Educational spaces need regular upkeep, just like businesses and residences. Everyday wear and tear takes a toll on school spaces, while changing student populations and changing educational needs require administrators to update school buildings on a regular basis.
Making updates to your New Haven school building can help ensure that your educational institution will continue to meet the needs of your students. Whether you're building more classroom space, updating existing classroom spaces, or renovating for other purposes, it's important to work with a Connecticut contractor with experience, a good reputation, and familiarity with the common issues that schools face when taking on remodeling projects.
When Is It Time to Renovate?
Picking the right time to renovate is important. Knowing the signs that your school needs renovations can help you stay on top of student needs. Putting off renovations can compound problems, leading to educational challenges like overfilled classrooms. Below are some reasons that schools in New Haven and the surrounding area choose to renovate.
Student Population Is Growing
Growing student populations can be good for schools in many ways. More students mean more revenue, which in turn can be used to expand educational opportunities. At the same time, too many students in one classroom can make teaching more difficult. Students benefit from small classroom sizes and low student to teacher ratios.
To maintain these small classroom sizes and low ratios, schools need more classroom spaces generally. There are many ways to add classroom space to your school. Some schools build new buildings on their property, while others add to their school's existing footprint.
Your Building Needs Regular Repair
As buildings get older, they start to need more frequent repairs. Eventually, keeping up with repairs can be more expensive than renovating. Installing new appliances, updating critical systems like electrical and plumbing, and installing new furnishings can save money on repairs while also improving the appearance of the building overall. It's important for schools to look good as well as function well, so renovating educational spaces has more than one benefit.
Facilities Are Showing Signs of Wear and Tear
Scuffs on the walls and floors, deep scratches in the furniture, worn upholstery and carpeting and other cosmetic damage can impact parent, teacher and student perceptions of their educational institution. Updating your educational space to look its best is a part of maintaining confidence in your school. Educational spaces that look cheerful, well-maintained and cared for are good spaces for learning. When your facility starts to show signs of wear and tear, it may be time to remodel.
Popular Renovations In New Haven School Buildings
The types of remodels that New Haven school buildings require run the gamut, depending on the needs and age of the school, as well as the size of the student body. Below are some of the popular renovations that New Haven school buildings request.
Making Space for Classrooms
As already mentioned, growing schools need more classrooms. While the easiest and cheapest way to install classrooms may be to divide existing rooms and work within the school's existing footprint, this isn't always an option. Your contractor and architect can help you decide what's realistic for your current building configuration.
Building Code Changes
Building codes change over time. Any time your school needs to make updates like a remodel or building addition, you'll need to address building code changes to bring your facilities up to code.
These changes will be a part of the permitting process, which means work can't be finished until those updates are complete. Your contractor and zoning official can tell you which building code updates need to be accomplished before the remodel can be done.
ADA Updates
Similar to building code changes, schools that are not fully ADA compliant will need to make ADA changes to their facilities when doing certain remodels. Sometimes, this means that schools with limited bathroom access will need to install more bathrooms or update their existing bathrooms to be more accessible. ADA laws apply to many aspects of education. Classrooms, assembly areas, parking areas, computer rooms and lecture halls all must be ADA compliant.
Navigating ADA compliance can be a challenge, as some ADA changes can add thousands of dollars to an already expensive remodel. Find a contractor who understands ADA compliance and can provide a code specialist who will work with building officials to ensure that your building remodel can move forward in a way that is acceptable to all parties.
Technology Updates
Technology has changed over time. Now, outfitting your school with modern technology is not just a matter of installing a projector in the ceiling. Technology rooms like computer rooms require more outlets and special computer stations. Many schools have already made these changes, but technology continues to be important in schools and play a central role in certain renovations.
Avoid Scheduling Challenges When Remodeling Schools
Ideally, changes to the school building will take place over the summer while students are out of class. Containing your remodel to the summer months requires planning and coordination. Below are some tips for ensuring the work can be done during this short span of time.
Work With a Self-Performing Contractor
Many contractors have limited staff and subcontract with other businesses to perform carpentry and demolition. Self-performing contractors employ a full compliment of specialists who can do work like framing, window installation, millwork, trim and demolition. Self-performing contractors have a complete team on staff. This allows them to control their schedule and work more efficiently, completing renovations in less time.
Get Started Well In Advance
Get started on your project a year in advance to ensure that your project will be fully planned and scheduled when summer begins.
Keep the Project Moving
Moving forward on a school renovation can be tough for busy school administrators and board members. For big renovations, consider hiring an owners representative who knows the construction industry and can serve as your project manager and decision maker during your upcoming remodel.
Contact An Experienced Contractor for Renovating Educational Spaces in Connecticut
If you're currently in the process of renovating educational spaces in New Haven, Litchfield Builders makes a number of resources available to help you through this process, including a guide to hiring a contractor. We can also help you through the remodel process, if you're ready to get started. Call today to schedule an in-person consultation to discuss.
