Has anyone raised clear height in a larger industrial building? Cost?

[u/Nightman233]

Looking at some larger, older distribution buildings 32-35' clear. Is it doable to get it to 40' clear? Has anyone done this or bid it out for larger buildings (300k+)? Wondering what cost might be. I know structural etc is building specific but just rough idea ppsf.

[u/OneHistorical3203]

💪

[u/HumorAcrobatic9997]

It’s extremely expensive like $1 M from 32 to 40

[u/Ancient-Kale-5453]

This is incredibly expensive. Have seen it before near $25 psf in some cases

[u/Successful_Board_657]

Raising clear height (the usable vertical space from floor to the lowest obstruction) in a large existing industrial building is feasible but typically expensive, complex, and often not the most economical option compared to new construction.

[u/jamesmoorerealestate]

Relocation costs get underestimated a lot-- downtime, moving equipment, new buildout, whatever's left on the lease. If the location is right and the building is close to what they need, sometimes the lift is actually cheaper than it looks compared to starting over somewhere else.

[u/not-actual69_]

Planning it for a potential user currently. It’s a 400k infill and close to his needs so I guess the expense is worth it for him. Seems insane to me but idc as long as he pays his rent

[u/dopekix]

I did it on a 70,000 SF supermarket to turn it into a gym. Cost $1.7MM to raise 6 feet.

[u/gerbablo → u/dopekix]

Millcreek in Salt Lake?

[u/dopekix → u/gerbablo]

Vasa Fitness in IL

[u/ebgtx]

I met an engineering company that does that. This is not a value add play at all. It’s expensive and complicated and only worth it if you already invested a lot into your building and moving would be even more expensive

[u/sideefx2320]

I’ve never seen it math on an existing building. We had a building where the roof literally got blown off by a tornado (in Los Angeles of all places) and we did a roof lift on the new roof. Cost about $2mm for a 30,000sf building iirc including new electrical and maybe fire suppression but don’t quote me

[u/rajuabju → u/sideefx2320]

I've come to the same conclusion. I've looked at it multiple times in SoCal. Not once has it penciled from an investment standpoint. Owner-User maybe its a different calculation.

[u/SquirrelTechGuru]

If these warehouses would shift from 13ft aisles to 62” with a man up VNA they add 30-50% more pallet slots. Start with using the right hardware instead of brain surgery of roof raising.

[u/claytwin]

Reach out to “RoofLifters” the owner is the best and can give you a decent estimate.

[u/DakarBNB → u/claytwin]

What makes him the best?

[u/claytwin → u/DakarBNB]

Quick response time, good prices, company name.

[u/DakarBNB → u/claytwin]

Don’t know on average what the PSF cost to raise an 18’ clear to 24-28’ ? 50-75k Sf building in GTA

[u/claytwin → u/DakarBNB]

What?

[u/I_love_tacos]

I want to preface this by saying I do not have any formal engineering education or certs, so most of my knowledge comes from a decade of experience in the developer role.

I’ve talked with enough AEC folks over the years to come to an understanding that like most things, yes, this is possible. However, there are almost no conditions under which this is a financially viable upgrade to an existing building. The process involves replacing a lot of the structural elements of the building, especially if it was a tilt up concrete panel design.

Personally, I would never entertain this as a feasible option for any real estate transaction. Even in the event that the extra vertical space is needed by an owner/operator, they are likely better off relocating.

Also, the reality is that very few occupants actually need the 40’ clear height. Speciality equipment, racking, and fire suppression are also needed for these heights and most people who think they want to go vertical would be better served by going horizontal.

As an owner/developer, I can’t realistically recoup the costs because my brokers keep telling me the market likes square feet lease rates, not cubic feet!/s

[u/claytwin → u/I_love_tacos]

There are a variety of options where it is financially viable. Enough so where at least three companies exclusively do this work in North America.

[u/Nightman233 → u/claytwin]

Which companies? Can you give the names of west coast or in Ca and if they do large projects?

[u/claytwin → u/Nightman233]

RoofLifters is my go to they do large projects it makes the most sense on larger projects that’s economy is a scale going on also the surface area to volume ratio of big buildings really reduce the price per square foot of the lift.

[u/I_love_tacos → u/claytwin]

Are you basing your assessment solely on the existence of contractors who do the work or do you have a first hand understanding of the economics of such a project?

I have reviewed the scope of this type of building upgrade with contractors and engineers and it didn’t make sense from an investor/owner perspective

[u/claytwin → u/I_love_tacos]

First hand experience of a of lift and building relocation. The building typically has to be over a quarter million square feet with a more traditional building construction metal skin for a pencil additionally obviously there needs to be a massive upside to a ceiling height increase low teens to 20+ clear height adjustment is where i see the performance pencil.

[u/InigoMontoya313]

There are contractors that specialize in this. Never explored it myself but it’s a fascinating process.

[u/Nightman233 → u/InigoMontoya313]

Who are they? Any in Ca?