Your school needs occasional renovation to keep up with its changing student population. Many schools remodel every 14 or 15 years. When your school goes through a renovation, it's important to do it right.
Assembling a solid team, planning early, and working within your budget are all things you can do to ensure that your school renovation will be effective. Litchfield Builders has renovated many Connecticut schools and we have advice we can provide for the process.
Common School Remodeling Projects
Why remodel? There are many reasons schools choose to update their facilities.
ADA compliance. ADA compliance is important to ensure equal access to your school building. It's common for schools to update features like signage, entryways, bathrooms, stairs, and ramps to ensure that students have equal access to parts of the building.
Bathroom remodeling. Bathrooms need regular remodeling to maintain functional plumbing and clean, safe facilities. If your school bathrooms haven't been updated in a while, they may need more stalls, new faucets, better lighting, updated fixtures, and more.
Space updates. Wear and tear can take its toll on your school building, while changes to curriculum and instruction methods may also impact how you use your space. Here are some common updates schools make to their instructional spaces:
- Replace worn flooring to ensure rooms are easy to clean and attractive for students.
- Repaint to maintain spaces that are cheerful and welcoming.
- Change room sizes or add rooms to accommodate changing or growing populations.
- Update spaces to make room for technology.
Steps to Planning a School Remodel in Connecticut
1. Outline your project goals.
Work with stakeholders to outline goals and must-haves. Know what your project must accomplish to be successful.
If necessary, assemble a building renovation committee to create a list of goals. Include representatives from different stakeholder groups like parents, teachers, other school staff, and board members. Listening to different voices during the planning process can help ensure that your project will meet your needs when the work is finished.
2. Make a budget.
Work with your school board and other stakeholders to create a budget for your upcoming renovation. If financing is required, secure financing in advance so you'll know what you can afford to spend.
Budgeting takes time and may require you to meet with a contractor to get an estimate for your intended renovation. Knowing how much you may have to spend can help you decide whether this type of renovation will fit into your budget.
3. Hire an owner's representative.
This step is optional, but some schools hire an owner's representative to keep the project moving. An owner's representative is a consultant with construction industry experience who understands the process and can keep the construction project moving.
During the renovation, the owner's representative will oversee the work, manage problems, and keep school administrators, the board, and other stakeholders informed of progress.
4. Find an architect.
Most commercial renovations require an architect. Find an architect with experience working on projects similar to your own. Vet several professionals before choosing the best one.
As you're making your decision, look through their portfolios and have discussions about your project. Choose an architect with good communication skills.
Communication is important, as your architect will need to work with your team and contractor to ensure a smooth project from start to finish. You can evaluate communication skills by having one-on-one conversations about your project, discussing your goals, and asking lots of questions.
5. Create the design.
The architect will create the design. You may go through several drafts before the design is finished. When it's ready, you can start looking for contractors.
6. Vet contractors.
Your architect may suggest a contractor they've worked with before. If not, vet three contractors before choosing one with good communication skills, an impressive portfolio, and a reputation for excellence. Check references.
Hiring a contractor is similar to hiring an architect: choose one with good communication skills who can work together with your architect and other stakeholders to ensure project success.
7. Sign a contract.
Your contractor will create a contract for you to sign. Read the contract thoroughly before signing. The contract should include payment terms and payment schedule, a schedule of work to be completed including start date, end date, and a thorough scope of work.
8. Work is completed over the summer.
The contract will have a start date for the work to be performed as well as an estimated project completion date. Avoid making changes to the scope of work once the project begins, because making changes can push out the renovation completion date and may increase costs as well.
Get Started Early - Plan Now for Summer 2026
Most Connecticut schools renovate their facilities in the summer when students are not on campus. While this makes sense for the school schedule, many contractors are booked well in advance of the summer months.
If your school needs renovation starting next summer of 2026, get started with your planning process now, before the summer of 2025. This way, you'll be ready to vet contractors next winter.
Ready to Get Started With Your School Remodel? Download Our Free Guide
Regular school remodeling can improve your school and the student experience. Hiring the right contractor for the job makes all the difference. Check out our guide to hiring a Connecticut contractor to get started with your project. If you have questions about your upcoming school renovation, call today to make an appointment.
