The cost of factory design is one of the most important factors determining the total investment as well as the efficiency of project operation. Many investors often focus only on construction costs while overlooking the design stage, which actually lays the foundation for the entire project. An accurate design not only helps businesses save budget and minimize risks but also ensures optimal functionality, safety, and future expansion capability.
To make an appropriate cost estimate, it is necessary to clearly understand the factors that directly affect factory design costs, such as project scale, functional complexity, geological conditions, technical requirements, and the reputation of the design unit. Understanding these factors allows investors to proactively plan, choose optimal solutions, and ensure the project is implemented on schedule with reasonable costs. Choosing a reputable company like BIC helps investors take better control of financial planning while ensuring long-term project efficiency.
Factory design is not just about sketching drawings, but a comprehensive study of functions, structures, and project feasibility. Design cost estimation gives investors an overall picture of the budget and identifies the scope of work to be implemented. This is an important foundation to ensure the project runs according to plan and avoids resource shortages during construction.
When investors understand the factors affecting design costs, they can easily adjust their plans to suit financial goals. This helps optimize the budget, limit unexpected costs, and increase investment efficiency. In addition, grasping elements such as scale, foundation conditions, or technical standards allows businesses to select suitable design solutions from the start.
A reputable design unit like BIC not only ensures standard design documents that meet all technical and legal requirements but also provides cost-optimized solutions for investors. With practical experience from large projects, BIC carefully evaluates influencing factors to propose effective, safe, and sustainable design plans. This is the key value that helps businesses save immediate costs and achieve long-term benefits in operation and production expansion.
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Scale is the basic factor determining design costs. The larger the factory, the more architectural, structural, and technical system documents (electricity, water, fire protection, HVAC, etc.) are required.
For example, a 1,000 m² factory may only need simple design documents, but for a 10,000 m² plant, architects must calculate walkways, lighting systems, emergency exits, and rational production layout, which significantly increases costs. However, for large projects, the unit cost per m² usually decreases thanks to fixed cost savings.
The complexity level depends on the intended function. A dry goods warehouse only requires a basic steel frame, so design costs will be low. In contrast, a heavy mechanical workshop needs high-load-bearing floors, cranes, bored pile foundations, separate fire protection systems; or a cold storage warehouse requires insulated panel walls and industrial refrigeration systems. All these factors increase calculation workload and design costs.
The construction site directly impacts design. Favorable locations with firm soil, complete transport, power, and water infrastructure simplify design. Conversely, if the site is on weak soil, near rivers, or in flooded areas, the design company must provide solutions for foundation reinforcement, subsidence prevention, and waterproofing, which increases costs.
For instance, with the same 5,000 m² area, a factory in an industrial park with standard infrastructure is much cheaper than building on agricultural land requiring soil treatment.
If the factory is only for standard production, design costs are average. However, if the project must meet international standards such as GMP (pharmaceuticals), HACCP (food), ISO (quality management), or LEED (green building), the design documents must include more detailed components and undergo stricter evaluation, leading to higher costs.
In addition, costs also depend on the type of design documents:
- Preliminary design: for approval applications, low cost.
- Technical design: requires higher detail, higher cost.
- Construction design: complete for implementation, highest cost.
A reputable design company with many real projects often charges higher fees than smaller firms. However, high-quality documents reduce errors during construction, saving billions in repair costs later.
For example, BIC has implemented many large-scale factories for FDI enterprises, always ensuring progress, compliance with technical standards, and cost optimization—delivering long-term value to investors.
Some businesses require not only functional factories but also brand image emphasis. In such cases, additional aesthetic features like modern façades, green landscaping, and energy-saving solutions increase costs.
For instance, a “green factory” model with solar energy and natural lighting systems will cost more in design but save long-term operational expenses.
If the project requires completion within a short time, the design unit must mobilize extra staff and work overtime to meet deadlines, leading to higher costs. Conversely, when investors plan clearly with reasonable timelines, design costs are optimized. That is why many businesses prepare documents early to save budget.
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Factory design costs are usually calculated per square meter (m²), depending on project complexity. Prices can vary significantly between project types:
- Applies to small factories or simple warehouses requiring only basic architectural and structural documents.
- Reference price: 20,000 – 120,000 VND/m².
- Suitable for businesses needing fast progress with no special technical requirements.
- For typical production factories with complete MEP systems (electricity, water, fire protection), rational production line layout.
- Reference price: 50,000 – 150,000 VND/m².
- This is the most common level for projects in industrial parks.
- Applies to factories with specific functions such as cold storage, cleanrooms, GMP-compliant pharmaceutical plants, HACCP-standard food factories, or LEED/LOTUS-certified green buildings.
- Reference price: 70,000 – 200,000 VND/m².
- Detailed design documents, multiple technical components, and strict evaluation.
- For large areas over 10,000 m², investors can negotiate to reduce the unit price per m².
- Choosing a design–build package provider like BIC helps save costs by optimizing from survey and design to construction implementation.
- An upfront investment in proper design minimizes risks and saves billions during construction and operation.
One of the common reasons for cost increases is design changes during implementation. If investors clearly define area, functions, applicable standards, and budget from the outset, the design company can propose optimal solutions.
For example, if a business plans to expand production within 5 years, architects will design structural frameworks and layouts that allow easy expansion without redesigning the entire project.
Working with multiple separate contractors often incurs extra costs due to lack of coordination between design drawings and construction. With a design–build model, all components are unified from the start, avoiding conflicts.
BIC is one of the pioneers in this field, helping clients save up to 10–15% of total costs by optimizing processes and minimizing adjustments.
Flexible designs allow businesses to adjust or expand functions without changing the main structure, saving future investment costs. At the same time, applying energy-saving solutions such as natural lighting, cross ventilation, thermal insulation materials, and solar energy systems not only reduces long-term operating costs but also enhances the business’s “green” brand image.
Design costs do not always accurately reflect quality. Therefore, instead of immediately choosing the lowest price, investors should compare at least 2–3 detailed quotations and consider additional services such as construction permit support, legal consulting, or author supervision during construction. A reputable provider will offer transparent pricing and clear progress commitments.
Urgent design projects often incur high costs as design companies must increase staff and work overtime to meet deadlines. More importantly, rushing can reduce document quality. Therefore, investors should plan at least a few months before construction to save costs while ensuring accuracy.
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With over 10 years of experience in industrial design and construction, BIC has accompanied hundreds of domestic and international businesses. Its projects range from mechanical workshops and logistics warehouses to GMP-compliant pharmaceutical plants, earning absolute trust from clients.
BIC provides design–build package services, helping investors save significantly compared to hiring multiple separate units. From site survey, design planning, and technical drawings to construction and handover, all are performed in a unified process. This not only minimizes unexpected costs but also ensures strict control of construction progress.
BIC’s team of architects and engineers are highly qualified, with experience in large-scale projects across key industrial zones. With practical expertise, BIC always proposes optimal design solutions tailored to each type of production, ensuring functionality, safety, and future expansion.
BIC does not stop at handing over documents but accompanies investors throughout project implementation. From legal consulting, construction permit applications to author supervision support, BIC always prioritizes customer interests. This unique value has made BIC a strategic partner of many domestic and international corporations.
Factory design costs depend on many factors, and each project has unique requirements. Therefore, to obtain the most accurate and suitable figure for actual needs, investors should seek direct consultation from a professional company.
Contact us today for free consultation and a detailed quotation for your factory design project. Let BIC be your strategic partner, accompanying the sustainable growth of your business.
