Factory design is a crucial initial step that determines the functionality, cost, and long-term efficiency of any production facility. In 2025, with increasing demands for space optimization, cost savings, and adherence to technical standards, investing adequately in the design phase becomes even more critical. So, what are the factory design costs in 2025? What items are included, and what factors influence them? Let's explore the details with BIC in the following article.
Factory design is the process of planning and creating detailed blueprints for an industrial facility (such as a factory, manufacturing plant, or warehouse). During the design phase, architects and engineers will determine the layout, structural framework, technical systems (electrical, plumbing, ventilation, fire protection), and production lines within the factory. The goal of the design is to ensure the factory fully meets the requirements of functionality, technology, and legality, while also laying the groundwork for efficient construction and operation later on.
In reality, factory design plays an extremely important role in creating a safe, comfortable, and optimized workspace for businesses; a well-executed design helps optimize costs, increase production efficiency, and improve product quality. In other words, the design is the "backbone" of the construction project – directly impacting the construction progress and operational efficiency of the factory throughout its lifespan.
In the context of 2025, with increasingly high technical standards and operational requirements for factories, investing appropriately in the design phase of a factory construction project becomes even more necessary. A standard design blueprint not only reflects the investor's ideas on paper, but also scientifically calculates every aspect: from area, construction location, factory scale to production technology, building materials, and equipment to be used. The design must also ensure compliance with labor safety and environmental protection regulations from the outset.
If businesses focus on investing in the initial design phase, the factory project will have a solid foundation for smooth implementation of the next steps. Below are the specific benefits that a standard factory design brings to businesses:
Industrial park land is a valuable resource, making efficient use of every square meter in the factory a top priority. Smart factory design helps optimize space utilization by logically dividing the area for production, storage, office, and auxiliary zones without wasting space. Thanks to scientific floor plan layouts, investors can clearly visualize the arrangement of machinery, production lines, and storage areas to fully utilize the existing space.
For example, in the context of rising industrial park land rental costs, many businesses have chosen to build multi-story factories (2-3, or even 5 stories) to maximize vertical space. Every square meter of land is carefully calculated during the design phase to serve a specific function, which helps companies avoid incurring additional costs for future expansion.
Besides saving land, optimized design also creates a spacious, organized workspace and a logical workflow. Properly placed functional areas facilitate smooth, unobstructed movement of employees and materials. The production area is seamlessly arranged with raw material and finished goods warehouses, while the office area and auxiliary amenities are appropriately separated. This layout ensures that every space in the factory is efficiently used for production or production support activities. By optimizing space right from the design stage, businesses can increase capacity within the same factory area while creating a more airy working environment for workers.
A key benefit of investing in well-planned factory design is cost savings during both the construction phase and long-term operation. Firstly, a detailed design allows investors to accurately estimate construction costs, from material quantities to labor, and proactively manage the budget before construction begins. By knowing the items and volumes in advance, businesses can choose appropriate structural and material solutions, avoiding unnecessary waste or redundancy. A complete design dossier also facilitates transparent comparison and selection of construction contractors, limiting the "on-the-fly" design and construction approach that can easily lead to cost overruns and delays. In fact, with a clear design and construction plan from the outset, factory projects can significantly save on construction costs and shorten completion times compared to poorly prepared approaches.
Secondly, an optimized design also helps reduce long-term factory operating costs. Right from the design phase, engineers can propose technical solutions to save energy and resources for the factory. For example, arranging a reasonable natural ventilation and lighting system will reduce electricity costs for cooling and lighting. In addition, choosing good insulation equipment and materials helps stabilize the factory temperature, saving on air conditioning costs. Furthermore, a project designed in compliance with technical standards will have high durability and a long lifespan, minimizing repair and maintenance costs during operation.
Conversely, if the design is superficial and pursues short-term cheap options, businesses may pay a high price due to later repairs and renovations. Investing properly in design from the beginning is the way to optimize the overall cost equation for factory projects, ensuring that businesses use their capital and assets effectively.
