Lab Design & Setup

Over the years, we have developed a unique capability in designing and building laboratory facilities.

Building a laboratory on time and within budget is a complex process. It requires balancing the needs of the R&D team while complying with the strict requirements of regulatory authorities such as fire departments, environmental and health agencies, municipalities, and additional regulatory bodies.

Mistakes during the planning or construction stages can be costly, resulting in delays, budget overruns, and operational challenges. With over 20 years of laboratory operation and maintenance experience, we offer our expertise to organizations looking to establish their own laboratory.

Our approach begins with understanding your specific research needs, including the type of work, required equipment, and applicable safety standards. From there, we plan the physical layout, workflow, and storage areas, before addressing the infrastructure that supports daily operations: electrical systems, ventilation, gas lines, and water supply. Only once these foundations are set do we move to execution, working closely with contractors and suppliers to make sure the plan is carried out correctly.

Ventilation and chemical fume hoods deserve special attention, since they are matched to the specific materials used in your lab and are one of the most common sources of costly rework when planned incorrectly. Getting this right the first time protects both your budget and your timeline, and leaves room for future growth as your lab expands.

With over 20 years of hands-on laboratory experience, we have seen which mistakes cost the most: infrastructure planned too late, ventilation that does not match the materials in use, and layouts that slow down daily work. Recognizing these risks in advance is what allows us to save our clients time and money.

We provide consulting support throughout the entire process — from the initial design phase through project execution — helping you avoid critical mistakes and make the right decisions at every stage. This includes guidance on everything from selecting appropriate flooring materials to choosing chemical fume hoods and laboratory infrastructure.

If you are planning to build your own laboratory, we would be happy to assist you and help ensure that it is done correctly, efficiently, and right the first time.

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What is lab design, and why does it matter?

Lab design is the process of turning a company's scientific and operational needs into a physical workspace: workstation layout, workflow, safety systems and infrastructure. Good design saves costs, prevents regulatory delays and leaves room to grow. The earlier and more professional the planning, the lower the risk of costly changes later on.

The five stages of designing and setting up a lab

Needs assessment - the type of work, equipment and relevant standards.
Design and layout - workstations, workflow, safety and storage areas.
Infrastructure and systems - electricity, ventilation, gas, water and fume hoods.
Execution and supervision - working with contractors and suppliers to build it right.
Commissioning and handover - testing, final adjustments and a working lab.

Skipping a stage, or running the stages out of order, is a common source of delays and unnecessary costs.

Infrastructure: fume hoods, ventilation and safety

A lab's success usually lies in the infrastructure you do not see. Ventilation and chemical fume hoods must match the materials you work with, safety solutions must match the level of risk, and the infrastructure must support future expansion. Getting this stage right prevents expensive fixes once the lab is already running.

Regulation and licensing

Setting up a lab means working with several regulators and authorities, including the Ministry of Environmental Protection, fire safety, health and safety, the local authority, infrastructure providers, quality and safety standards, and insurance requirements. Each has its own requirements, approvals, inspections and documentation. Addressing them at the design stage, not after the fact, prevents delays, failures and missing approvals that can hold up the lab's opening.

What does it cost to set up a lab?

The cost of setting up a lab has several layers: physical infrastructure such as electricity, ventilation, gas and water systems and chemical fume hoods; equipment and instrumentation; design and engineering; and licensing, regulatory and safety compliance. Each varies widely with the type of lab, chemical or biological, and the nature of the work.

The hidden costs: the time until the lab is ready to work, delays in getting approvals, ongoing maintenance, and design mistakes that require costly fixes later. Often time is the biggest cost of all, because every month before opening is a month without progress.

Decisions made at the design stage directly affect the final cost. The best way to get an accurate estimate is an assessment of your specific needs.

Common lab setup mistakes

Incomplete infrastructure planning that surfaces late and requires costly changes.
Ventilation or fume hoods that do not match the materials actually used.
An inefficient layout that hurts workflow and safety.
Treating a lab like a regular office or a standard industrial space.
Ignoring future needs and expansion.

Build or rent?

Not every team needs to build a lab from scratch. For many companies and startups, renting an equipped lab saves the upfront investment and setup time, lets you start working almost immediately and grow gradually. Building your own lab makes sense when you need unique infrastructure for the long term.

End-to-end professional support

At Daren Labs, construction and infrastructure professionals work alongside scientists with hands-on lab experience, so we speak both the engineering language and the day-to-day needs of researchers. Our support includes:

Needs assessment and initial design
Infrastructure and lab systems consulting
Designing a safe and efficient work environment
Help with regulatory compliance and licensing
Coordination with architects, contractors and suppliers
Equipment and instrumentation review
Planning for future growth and needs

FAQ

How long does it take to set up a lab? It depends on the lab's size, infrastructure complexity and regulatory requirements. After an initial assessment we can give a realistic timeline estimate.

How much does lab design and setup cost? It varies with the type of lab, the scope of infrastructure and the equipment required. The best way to get an accurate estimate is an assessment of your specific needs.

Do I need professional support? It is not mandatory, but professional support prevents costly design mistakes and shortens the path to a working, compliant lab, especially for infrastructure and regulation.

Planning to set up a lab? The Daren Labs team will be glad to guide you from design to launch.