Lab Renovation Checklist: 50 Things to Verify Before Day One - lab renovation checklist

Lab Renovation Checklist: 50 Things to Verify Before Day One

Viktor LABS

Lab renovations fail when teams skip steps. This checklist covers every critical item across six phases — from initial planning through move-in day. Print it, share it with your team, and check off each item as you go.

Phase 1: Project Planning (Weeks 1–4)

  1. ☐ Define the lab’s primary function and research activities
  2. ☐ Identify all user groups and their space requirements
  3. ☐ Establish a realistic budget (see our Lab Furniture Cost Guide)
  4. ☐ Set a target completion date and work backward to create milestones
  5. ☐ Identify all regulatory and compliance requirements (OSHA, EPA, local codes)
  6. ☐ Assemble the project team: facilities, EHS, researchers, procurement, IT
  7. ☐ Inventory all equipment that will be relocated vs. replaced
  8. ☐ Document existing utility infrastructure (gas, water, electrical, data, exhaust)
  9. ☐ Determine if the renovation requires building permits
  10. ☐ Engage a lab design specialist early — before committing to layouts (free consultation available)

Phase 2: Design & Specification (Weeks 4–10)

  1. ☐ Create a detailed floor plan with furniture, equipment, and utility locations
  2. ☐ Select casework materials based on chemical exposure (materials comparison)
  3. ☐ Specify fume hood type, size, and quantity (buying guide)
  4. ☐ Select countertop materials for each zone (epoxy, phenolic, stainless, laminate)
  5. ☐ Specify bench types — fixed, adjustable, island, or mobile
  6. ☐ Plan electrical: circuit count, outlet placement, dedicated circuits for equipment
  7. ☐ Plan plumbing: sink locations, DI water, gas lines, waste drainage
  8. ☐ Plan HVAC: exhaust CFM requirements, supply air balancing, temperature control
  9. ☐ Specify safety equipment: eyewash stations, safety showers, fire extinguishers
  10. ☐ Specify chemical storage: flammable cabinets, acid cabinets, corrosive storage
  11. ☐ Review ADA accessibility requirements for all work areas
  12. ☐ Finalize furniture specifications with SEFA compliance requirements

Phase 3: Procurement & Lead Times (Weeks 8–16)

  1. ☐ Get competitive quotes from at least 2–3 lab furniture suppliers
  2. ☐ Confirm lead times for all furniture and equipment (custom casework: 8–16 weeks)
  3. ☐ Identify items available from quick-ship inventory to reduce timeline risk
  4. ☐ Order long-lead items first (fume hoods, custom casework, specialty equipment)
  5. ☐ Coordinate furniture delivery dates with construction milestones
  6. ☐ Confirm installation services and scheduling
  7. ☐ Review and approve shop drawings before manufacturing begins
  8. ☐ Establish a staging area for furniture delivery

Phase 4: Construction & Infrastructure (Weeks 10–20)

  1. ☐ Demolish and remove existing furniture and fixtures
  2. ☐ Rough-in plumbing, electrical, and gas per the approved plan
  3. ☐ Install HVAC ductwork and exhaust systems
  4. ☐ Complete flooring — chemical-resistant, seamless preferred
  5. ☐ Install ceiling grid and lighting — confirm lux levels meet lab requirements
  6. ☐ Run data and communication cabling
  7. ☐ Complete wall finishes (chemical-resistant paint or FRP panels as needed)
  8. ☐ Pass all building inspections before furniture installation begins

Phase 5: Furniture Installation & Equipment (Weeks 18–24)

  1. ☐ Receive and inspect all furniture before installation begins
  2. ☐ Install casework, benches, and countertops per the approved layout
  3. ☐ Install and connect fume hoods — verify ductwork connections
  4. ☐ Connect plumbing to sinks, eyewash stations, and gas fixtures
  5. ☐ Install safety equipment in correct locations per code
  6. ☐ Install chemical storage cabinets and shelving
  7. ☐ Connect and test all electrical — circuits, outlets, data ports

Phase 6: Commissioning & Move-In (Weeks 22–26)

