If you’re considering refurbishing a warehouse, factory, commercial unit or industrial building in the UK, one of the first questions will usually be:
How much is an industrial refurbishment going to cost?
The short answer is that there isn’t a single price per square metre that applies to every building.
A relatively modern warehouse requiring new roofing and cladding is a completely different project to a 40-year-old industrial building containing asbestos, damaged concrete, ageing drainage and outdated internal spaces. However, understanding what affects the cost of an industrial refurbishment can help building owners, landlords, developers and facilities managers budget properly and decide whether to repair, refurbish or replace their existing building.
At ACT Industrial, we deliver industrial and commercial refurbishment projects throughout the UK, bringing together roofing, cladding, asbestos removal, civils, groundworks, structural works, industrial doors and wider construction under one experienced team.
What Does an Industrial Refurbishment Cost?
The cost of refurbishing an industrial building in the UK depends heavily on its condition, size, specification and the amount of work required. A light refurbishment involving repairs, decoration and smaller upgrades will naturally cost considerably less than a complete industrial refurbishment involving a new roof, cladding, asbestos removal, concrete works, drainage and internal improvements. Rather than relying on a generic price per square metre, we recommend looking at the individual elements of the building.
These are some of the biggest factors affecting the final refurbishment cost.
1. Industrial Roofing
The roof can represent a significant part of an industrial refurbishment budget, particularly on large warehouses and factories.
The cost of replacing or refurbishing an industrial roof can be affected by:
* Total roof area
* Existing roof construction
* Condition of the existing structure
* Insulation requirements
* Rooflight replacement
* Gutter condition
* Access requirements
* Chosen roofing system
* Whether asbestos is present
* Whether the building must remain operational
Sometimes complete replacement isn’t necessary. Depending on its condition, an existing industrial roof may be suitable for refurbishment or an alternative remedial solution. ACT Industrial can assess the existing roof and recommend the most appropriate option rather than automatically assuming complete replacement is required.
2. Asbestos Removal
Asbestos is still commonly encountered in older UK industrial and commercial buildings. Cement-bonded asbestos roofing and cladding in particular can become an important consideration when refurbishing older warehouses and factories. If asbestos-containing materials are present, their safe removal and disposal need to be incorporated into the project programme and budget.
One advantage of using ACT Industrial is that asbestos removal can form part of the wider refurbishment project, allowing the removal and replacement works to be coordinated rather than requiring the client to manage several separate contractors.
3. Industrial Cladding
Replacing old or damaged wall cladding can completely transform an ageing industrial building. New industrial cladding can improve the appearance of the property while also providing an opportunity to improve insulation and weather protection.
Costs will depend on the area being replaced, chosen system, insulation requirements, access and the condition of the existing structure. For landlords and property owners preparing older industrial units for new tenants, roofing and cladding upgrades can be one of the most visually significant parts of a refurbishment.
4. Groundworks, Civils and Concrete
The building itself isn’t the only consideration.
Older industrial sites can require substantial work at ground level, including:
* Concrete floor repairs
* New concrete slabs
* Foundations
* Drainage improvements
* Yard repairs
* Service trenches
* External concrete
* Ground preparation
* Structural bases
This is an area that can sometimes be overlooked when initially budgeting for a warehouse refurbishment. Because ACT Industrial undertakes civils and groundworks alongside building refurbishment, these elements can be incorporated into the overall project.
5. Industrial Doors and Access
Older roller shutters, loading doors and personnel doors may also need upgrading as part of a refurbishment. Depending on the building, this could involve new roller shutters, sectional doors, fire doors or alterations to existing openings.
It makes sense to consider these requirements while roofing, cladding and structural works are already taking place rather than returning to them later.
6. Internal Warehouse and Office Refurbishment
Industrial refurbishment doesn’t have to stop at the external envelope. Many projects also involve improvements to internal warehouse and office areas. Depending on the requirements, works could include internal partitions, ceilings, flooring, decoration, mechanical and electrical upgrades and other improvements required to bring an older industrial property up to a modern standard.
This can be particularly important when refurbishing an existing building for a new tenant or change of use.
7. Can the Building Stay Operational During Refurbishment?
This can have a significant influence on both the programme and methodology of an industrial refurbishment. Closing an operational warehouse or factory for several months simply isn’t an option for many businesses. With careful planning, however, substantial refurbishment works can often be completed while the site remains operational.
ACT Industrial has experience delivering complex works on live commercial and industrial sites, carefully phasing work to minimise disruption while maintaining health and safety. For many businesses, maintaining operations can be just as important as the construction cost itself. Is It Cheaper to Refurbish or Build a New Industrial Building?