A scientifically designed factory will facilitate continuous, smooth, and efficient production operations. The factory layout needs to be arranged according to the requirements of the technological process, meaning that production areas are organized in a logical sequence of operations. This logical arrangement allows the flow of raw materials and products to proceed seamlessly from input to output without interruption.
When all workshops, machinery, and functional areas are located in appropriate positions, coordination between departments occurs smoothly, minimizing bottlenecks or overlaps in the production process. Simultaneously, a design that focuses on the movement and operations of workers will create favorable working conditions, enabling employees to work productively without wasting time on unnecessary travel.
A well-designed factory also considers the stability and sustainability of the operating process. Technical elements in the design (such as electrical systems, machinery, automation lines, and auxiliary systems) are scientifically arranged and installed for safe operation, minimizing the risk of incidents. As a result, the factory can operate continuously with fewer interruptions due to technical issues. The working environment for workers is also improved through spacious, comfortable spaces and safety measures integrated into the design (e.g., good ventilation, noise and dust control, and appropriately located emergency exits). All of this contributes to significantly improving production efficiency and output quality. Actual results show that applying lean design principles has helped increase labor productivity by up to 52% at a large factory in Vietnam.
This demonstrates that a standard factory design will be a prerequisite for businesses to achieve maximum production capacity, fulfilling orders promptly without having to "firefight" by rearranging the factory when everything is already in operation.
Ultimately, a well-designed factory that meets standards helps businesses fully comply with current legal regulations and construction standards – a crucial factor for project approval and lawful operation. In Vietnam, factory construction requires adherence to many stringent regulations. Businesses need to use land for its intended purpose, comply with permitted construction density, obtain construction permits, undergo fire safety appraisal, conduct environmental impact assessments, and so on. All these requirements must be calculated and integrated right from the design phase. For instance, design drawings must adhere to technical specifications, dimensions, and structural specifications according to national standards (TCVN) and construction regulations for industrial projects. When a factory is designed correctly from the outset, the appraisal and licensing process will be smoother, reducing the risk of being required to modify the design or suspend construction due to violations.
Compliance with legal and technical standards in design also ensures the quality and safety of the project when it is put into operation. Factories designed according to standards often have a smooth and on-schedule construction process because all details have been validly calculated on paper. At the same time, after completion, the factory operates stably, safely for workers, and meets the inspection criteria of regulatory authorities.
Conversely, if the design phase is skipped or the design does not comply with standards, businesses may face serious legal troubles (such as fines, the project not being accepted for operation) and potential safety hazards in production. Therefore, investing in a quality design is also an investment in the legality and sustainability of the project.
It's evident that factory design is a foundational step that determines the success or failure of a factory construction project. Investing adequately in design yields a range of practical benefits: more efficient land use, cost savings, smoother production operations, and ensured legal compliance. This is an indispensable preparatory step if a business wants an efficient and sustainable factory. Therefore, choosing a reputable and experienced factory design firm like Bicons to partner with from the design phase is a wise decision. A professional design partner will help the business realize its factory ideas optimally, ensure all necessary technical standards are met, and maximize long-term benefits for the investor.
The cost of factory design in 2025 is subject to more fluctuations compared to previous years, due to increases in construction materials, skilled labor, and higher requirements for design standards and technology – especially in large-scale manufacturing industries. However, for businesses, what matters is not just the price, but the actual value received from a high-quality design that is synchronized with operational needs.
|
Design type |
Average unit price (VNĐ/m²) |
Notes |
|
Prefabricated steel workshop design |
40.000 – 70.000 |
Popular with small and medium enterprises |
|
Reinforced concrete workshop design |
60.000 – 90.000 |
For large projects, requiring solid structures |
|
Design of workshops combined with offices |
80.000 – 120.000 |
Increasing requirements on aesthetics and functionality |
|
Design of renovation and upgrading of old workshops |
45.000 – 80.000 |
Depending on the actual status |
|
Detailed technical design for construction |
70.000 – 100.000 |
Including structure, M&E, fire protection, foundation treatment... |
Note: The prices above are for reference only. A specific quote will be determined after a site survey, analysis of usage requirements, and the scale of the factory.
