School Renovations and New Construction: To Build or Not to Build is The Question

AUSTIN, Texas - May 13, 2020 - PRLog -- Construction projects at educational institutions are proceeding on a case-by-case basis during the coronavirus outbreak. We look at how educational facility managers are making the call on whether to proceed with renovations or new build projects and, if so, how they can maintain safe working conditions on the job site.

The coronavirus outbreak has wreaked havoc on the American economy in countless ways.

Restaurants and bars have shut down across the country, major sports leagues have postponed their games indefinitely, and there are critical shortages of products, ranging from toilet paper to medical devices and protective gear needed by first responders and health care providers.

Under normal circumstances, this would be the time of year when facility managers at educational institutions would be gearing up for the annual "construction season" — in which they try to rush through all their badly needed renovations (or make as much headway as possible on new build construction projects) – while the weather is good and most of the students are away on summer break.

But things aren't normal this year, not in the least.

Across the country, countless primary, secondary, and university level institutions have closed their doors and sent their students home.

How To Decide If It's OK To Proceed With Construction Projects (Or Not)

But these early school closures present a dilemma for many educational facility managers.

On the one hand, the fact that students are not present on many campuses opens up an opportunity to start the "construction season" earlier this year.

But on the other hand, is it entirely safe to do so?

In other words (with apologies to Shakespeare):

To build or not to build. That is the question.

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