  1. ☐ Certify all fume hoods (ASHRAE 110 testing, face velocity verification)
  2. ☐ Test all safety equipment — eyewash, showers, gas shutoffs, fire suppression
  3. ☐ Balance HVAC system — verify air changes per hour, temperature, and humidity
  4. ☐ Conduct a full walkthrough with EHS, facilities, and lab users
  5. ☐ Create a punch list for any remaining items and set completion deadlines

Pro Tips for a Smoother Renovation

  • Start furniture procurement early. Custom lab casework has the longest lead time in most projects. Order as soon as designs are approved.
  • Keep a buffer in your budget. Lab renovations typically exceed initial estimates by 10–20%. Build contingency into your budget from day one.
  • Don’t skip the design phase. A professional lab layout catches conflicts between furniture, equipment, and infrastructure before they become expensive change orders. Labs USA offers free design services.
  • Communicate with all stakeholders. The #1 cause of renovation delays is late-stage changes from users who weren’t consulted during design.

Planning a Lab Renovation?

Our team has guided hundreds of lab builds from concept to move-in. Get a free design consultation and let us help you plan.

Start Your Free Design → Call (801) 899-0881

Related Resources

Lab Furniture Cost Guide: How Much Does a Lab Build Cost in 2026?

Viktor LABS

Lab furniture pricing is notoriously opaque. Most manufacturers require a quote before sharing any numbers, which makes budgeting difficult in early planning stages. This guide provides realistic 2026 price ranges based on our experience outfitting hundreds of labs.

Note: All prices are approximate and vary by configuration, quantity, material, and market conditions. Contact us for a free project-specific estimate.

Lab Casework Pricing

Casework Type Price per Linear Foot Full Lab (1,000 SF)
Painted Steel (standard) $400–$700/LF $25,000–$50,000
Wood (hardwood frame) $600–$1,000/LF $40,000–$70,000
Phenolic Resin $800–$1,400/LF $55,000–$95,000
Stainless Steel (304) $1,000–$1,800/LF $70,000–$120,000

For a detailed material comparison, see our Lab Casework Materials Comparison Guide.

Fume Hood Pricing

Hood Type Unit Price Installed Cost (w/ duct)
4′ Benchtop (ducted) $3,500–$5,500 $6,000–$10,000
5′ Benchtop (ducted) $4,500–$7,000 $7,500–$12,000
6′ Benchtop (ducted) $5,500–$8,500 $9,000–$14,000
Ductless (filtered) $2,500–$6,000 $2,500–$6,000 (no duct)

Read our full Fume Hood Buying Guide for detailed selection criteria.

Lab Benches & Workstations

Bench Type Price per Unit
Fixed Lab Bench (4’–6′) $1,200–$3,000
Height-Adjustable Bench $2,000–$5,000
Island Bench (double-sided, 8′) $4,000–$8,000
Balance/Vibration Table $2,500–$6,000

Countertop Pricing

Material Price per SF Best For
Epoxy Resin $50–$100 General chemistry, teaching labs
Phenolic Resin $30–$60 Budget-friendly chemical resistance
Stainless Steel $80–$150 Cleanrooms, medical labs
Chemical-Resistant Laminate $20–$40 Low-hazard labs, offices

Full Lab Build Budget Estimates

These are furniture-only estimates (not including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or construction):

Lab Size Budget Build Mid-Range Premium
Small (500 SF) $25,000–$45,000 $45,000–$75,000 $75,000–$120,000
Medium (1,000 SF) $50,000–$90,000 $90,000–$150,000 $150,000–$250,000
Large (2,500 SF) $120,000–$200,000 $200,000–$350,000 $350,000–$600,000
Full Floor (5,000+ SF) $250,000+ $400,000+ $700,000+

Budget build = painted steel casework, phenolic countertops, standard benches. Mid-range = mix of steel and phenolic casework, epoxy countertops, fume hoods. Premium = stainless steel, custom configurations, specialty hoods, cleanroom elements.