Some businesses, when starting out, often want to save on design costs by:
- Drawing their own rough drafts or hiring cheap designers
- Simultaneously constructing and "self-adjusting" the layout during construction
In reality, this leads to more costs later on: having to demolish – rebuild, wasting materials, construction not according to standards, inability to obtain permits, and especially affecting long-term production operations.
Conversely, investing properly in the initial design will help you:
- Have a complete set of drawings: architectural, structural, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection (PCCC)
- Easily estimate the overall construction costs
- Proactively work with construction contractors, avoiding being "price-gouged"
- Construct quickly, on schedule, and save on management costs
Currently, many companies like BIC offer complete design-build services, helping businesses:
- Avoid working with multiple parties
- Optimize costs through the synchronization of design and construction
- Receive advice from the outset on the optimal and suitable solution for actual functionality
Factory design costs are not fixed but are adjusted flexibly based on various technical factors, scale, and specific requirements from the investor. Understanding these influencing factors will help businesses be more proactive in preparing budgets and selecting appropriate design solutions. Here are the main factors affecting design costs:
The larger the factory, the greater the design workload – from surveying and measuring to implementing detailed drawings.
However, for factories with large areas (over 5,000 m²), the design unit price per square meter may decrease due to economies of scale.
Smaller factories, but requiring complex designs (divided into many functional areas, specialized techniques) may still have a higher unit price.
Suggestion: Investors should prepare a preliminary sketch or site plan to receive suitable design advice, avoiding unnecessary costs.
Light manufacturing factories (garment, packaging, electronics...) typically have simpler design requirements than heavy manufacturing factories (steel structures, chemicals, wood, mechanics...).
Factories that combine offices, cleanrooms, or need to achieve international certifications (GMP, ISO, HACCP...) will require higher design standards → increasing costs.
If the business requires the design to meet fire safety standards (PCCC), industry technical standards, environmental standards, or requires licensing application documents, the design cost will need to include these aspects. Specific industries (such as food, healthcare, and cosmetics) require designs to adhere to very strict standards → technical documentation requires in-depth consultation. At BIC, our team of engineers and architects always accompanies investors to ensure that the design documents meet legal requirements and facilitate easy construction permitting.
Projects in areas with weak geology, low-lying land, near rivers, or in mountainous areas will require more detailed geological surveys, affecting the foundation plan → increasing design time and costs. Sites with existing old buildings, or those requiring renovation/expansion of factories, also often incur survey costs and redevelopment of structural drawings.
Professional design units with experience in the field of industrial factories will have higher prices – but in return, you get quality documentation, consistency, accuracy, and support throughout the permitting and construction process.
In addition, design costs also depend on factors such as:
- What does the drawing file include?
- Is a site survey performed?
- Is 3D rendering included?
- Is there copyright supervision during construction?
In summary: To get a reasonable design price that aligns with your actual needs, you should clearly discuss the following with the design unit from the outset:
- Factory area – location – function
- Level of technical standards
- Desired construction time and total budget
At BIC, we provide complete industrial factory design construction services, suitable for each business scale, each type of production and each budget level.
- Free consultation from idea to site
- Full design documents: Architecture - Structure - Electricity and water - Fire protection
- Legal support: Construction permit, approval
- Construction according to drawings, on schedule, clear warranty
Investing in factory design is not just a "preparation" step, but a strategic decision that directly impacts operational efficiency, investment costs, and the long-term development of your business. In the context of 2025, with rising construction costs and increasingly stringent technical requirements, a synchronized, optimized, and standardized design is the solid foundation for any successful factory project.
With experience in implementing hundreds of factory projects nationwide, Bicons is proud to be a provider of:
- In-depth design consultation tailored to each manufacturing industry
- Complete and legally compliant design documentation, facilitating easy construction permitting
- Cost optimization from blueprints to actual construction
- Partnership with investors from initial concept to factory operation
Do you need factory design services? Contact BIC for a consultation and find the design solution that best suits your needs!
