Facility renovations enable the campus to preserve our buildings while modernizing and adapting them for new purposes. Remodeling can be both exciting and frustrating, whether you are renovating a chemistry laboratory or your kitchen at home. The information below will familiarize you with the campus renovation process.

General Tips

• Anticipate that your project will take longer than you expect. Influences on the length of the project include:
  • Project complexity, which affects the amount of time required for project design as well as the actual construction
  • UC Davis construction and renovation projects are covered by the Stull Act, a state law that sets dollar limits on work that can be performed by the University
  • Whether the renovation will require bringing the facility up to current fire, safety, and disability access regulations. Abatement of hazardous materials (lead and asbestos) is also a necessity in some renovations
  • The lead time for material delivery, especially for mechanical or specialized scientific equipment
  • The campus approval process. The project may require approval by one or more campus entities
  • Unforeseen circumstances, such as previous undocumented infrastructure alterations
  • Competing project schedules
  
  
• Some of the same factors that influence the project schedule also affect the project cost.
  
  
• Think about accommodations for your department during the actual construction. Construction is inherently noisy, there are occasionally bad odors, there may be safety concerns, and it can be generally disruptive to your normal business. If utilization of this space during construction is critical, be sure to alert the Project Manager; it may be possible for the work to be performed during off hours.
  
  
• Consider what you will do with current fixtures and furnishings in the area. Will they be incorporated into the remodel, used elsewhere, sold through the Bargain Barn, or discarded? Some fixtures, such as refrigeration units and bio-safety cabinets, may require decommissioning for environmental reasons before disposal.

Types of Projects

There are three basic categories of renovation:

Simple Project
Simple projects are generally performed by experienced crews from Building Maintenance Services.
Examples: Recarpet a floor, paint an office, install an electrical outlet, install deionized water, install a sink.
Overview of Simple Renovation Projects

Complex Project
Complex projects generally cost from $10,000-$400,000 and often require several craft specialties. They may require engineering design work. Depending on dollar value of the project, construction may be performed by Building Maintenance Services or an outside contractor.
Examples: Renovate a laboratory, build new offices from existing space, add a lab bench or lab equipment that impacts mechanical and plumbing systems.
Overview of Complex Renovation Projects

Major Capital Project
A project above $400,000 is special type of complex project, called a Major Capital Project. They often require engineering design work; construction is performed by an outside contractor. Project Management reviews these requests and discusses them with Architects & Engineers and Office of Resource Management & Planning as appropriate.
Examples: Building additions, modular buildings, major lab remodels, major restoration or renovation projects that involve multiple rooms.

You may request an estimate for a project by calling the Customer Support Center at 752-1655 or by submitting an online request through the Web Work Order System. Depending on the complexity of the project, the Customer Support Center will initially assign the project to Building Maintenance Services or Project Management. An Inspector/Planner/Estimator (IPE) or a Project Manager will contact you.

If you’re not sure whether you want an estimate, but would like to discuss the nature of the project with our renovation staff, you can submit the request through Customer Support or the Web Work Order System without authorizing funding for the cost of creating an estimate. An IPE or Project Manager will contact you to discuss your project.