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

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