionality of the building will impact the decisions they make in terms of where and how to expand the facility.

A big factor that plays into determining how much a renovation or expansion will cost and if such design goals are even feasible is the existing site infrastructure. With your contractor, you should evaluate your current infrastructure through a technical lens and ask important questions, such as:

• What building code considerations might impact construction goals? For example, are there floor-to-ceiling height limitations that could make renovations more challenging or costly than an alternative solution, like building new?
• From a systems perspective, how does existing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing align with renovation and expansion opportunities?
• What is the projected life span of the building as is, and how do estimated costs compare between leveling up all aspects of the facility versus building new?

Understanding the existing building infrastructure will influence how much a renovation will cost and its associated timeline. Most hospital renovations and expansions require a phased approach to construction in order to minimize the impact on daily operations, but this also means the project may take longer.

At Seacoast Construction, we can’t stress enough the importance of doing your due diligence prior to kicking off a commercial project. There’s simply too much at stake to overlook potential missed opportunities.

Our experienced team has the construction knowledge to look several layers deeper and can explain the impact infrastructure limitations may have on your build goals, budget, and timeline. Contact us to learn more and schedule a consultation to discuss your project.