This is one of the most important questions to ask before committing to a major refurbishment.
If the main structure of an existing industrial building remains suitable, refurbishment can potentially extend its useful life significantly without the need for complete demolition and reconstruction. However, there comes a point where continually repairing an ageing building may stop representing good value.
If a property requires extensive structural alterations, complete roofing and cladding replacement, major floor reconstruction and substantial internal changes, it may be worth comparing refurbishment costs against a new building.
This is where ACT Industrial’s wider capabilities become particularly useful. We aren’t limited to refurbishment.
ACT Industrial can undertake repairs, major industrial refurbishments and complete new-build industrial projects, allowing us to look at the requirements of the site as a whole.
Should I Repair, Refurbish or Replace My Industrial Building?
A useful starting point is:
Repair when the building remains fundamentally sound and individual defects can be economically resolved. Refurbish when the main building remains suitable but significant elements such as roofing, cladding, floors, doors or internal areas require modernisation. Replace when the existing building no longer meets the operational requirements of the business or the extent of refurbishment required makes redevelopment worth considering. The correct answer depends entirely on the property. That’s why an experienced site assessment is so important.
Why Use One Contractor for an Industrial Refurbishment?
Large industrial refurbishments can quickly become complicated. A project could require separate companies for asbestos removal, roofing, cladding, steelwork, concrete, drainage, doors, internal works and project management.
Every additional contractor introduces another programme, another point of communication and another interface that needs managing. A turnkey industrial contractor can simplify that process. ACT Industrial can bring multiple elements of an industrial refurbishment together under one project, providing clients with a clear point of contact from the initial works through to completion.
How Long Does an Industrial Refurbishment Take?
Again, this depends on the building and scope.
A straightforward roofing or cladding project may be considerably quicker than a complete refurbishment involving asbestos removal, structural alterations, civils and internal works.
Other factors include:
* Building size
* Site access
* Material lead times
* Weather
* Existing building condition
* Operational requirements
* Asbestos
* Structural alterations
* Number of different trades required
Good planning at the beginning of the project is therefore essential.
Can ACT Industrial Refurbish Warehouses Anywhere in the UK?
Yes.
ACT Industrial is based in Leicestershire and is ideally positioned for industrial and commercial projects throughout Leicester and the Midlands, but our work isn’t limited to the local area. We undertake industrial construction and refurbishment projects throughout the UK. For the right project, we’ll travel.
What Types of Buildings Can ACT Industrial Refurbish?
Our industrial and commercial capabilities can be applied to a wide range of properties, including:
* Warehouses
* Factories
* Manufacturing facilities
* Distribution centres
* Storage buildings
* Commercial units
* Industrial estates
* Workshops
* Logistics facilities
* Agricultural and industrial buildings
Projects can range from an individual roof or cladding replacement through to extensive refurbishment or complete redevelopment.
Why Choose ACT Industrial for an Industrial or Warehouse Refurbishment?
With over 50 years of industry experience and a fully qualified team, ACT Industrial provides much more than a single construction trade.
Our capabilities include:
* Industrial and warehouse refurbishment
* Turnkey industrial buildings
* Commercial roofing
* Industrial roofing
* Industrial cladding
* Asbestos removal
* Groundworks
* Civils
* Concrete works
* Structural and steel building works
* Industrial doors
* Internal refurbishment
* New industrial buildings
* Complete project management
For clients, that means fewer interfaces to manage and one experienced team capable of taking responsibility for a substantial proportion or all of the project.
How Do I Get a Price for an Industrial Refurbishment?
The most reliable way to establish the cost is to properly assess the existing building and understand what you want the property to achieve. ACT Industrial can discuss your requirements, review the condition of the building and help establish the most appropriate route forward. Whether you’re dealing with an ageing warehouse roof, asbestos cladding, damaged concrete, an outdated industrial unit or a building requiring complete refurbishment, we can look at the project as a whole. And if refurbishment isn’t the most appropriate answer, our capabilities extend to complete turnkey new industrial buildings too.
Planning an Industrial or Warehouse Refurbishment?
If you’re searching for an industrial refurbishment contractor, warehouse refurbishment company, commercial roofing contractor, industrial cladding contractor, asbestos removal specialist or turnkey industrial building contractor in Leicester, Leicestershire, the Midlands or anywhere in the UK, talk to ACT Industrial. From the ground to the roof, we can manage the complete project.
ACT Industrial, industrial buildings, refurbishment, roofing, cladding, asbestos removal and turnkey construction across the UK.
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