Factory design is the first and most crucial step in building an efficient, sustainable, and cost-optimized production system. A design is not just technical lines on paper – it's the operational blueprint for the entire enterprise for years to come.
In reality, many businesses have had to demolish and rebuild or spend billions of dollars to adjust their projects simply because they were negligent in choosing a design firm. Choosing the wrong company means facing a series of risks: incurred costs, delays, violations of technical and legal standards, and wasted resources.
Conversely, a reputable factory design company will help you realize your production vision, save budget, ensure efficient operation, and create a professional corporate image in the eyes of partners and customers.
So how do you choose the right design firm? In this article, BIC will provide you with the criteria for choosing a reputable factory design company, along with the process and important considerations to make the most appropriate decision.
In the field of industrial construction, factory design is more than just floor plan layout or steel structure erection. It’s a phase that shapes the entire production philosophy, operation, and long-term development of a business. A professional design firm doesn't just deliver blueprints – they provide a comprehensive solution for investment effectiveness.
Poor design is a leading cause of construction and operating costs exceeding initial budget estimates. A professional design company will:
- Accurately calculate the quantity of materials and the structure of foundations, columns, and trusses to avoid material waste.
- Propose materials and technical solutions that are suitable for the budget, while still ensuring quality, durability, and safety.
- Help investors proactively manage their budget, avoiding unexpected costs during construction due to impractical blueprints.
A modern factory needs to ensure smooth operation and high efficiency. A professional design will:
- Create a scientific flow of movement between raw materials, semi-finished products, and finished products.
- Arrange production spaces, warehousing, administration, and technical areas logically according to the production process.
- Optimize building height, ventilation, and lighting, helping to save energy and improve the employee work experience.
- Allow for easy upgrades and expansion in the future if the business grows.
Industrial factories are required to comply with strict construction and legal regulations. A reputable design company will:
- Design according to Vietnamese and international standards (TCVN, ISO, HACCP, GMP, etc., if the industry requires it).
- Integrate fire protection, escape routes, and wastewater treatment systems into the blueprints, avoiding the need to “redesign” when applying for permits.
- Support the completion of legal documents such as construction permits, environmental permits, and drawings for fire protection approval.
A well-designed factory is not just a production facility – it's also the "face of the brand" for the business. This is especially true for businesses that:
- Need to achieve factory certifications for export (e.g., EU, US, Japan).
- Host partners, investors, and evaluation teams from both domestic and international sources.
- Increase customer trust and satisfaction regarding scale, professionalism, and internal capabilities.
Choosing the right factory design company should not be based solely on "cheap prices" or "familiar connections." A truly reputable company must possess sufficient professional expertise, practical experience, and the ability to provide comprehensive solutions tailored to the needs of each business. Below are 6 core criteria to help you make an objective assessment before making a decision:
A reputable factory design company must have a long-standing track record of practical experience, demonstrated by:
- A list of completed projects, including sectors such as food, mechanical engineering, textiles, cold storage, logistics, etc.
- A credentials portfolio presenting details about project scale, roles involved, and customer feedback.
- The ability to handle projects with complex technical requirements and multiple standards (Fire Prevention and Fighting (FP&F), GMP, HACCP...).
Note: Prioritize units with projects similar to your industry, as they understand specific technological processes.
Human resources are the deciding factor in the quality of design drawings. You need to assess:
- The team of structural, electrical, and mechanical (M&E) engineers has professional certifications and has participated in major industrial projects.
- Architects who understand factory space, functionality, lighting - ventilation - flow of movement.
- The ability to coordinate across multiple disciplines to create a synchronized design between architecture, structure, and technical systems.
A reputable company always has a clear process from consultation to handover:
- Site survey, needs analysis, and preliminary proposal before finalizing the quotation.
- Transparent contract signing, clearly listing the progress, handover items, and responsibilities of each party.
- Clear communication with a designated point of contact responsible throughout the implementation process.
Note: Request a detailed work plan and completion timeline for each design phase.
A reputable factory design company doesn't just "draw pretty pictures" but must also solve the business's real-world problems, including:
- Consulting on layout models based on the production chain, efficiently handling input and output materials.
- Providing solutions to minimize materials and simplify the structure while ensuring safety.
- Supporting the design of factories integrating technical systems, fire protection, wastewater treatment, solar energy, etc.
Design is the first step – but what happens after the drawings is what matters. A reputable unit will:
- Assist with construction permits, provide legal advice, and evaluate technical drawings.
- Offer copyright supervision services during construction, ensuring the project adheres to the design.
- Commit to partnering when customers expand, renovate, or upgrade their factories in the future.
Once you've determined the evaluation criteria, the next important step is to have a clear and systematic selection process to minimize risks and ensure investment efficiency. Below are 5 steps that any business should take when looking for a factory design partner:
Before searching for a design contractor, you need to clarify:
- Production Industry: This impacts technical requirements (food, mechanical, electronics, chemical, etc.).
- Construction Area & Usage Density: What percentage of the area is for production, warehousing, offices, and supporting infrastructure?
