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)
- ☐ Define the lab’s primary function and research activities
- ☐ Identify all user groups and their space requirements
- ☐ Establish a realistic budget (see our Lab Furniture Cost Guide)
- ☐ Set a target completion date and work backward to create milestones
- ☐ Identify all regulatory and compliance requirements (OSHA, EPA, local codes)
- ☐ Assemble the project team: facilities, EHS, researchers, procurement, IT
- ☐ Inventory all equipment that will be relocated vs. replaced
- ☐ Document existing utility infrastructure (gas, water, electrical, data, exhaust)
- ☐ Determine if the renovation requires building permits
- ☐ Engage a lab design specialist early — before committing to layouts (free consultation available)
Phase 2: Design & Specification (Weeks 4–10)
- ☐ Create a detailed floor plan with furniture, equipment, and utility locations
- ☐ Select casework materials based on chemical exposure (materials comparison)
- ☐ Specify fume hood type, size, and quantity (buying guide)
- ☐ Select countertop materials for each zone (epoxy, phenolic, stainless, laminate)
- ☐ Specify bench types — fixed, adjustable, island, or mobile
- ☐ Plan electrical: circuit count, outlet placement, dedicated circuits for equipment
- ☐ Plan plumbing: sink locations, DI water, gas lines, waste drainage
- ☐ Plan HVAC: exhaust CFM requirements, supply air balancing, temperature control
- ☐ Specify safety equipment: eyewash stations, safety showers, fire extinguishers
- ☐ Specify chemical storage: flammable cabinets, acid cabinets, corrosive storage
- ☐ Review ADA accessibility requirements for all work areas
- ☐ Finalize furniture specifications with SEFA compliance requirements
Phase 3: Procurement & Lead Times (Weeks 8–16)
- ☐ Get competitive quotes from at least 2–3 lab furniture suppliers
- ☐ Confirm lead times for all furniture and equipment (custom casework: 8–16 weeks)
- ☐ Identify items available from quick-ship inventory to reduce timeline risk
- ☐ Order long-lead items first (fume hoods, custom casework, specialty equipment)
- ☐ Coordinate furniture delivery dates with construction milestones
- ☐ Confirm installation services and scheduling
- ☐ Review and approve shop drawings before manufacturing begins
- ☐ Establish a staging area for furniture delivery
Phase 4: Construction & Infrastructure (Weeks 10–20)
- ☐ Demolish and remove existing furniture and fixtures
- ☐ Rough-in plumbing, electrical, and gas per the approved plan
- ☐ Install HVAC ductwork and exhaust systems
- ☐ Complete flooring — chemical-resistant, seamless preferred
- ☐ Install ceiling grid and lighting — confirm lux levels meet lab requirements
- ☐ Run data and communication cabling
- ☐ Complete wall finishes (chemical-resistant paint or FRP panels as needed)
- ☐ Pass all building inspections before furniture installation begins
Phase 5: Furniture Installation & Equipment (Weeks 18–24)
- ☐ Receive and inspect all furniture before installation begins
- ☐ Install casework, benches, and countertops per the approved layout
- ☐ Install and connect fume hoods — verify ductwork connections
- ☐ Connect plumbing to sinks, eyewash stations, and gas fixtures
- ☐ Install safety equipment in correct locations per code
- ☐ Install chemical storage cabinets and shelving
- ☐ Connect and test all electrical — circuits, outlets, data ports
Phase 6: Commissioning & Move-In (Weeks 22–26)
- ☐ Certify all fume hoods (ASHRAE 110 testing, face velocity verification)
- ☐ Test all safety equipment — eyewash, showers, gas shutoffs, fire suppression
- ☐ Balance HVAC system — verify air changes per hour, temperature, and humidity
- ☐ Conduct a full walkthrough with EHS, facilities, and lab users
- ☐ 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.