Data Center & Critical Infrastructure Construction, Nationwide
From enterprise server rooms to edge deployments, AI/HPC halls, and colocation shells, TCG delivers data center construction nationwide, licensed in all 50 states with a proven build footprint across 38 states, including critical power distribution, precision cooling, raised floors, IMP envelopes, clean agent fire suppression, and redundant MEP infrastructure.
Terrapin Construction Group is a nationwide design-build general contractor for data centers and critical infrastructure, licensed in all 50 states. TCG delivers enterprise server rooms, edge sites, colocation shells, AI/HPC halls, and data center support buildings, with in-house MEP engineering, IMP envelopes, and equipment procurement. Typical costs run $200 to $450/SF for server rooms, $500 to $1,000/SF for Tier III colocation, and $600 to $1,500+/SF for AI/GPU halls. Recent proof: 300,000 SF of data center support buildings north of Dallas, delivered 30 days early.
Last updated:Data Center Cost Estimator
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Data Center & Critical Infrastructure Construction
Data center construction is among the most MEP-intensive building types, with electrical and cooling systems typically representing 60% to 75% of total construction cost. Purpose-built data centers require utility-scale power distribution (UPS, switchgear, PDUs), precision cooling systems engineered to specific power densities, redundant infrastructure per Uptime Institute tier standards, and physical security systems that protect mission-critical IT equipment 24/7/365. For a full cost breakdown, see our guide to the average cost to build a data center and our Tier III vs. Tier IV comparison.
At Terrapin Construction Group (TCG), data center construction is delivered through our design-build model, integrating architectural design, MEP engineering, preconstruction, and construction management. Our IMP installation expertise delivers the thermally sealed, vapor-tight envelopes critical for data center climate control, as detailed in our guide to IMP installation for data centers. Our equipment procurement capabilities cover UPS systems, generators, CRAC/CRAH units, and raised floor systems, critical given current switchgear, transformer, and generator lead times.
For projects requiring specialized electrical infrastructure, TCG's experience building industrial and advanced manufacturing facilities with high-amperage service and process power translates directly to data center critical power distribution. Our PEMB and conventional steel capabilities serve both purpose-built data centers and shell-and-core delivery for colocation operators. TCG is licensed in all 50 states, with a proven data center and critical infrastructure build footprint across 38 states. Learn why the sector is surging in our overview of the data center boom and what developers need to know for 2026.
300,000 SF of Data Center Support Buildings, Delivered 30 Days Early
TCG erected and insulated three 100,000 SF pre-engineered metal buildings for the staging and storage campus of a new data center north of Dallas, Texas. Building 1 went from start of steel erection to sign-off in 41 days, and the full 300,000 SF finished 30 days ahead of schedule.
Data center work runs on tight schedules. Staging, laydown, and equipment storage have to be ready before the main build can move, so every day saved on support buildings is a day saved on the critical path, especially with long-lead switchgear, transformers, and generators arriving on site. Crews ran early morning and night shifts under light towers to beat the Texas heat, with roof panels, wall cladding, and insulation moving at the same time instead of in sequence.
See how we approach the steel side on our pre-engineered metal buildings page, budget it with the PEMB cost per SF guide, or explore Dallas data center construction.
Watch the Builds
The two newest TCG Shorts, both on large pre-engineered metal building projects. Press play to watch here, or open them on YouTube.
300,000 SF of PEMB in Dallas, Finished 30 Days Early
Three 100,000 SF pre-engineered metal buildings for the staging and storage campus of a new data center north of Dallas. Building 1 went from start of erection to sign-off in 41 days, and the full project came in 30 days ahead of schedule.
100,000 SF of Dirt Before the Steel Goes Up
100,000 SF of excavation before a single steel column goes up on a large PEMB in California. Grades, compaction, and anchor bolts have to match the manufacturer's reaction drawings, because the schedule is won or lost in the dirt before the steel arrives.
Photos: Terrapin Construction Group, August to September 2026. Scope: PEMB erection and insulation. More on the Projects page and in the TCG video library.
How TCG Builds Data Centers
Power & Feasibility
Utility power availability assessment, site selection, fiber connectivity, tier/redundancy requirements, power density planning, and early cost modeling via preconstruction. PUE target setting.
Design & Engineering
Architectural design for white space, support rooms, and security zones. MEP engineering for critical power per NEC Article 645, precision cooling per ASHRAE TC 9.9, and fire suppression per NFPA 75/76.