- Investment Goals: Is the project short-term or long-term? Are there any plans for future expansion?
- Design & Construction Investment Budget: To choose a unit that suits your financial capabilities.
Tip: Write down the requirements in writing for easy discussion and comparison later.
After determining your needs, proceed as follows:
- Search on Google, construction service platforms, industry forums (e.g., Facebook Groups, Real Estate Forums, etc.).
- Ask for opinions from partners, friends in the industry, and people who have actually built factories.
- Prioritize units with professional websites, clear portfolios, and frequent updates.
Result: Create a list of 3–5 factory design companies to move on to the next stage.
This is a very important step, requiring consideration of the following aspects:
- Detailed Capability Profile: Number of projects, industries previously designed for.
- Detailed Design Quote: Unit price, included items, potential additional costs.
- Implementation Schedule: Time for surveying – preliminary plan – technical document handover.
- Added Value Included: Legal advice, construction permits, copyright monitoring support.
Note: Do not choose the cheapest company – choose the company with the highest value/execution ratio.
This is a crucial step, requiring consideration of the following aspects:
- Detailed Capability Profile: number of projects, industries previously designed for.
- Detailed Design Quotation: unit prices, included items, potential additional costs.
- Implementation Schedule: survey duration – preliminary design proposal – technical document handover.
- Added Value: legal consultation, construction permits, copyright supervision support.
Note: Do not choose the cheapest company – choose the company with the highest value/execution ratio.
Avoid signing a contract without meeting the technical representative or the main person in charge. During the meeting, you should:
- Ask questions about professional issues you are concerned about, for example: production line layout, weak soil treatment, factory ventilation, etc.
- Request them to present a preliminary solution suitable for your production model.
- Observe their working style: are they quick to respond? Do they explain clearly?
Tip: You should meet with at least two units to have a comparative perspective.
Once you have chosen a suitable unit, proceed to sign a contract with clear content:
- Details of the workload, number of drawings, completion time for each stage.
- Commitments regarding copyright, drawing quality, construction support.
- Payment terms in installments, avoiding the risk of full payment before completion.
- Contract appendix clearly stating arising circumstances, additional costs, and information confidentiality commitments.
By following these 5 steps correctly, you will minimize the risk of choosing the wrong factory design company, while ensuring comprehensive efficiency for the project – from the drawings to the completion and operation of the project.
Despite numerous warnings, many businesses still make familiar mistakes when choosing a factory design unit, leading to serious consequences such as cost overruns, inefficient operations, or even failure to obtain construction permits. Below are 5 common mistakes you should pay particular attention to:
A low price does not equal savings. Many units offer low quotes to compete, but then:
- The design is superficial and lacks technical calculations.
- Many additional items arise that were not in the original contract.
- The investor has to incur additional costs to hire another unit to correct the drawings. Advice:
Focus on the actual value you receive – not just the number on the quote.
Some businesses rush to sign contracts without a site survey, leading to:
- Designs that are not suitable for the terrain and geology.
- Suboptimal functional layout in relation to roads, sunlight, and wind direction.
- Difficult construction or arising issues with foundation treatment, drainage, etc.
Advice: Ensure a site survey, geological map, and site photos are available before starting the design.
Some small units that do not have sufficient legal status still accept design projects – the consequences are:
- The drawings cannot be used to apply for a construction permit because they lack the legal status to design industrial projects.
- Due to lack of experience, they provide impractical solutions. Advice: Request a practicing license, a portfolio of completed projects, and engineer/architect certifications.
Each industry has its own unique requirements for factory layout. For example:
- Food industry: requires separation of clean and dirty areas, prevention of cross-contamination, and HACCP compliance.
- Mechanical engineering – metallurgy: requires design for heavy load-bearing foundations, installation of overhead cranes, and safe placement of heating areas.
- Cold storage – logistics: requires insulation, refrigeration systems, and container truck access/egress...
Advice: Only choose a company that has previously designed factories in your specific field of manufacturing.
Lack of a specific contract leads to:
- No binding agreement on timelines, quality, or design warranty terms.
- Difficulty in addressing situations where the design company doesn't support construction or infringes on copyright.
- Increased risk of disputes regarding responsibility in case of errors.
Advice: Always sign a detailed contract with clauses covering design copyright, technical support, and potential cost overruns.
Avoiding these mistakes means you are on the right track to having a high-quality, optimized, and sustainable factory. Don't let initial carelessness create consequences that last for decades.
Factory design is a strategic step that determines not only the quality of the construction but also directly impacts productivity, operating costs, and the long-term growth potential of the business. In the increasingly competitive design construction market, choosing the right reputable factory design company not only helps you avoid risks but also acts as a "lever" to elevate your production model to new heights.
Don't rush to choose a design company just because of low costs. Take the time to assess capabilities, investigate real-world projects, engage in direct discussions, and sign a transparent contract. A company with hands-on experience, understanding of your industry, and commitment to long-term partnership is the worthy partner to place your trust in. Contact BIC to receive expert advice in the field of industrial factories.