How to Reduce Lab Furniture Costs

  1. Use quick-ship products — In-stock items often cost 10–20% less than custom orders due to standardized manufacturing.
  2. Mix materials by zone — Use phenolic or stainless only where chemical exposure demands it. Use painted steel everywhere else.
  3. Plan for modular furniture — Modular benches and casework can be reconfigured as needs change, avoiding full replacement.
  4. Take advantage of free design services — Professional lab design eliminates costly errors and overbuying. Labs USA offers this free.
  5. Consider total cost of ownership — Cheaper materials that need replacement in 10 years cost more than premium materials that last 25+ years.

Get a Free Project Estimate

Send us your floor plan or project requirements and receive a detailed furniture budget within 2 business days.

Request a Free Estimate → Call (801) 899-0881

Related Resources

Fume Hood Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Hood for Your Lab - fume hood buying guide

Fume Hood Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Hood for Your Lab

Viktor LABS

A fume hood is the single most expensive piece of equipment in most laboratories — and the most important for safety. Choosing the wrong hood wastes money. Choosing too small wastes money and creates safety risks. This guide walks through every decision point.

Fume Hood Types at a Glance

Type Ducted? Best For Cost Range
Benchtop Ducted Yes Chemistry, general research $3,500–$8,000
Floor-Mounted (Walk-In) Yes Large apparatus, distillation $8,000–$15,000
Ductless (Filtered) No Low-hazard, mobile labs $2,500–$6,000
Perchloric Acid Hood Yes Perchloric acid digestion $12,000–$20,000+
Radioisotope Hood Yes Radioactive materials $10,000–$18,000
Canopy Hood Yes Heat, steam, non-toxic fumes $1,500–$4,000

Step 1: What Are You Working With?

Start by listing every chemical and process that will be performed in the hood. This determines:

  • Ducted vs. ductless — Ductless hoods use carbon filters and are only appropriate for specific, low-hazard chemicals. If you work with any volatile organics, strong acids, or carcinogens, you need a ducted hood.
  • Hood lining material — Standard epoxy liners handle most chemicals. Polypropylene liners are needed for strong acids. Stainless steel liners are required for perchloric acid.
  • Airflow requirements — OSHA recommends a face velocity of 80–120 fpm. Your institutional EHS office may have stricter requirements.

Step 2: Choose the Right Size

Fume hoods are measured by width. Common sizes:

  • 4-foot — Adequate for single-researcher use, standard chemistry procedures
  • 5-foot — Most popular size, good balance of workspace and footprint
  • 6-foot — Recommended for multiple users or large apparatus
  • 8-foot — Walk-in or high-capacity applications

Rule of thumb: Buy one size larger than you think you need. Labs always accumulate more equipment over time, and a cramped hood is a safety hazard.

Step 3: Ducted or Ductless?

Read our detailed comparison: Ducted vs. Ductless Fume Hoods. In short:

  • Choose ducted if you use volatile organics, strong acids/bases, carcinogens, or any chemical with a PEL below 50 ppm.
  • Choose ductless only for known, low-hazard chemicals where filter media is proven effective. Budget for annual filter replacement ($500–$1,500/year).

Step 4: Performance Standards

Every fume hood should be ASHRAE 110 tested. This is the industry standard test that measures containment under controlled conditions. Ask your supplier for:

  • ASHRAE 110 test results at the face velocity your lab will operate
  • SEFA 1 compliance (construction and performance standards)
  • UL 1805 classification (if required by your jurisdiction)

Step 5: Total Cost of Ownership

The purchase price is only 20–30% of a fume hood’s lifetime cost. Factor in:

  • HVAC impact — A single ducted hood exhausts 800–1,200 CFM of conditioned air. At $5–$8/CFM annually for HVAC, that is $4,000–$9,600/year per hood.
  • Installation — Ductwork, exhaust fans, and electrical typically add 30–50% to the purchase price.
  • Maintenance — Annual certification, sash cable replacement, airflow monitor calibration.
  • Energy savings options — Variable air volume (VAV) controls can reduce HVAC costs by 40–60%.

Labs USA Fume Hood Options

Need Help Selecting a Fume Hood?

Our lab design team will review your chemical list and recommend the right hood type, size, and configuration — free of charge.

