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Writer's pictureHannah Skidmore, MBA

Which Building Option Is Right for You: Pre-Engineered or Ground Up?

Two Types of Buildings


Folks often ask the Design Learned team questions about the different types of buildings that can be constructed. Animal care professionals often have heard of pre-engineered structures and ground-up buildings but aren’t quite sure of the nuances related to each type. As animal care facility building professionals, we understand the advantages and disadvantages of both options and work with our clients to make the best decision for their specific situations. We typically recommend traditionally constructed buildings for animal shelters, boarding facilities, and veterinary hospitals; but there are times when a pre-engineered building makes more sense. 


Pre-Engineered Buildings


Pre-engineered buildings often consist of a shell of a building. The shell, generally, comes to the project site mostly complete. Picture a typical metal warehouse exterior.


Pros of Pre-engineered Building


  • Pre-engineered buildings can be erected quickly! The quick pace can help with project timeline requirements and seasonal weather constraints.

  • With pre-engineered buildings, exterior walls are less costly than a traditionally constructed building.


Cons of Pre-engineered Building


  • Pre-engineered buildings have fewer options and less customization than traditionally constructed buildings. Fewer options and less customization often lead to inefficiencies and compromises on the floor plan for animal care purposes.

  • Pre-engineered buildings are often ill-equipped for animal care use. In order to meet the noise control and MEP requirements, folks have to spend a lot of money bolstering the exterior walls of the pre-engineered building to have the performance standards required for animal care use. This typically washes out any cost savings you may get from using a pre-engineered building.

  • From a visual perspective, this building type may not be as aesthetically pleasing as a traditionally constructed building.


Ground Up Buildings


Group-up buildings are considered customer buildings that are framed on a foundation; they do not come preassembled.


Pros of Ground-Up Buildings


  • Ground-up buildings allow for unlimited customization of the building's shape and layout.

  • Building engineers intentionally plan noise control and MEP designs for the building's systems and walls and can even dictate the layout and shape of the building so that it is best suited for animal care.

  • Ground-up buildings allow for aesthetic customization of the exterior of the building.


Cons of Ground-Up Buildings


  • Ground-up buildings take more time to erect than pre-engineered buildings. This can be a problem in some geographic regions that often have bad weather, and it can also be a problem if the shell needs to be built before winter hits. 

  • Ground-up buildings require more construction trades to complete the exterior of the building.


Every Project is Unique


The Design Learned team of building experts typically recommends traditionally constructed buildings for animal care. Generally speaking, ground-up building advantages outweigh pre-engineered buildings' benefits. However, every project is unique and requires thorough deliberation between the building types. Call us at 860-889-7078 or schedule an online consultation to find a time to meet with the Design Learned team of building experts and engineers. We can discuss the pros and cons of each building type and weigh all the options to find a solution that works best for you.

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