How can you avoid having change orders in your next Data Infrastructure project?  Here are a few tips to help keep you on budget. 

First, meet with the contractor in person and talk about all the cabling needs you foresee your growing business may have.  There is usually more to the project than just what’s shown in the plans and scope documents.  Planning for future growth at the early stages can actually save you money in the future. 

If you’re moving to a new site, invite your contractor for a walk-through of your current location.  Share what works well and what doesn’t.  Involve Facilities and IT personnel … having them involved in the conversation will highlight important issues.  Your contractor will then find solutions for your team in the next buildout that will bring efficiencies throughout. 

Create a checklist that includes AV, security camera, door keypads, printer locations, and Wireless Access Points to ensure these areas are addressed in the floor plan design.  Many times, these areas are overlooked causing the additional cable installs late in the game. 

Don’t forget that there’s more to connect than just the desktops.  Does your budget include patching, feeder cables to the MPOE (Main Point of Entry), and equipment installation?  These are often omitted from the Data Install Scope … and these items can add up fast. 

Finally, make sure to take a moment during construction to walk the site with your contractor before the ceiling closes.  Make sure nothing has been added from other departments that require a change in data cable installation.  Catching these changes will save you time and money and make the contractor’s additional cable pull easier and less expensive. 

Visit us at Isetta Data for more information on taking the pain out of your next IT installation.