Request a Free Consultation → Call (801) 899-0881

Related Resources

Fume Hood — Manufacturer Video

Labconco Fume Hood — Airflow Demonstration

Labconco Fume Hood — Airflow Demonstration

Lab Casework Materials Compared: Steel vs. Wood vs. Phenolic vs. Stainless Steel - lab casework materials compared

Lab Casework Materials Compared: Steel vs. Wood vs. Phenolic vs. Stainless Steel

Viktor LABS

Choosing the right casework material is one of the most consequential decisions in a lab build. The material you select affects durability, chemical resistance, cost, lead time, and long-term maintenance. This guide compares the four most common lab casework materials side-by-side.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature Painted Steel Wood Phenolic Resin Stainless Steel
Cost (relative) $$ $$$ $$$$ $$$$$
Chemical Resistance Moderate Low Excellent Very Good
Moisture Resistance Good Poor Excellent Excellent
Durability High Moderate Very High Very High
Lead Time 4–8 weeks 8–14 weeks 10–16 weeks 8–14 weeks
Best For General labs, teaching Admin areas, light labs Chemical, pharma Cleanrooms, medical
SEFA Compliant Yes Yes Yes Yes

Painted Steel Casework

Best for: Teaching labs, general research, clinical labs, QC labs, and budget-conscious projects.

Painted steel is the most commonly specified lab casework material. The epoxy-powder coating provides good chemical resistance for typical lab chemicals, and the steel construction is durable enough for decades of use. It is the most cost-effective option with the shortest lead times, especially from in-stock programs like the Labs USA quick-ship casework line.

Limitations: Not ideal for labs with frequent exposure to strong acids, prolonged moisture, or corrosive fumes. The paint can chip if impacted by heavy equipment.

Wood Casework

Best for: Administrative lab areas, light-duty teaching labs, and facilities prioritizing aesthetics.

Wood casework uses hardwood frames with phenolic or epoxy resin work surfaces. It offers a warmer aesthetic than metal options and can be stained or finished to match existing millwork. However, wood is the least chemical-resistant option and performs poorly in wet environments.

Limitations: Susceptible to moisture damage, warping, and delamination. Higher maintenance over time. Not recommended for wet chemistry, pharma, or any environment with regular chemical exposure.

Phenolic Resin Casework

Best for: Chemical research labs, pharmaceutical labs, wet labs, and any environment with harsh chemicals.

Phenolic resin casework is manufactured from solid phenolic panels — the same material used in the most chemical-resistant countertops. It is completely impervious to moisture, resists nearly all laboratory chemicals, and does not support bacterial growth. This makes it the top choice for demanding environments.

Limitations: Highest cost of the common materials. Longer lead times. Limited color options (typically black or dark gray). Heavier than steel — requires structural consideration for upper cabinets.

Stainless Steel Casework

Best for: Cleanrooms, medical labs, pharmaceutical manufacturing, food science labs, and sterile environments.

Type 304 and 316 stainless steel casework is the standard for environments requiring strict hygiene. It is easy to clean, resistant to corrosion, and meets FDA, NSF, and ISO cleanroom requirements. Labs USA supplies stainless steel casework in standard and custom configurations.

Limitations: Most expensive option. Susceptible to scratching without proper care. Can show fingerprints and smudges in high-traffic areas. Requires stainless-specific cleaning products.

How to Choose the Right Material

  1. Identify your chemical exposure — If you work with strong acids, solvents, or corrosives daily, phenolic or stainless is the right choice.
  2. Consider your budget — Steel casework delivers 80% of the performance at 40% of the cost of phenolic. Start with steel for general areas and upgrade material in high-exposure zones.
  3. Check lead time requirements — If you need furniture fast, steel casework from our quick-ship program ships in days. Phenolic and wood typically require 10+ weeks.
  4. Plan for the long term — Phenolic and stainless have the longest useful life. Steel is the easiest and cheapest to replace.
  5. Talk to a lab design specialist — Most labs use a mix of materials. Our free lab design service helps you optimize material selection by zone.

