Does Your Government Building Need an Office Upgrade?

Jan 8, 2020

Upgrading your government office space can be a bit of an expense, however, there comes a point when not having the adequate space you need begins to outweigh the costs of investing in a new one.

How do you know when it’s the right time to upgrade or replace your facilities? There’s no single right answer to this, but there are several signs that your office building may be ready for an upgrade or expansion. Here we outline some reasons that may indicate you’re ready for an upgrade.

What Your Building Says About You

As a government entity, your office building suggests a lot about how you decide to represent yourself. If you are a township or municipal administration office, you should want to have a building that is respectful to your community and its history. Chances are, your building may be located in a mix of suburban, commercial, and residential land. The overall look and operations of your building speaks volumes to the people and neighborhood surrounding you.

Aging Facilities

Older buildings come with a handful of dangers which can be detrimental to one’s health and also affect the overall appeal and charm of the building. These are a few serious yet sometimes hard-to-spot dangers that you should look for if you have an aging building.

Lead Paint – banned by the federal government in 1978 but can still be found in buildings made prior to this date.
Pests or Rodents – pests can cause health problems including allergic reactions, respiratory infections, and can spread diseases.
Carbon Monoxide– poisonous, colorless, and odorless gas. CO is a result of incomplete burning of carbon such as gasoline, oil, propane, coal, or wood.
Asbestos– an insulator that was commonly used within buildings, but was later banned once research showed that the asbestos fibers are extremely harmful to human lungs when inhaled.
Water Damage or Mold– high humidity, poor ventilation, and water leaks can attribute to mold growth. Not only will water damage destroy your building, but it is also harmful to your health.

Although these are all serious concerns, an aging building could simply be the normal wear and tear that comes with occupying a building. Outdated, worn, and uncomfortable office spaces are not only an eyesore to look at, but can also be a depressing atmosphere for employees and customers alike. Sub-standard conditions should not be acceptable. Although renovations are an option, you should consider the cost of replacing your government building and facilities altogether- especially if you have a growing department.

As the number of employees and departments grow, you need to ensure that there is adequate space to accommodate these changes. Not only is office space a concern, but additional features such as a break room, kitchen area, conference room, bathrooms, and even locker rooms or a reception area are something to consider as well.

The consolidation of multiple departments is another reason to consider an upgrade or facility expansion. Perhaps your current operations are separate, but you would like to combine them into a single, more effective building. By reducing the number of facilities you have running, you can save money and operations will flow more efficiently.

Modular Government Buildings

Permanent or temporary modular buildings can reduce both costs and construction time for government agencies, cities, states, and municipalities while providing single- or multi-level structures that meet applicable building codes. Modular government buildings are proven to be as durable as traditional construction and designed to withstand the heavy daily use of public facilities.