Not Sure Which Material Is Right?

Our lab design team will review your project and recommend the best material for each area of your lab — at no cost.

Get a Free Lab Design Consultation →

Related Resources

Lab Casework — Manufacturer Videos

Laboratory Furniture and Casework — Labs USA & ICI Scientific

Laboratory Furniture and Casework — Labs USA & ICI Scientific

Mott Manufacturing — Stainless Steel Lab Furniture & Fume Hoods

Mott Manufacturing — Stainless Steel Lab Furniture & Fume Hoods

Fume Hood vs Biological Safety Cabinet: Which Does Your Lab Need? - fume hood vs biological safety cabinet

Fume Hood vs Biological Safety Cabinet: Which Does Your Lab Need?

Viktor LABS

Fume Hood vs Biological Safety Cabinet — Key Differences

Fume hoods and biological safety cabinets (BSCs) both protect lab workers, but they protect against different hazards in fundamentally different ways. Using the wrong one can put your team and your samples at risk. This guide explains the differences and helps you choose the right containment device.

The Core Difference

Fume hoods protect the operator from chemical fumes. Air flows inward through the face opening and is exhausted — fumes never reach the worker. Fume hoods do NOT protect your sample.

Biological safety cabinets protect the operator, the sample, AND the environment. HEPA-filtered laminar airflow creates a sterile work zone that prevents contamination in both directions.

Comparison Table

Feature Fume Hood Biological Safety Cabinet
Protects operator Yes — from chemical fumes Yes — from biological agents
Protects sample No Yes — sterile HEPA-filtered air
Protects environment Yes (ducted exhaust) Yes (HEPA-filtered exhaust)
Airflow pattern Inward only (no recirculation) Laminar downflow + inward at face
Filtration None (ducted) or carbon (ductless) HEPA (99.97% at 0.3 μm)
Chemical use Designed for chemicals NOT for volatile chemicals (damages HEPA)
Biological use NOT for biologicals (no sample protection) Designed for biologicals
Common applications Chemistry, histology, acid digestion Cell culture, microbiology, BSL-2/3
Certification ANSI Z9.5, ASHRAE 110 NSF/ANSI 49
Price range $3,000–$15,000 (hood only) $5,000–$30,000

When to Use a Fume Hood

  • Working with volatile chemicals, acids, bases, or organic solvents
  • Performing acid digestions, titrations, or chemical reactions
  • Histology and pathology tissue processing
  • Any procedure that generates hazardous chemical fumes or vapors
  • Sample protection is NOT required

When to Use a BSC

  • Working with human blood, tissues, or body fluids (BSL-2)
  • Cell culture and tissue culture work
  • Handling infectious agents or recombinant DNA
  • Sterile compounding or pharmaceutical preparation
  • Any work where BOTH operator AND sample protection are needed

Common Mistake: Using a Fume Hood for Cell Culture

Fume hoods do not provide the sterile, laminar airflow needed for cell culture. Room air enters the hood unfiltered, contaminating your cultures. Always use a Class II BSC for cell culture work. The HEPA-filtered downflow air creates the sterile environment your samples need.

Common Mistake: Using a BSC for Chemical Work

BSCs are not designed for volatile chemicals. Chemical fumes can damage HEPA filters (expensive to replace) and may not be adequately contained. For chemical work, use a ducted fume hood. If you need to work with both chemicals and biologicals, ask about combination hoods or separate workstations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a BSC as a fume hood?

No. BSCs are not designed for chemical fumes. Volatile chemicals can damage the HEPA filters and may not be properly contained. Use a ducted fume hood for chemical work.

What if I need to work with both chemicals and biological materials?

Some Class II Type B2 BSCs are ducted and can handle small amounts of certain chemicals. Alternatively, use separate workstations — a fume hood for chemical steps and a BSC for biological steps. Contact Labs USA to discuss your specific workflow.

Do BSCs need annual certification?

Yes. BSCs should be certified annually by a qualified technician per NSF/ANSI 49. Certification includes HEPA filter integrity testing, airflow measurements, and containment verification. Most institutions also certify after moving or servicing a BSC.