Structure & Envelope
Structural steel, tilt-up, or PEMB per IBC. IMP panels for thermally sealed, vapor-tight envelope. Reinforced slab for equipment loads. Physical security hardening.
Critical Power
Utility switchgear, automatic transfer switches (ATS), UPS systems (N+1 or 2N), static transfer switches, PDUs, RPPs, busway distribution, diesel generators with day tanks and bulk fuel, and battery systems. Electrical per NEC and NFPA 110. See current equipment lead times.
Precision Cooling & Fire
CRAC/CRAH units, chilled water plants, economizer/free cooling, hot/cold aisle containment, raised floor or overhead cooling. Clean agent fire suppression (FM-200/Novec 1230) per NFPA 2001. VESDA early smoke detection. BMS/DCIM integration.
Commissioning & Turnover
Integrated systems testing (IST), load bank testing, failover testing, cooling validation, UPS runtime verification, security system testing, and Uptime Institute tier certification readiness. TCG's owner's rep coordinates turnover.
Data Center Facilities We Build
Data Center Construction by Market
TCG builds data centers nationwide. Explore local data center general contractor pages for our active markets, or view all data center construction services. Not listed? We are licensed in all 50 states, contact us for your market.
Data Center Codes & Industry Standards
Uptime Institute
The Uptime Institute defines the Tier I to IV classification system for data center redundancy, the global standard for design, construction, and operational reliability that directly determines MEP infrastructure scope and cost. See our Tier III vs. Tier IV guide.
uptimeinstitute.com →TIA-942
The TIA-942 Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard specifies data center infrastructure requirements, cabling, power, cooling, and architectural standards complementary to Uptime Institute tiers.
tiaonline.org →ASHRAE TC 9.9
ASHRAE Technical Committee 9.9 publishes thermal guidelines for data processing environments, defining recommended and allowable temperature/humidity ranges that govern cooling system design (currently A1 to A4 classes).
ashrae.org →NFPA 75
NFPA 75 (Protection of IT Equipment) governs fire protection, electrical, and HVAC requirements specific to rooms housing information technology equipment, including clean agent suppression and disconnect requirements.
nfpa.org →NFPA 2001
NFPA 2001 (Clean Agent Fire Suppression) governs design and installation of FM-200, Novec 1230, and other clean agent systems used in data centers instead of water-based sprinklers to protect IT equipment.
nfpa.org →NEC Article 645
NEC Article 645 provides special electrical requirements for IT equipment rooms, including power disconnects, under-floor wiring, and grounding/bonding that differ from standard commercial electrical. See commercial electrical cost per SF.
nfpa.org →NFPA 110
NFPA 110 (Emergency and Standby Power) governs generator system design, including fuel storage, transfer switch requirements, testing protocols, and runtime standards critical for data center backup power.
nfpa.org →ICC / IBC
The International Building Code governs structural design, fire-resistance ratings, and building classification. Data centers may qualify for special occupancy considerations including reduced occupant load and modified egress requirements.
iccsafe.org →BICSI
BICSI publishes the Data Center Design and Implementation Best Practices guide (BICSI 002), covering structured cabling, pathway design, and telecommunications infrastructure for data center construction.
bicsi.org →LEED / Green Globes
Data centers pursuing LEED or Green Globes certification must balance energy efficiency goals with redundancy and reliability requirements, influencing envelope, cooling, and power distribution design decisions.
usgbc.org →Data Center Case Studies
Data Center Staging & Storage Campus, North of Dallas, TX
Three 100,000 SF pre-engineered metal buildings (300,000 SF) erected and insulated for a new data center campus. Building 1 went from steel to sign-off in 41 days, and the project finished 30 days ahead of schedule. See photos and video.
Enterprise Data Center, Denver Metro
8,000 SF white space, 500 kW critical IT load, N+1 UPS, dual generators, precision CRAH cooling with hot aisle containment, raised floor. Design-build with MEP engineering for all critical systems. See Denver data center construction.
Edge Data Center, Multiple Markets
Multi-site edge deployment program, 2,000 to 5,000 SF per location, standardized power and cooling modules, IMP envelope, clean agent suppression, and remote monitoring. Preconstruction packages per site.
Colocation Shell & Core, Southeast
45,000 SF shell-and-core for a colocation operator, 4 MW utility feed, switchgear, generator yard, chilled water plant pad, raised floor, and security infrastructure. TCG delivered shell; operator self-performed IT fit-out.
Disaster Recovery Site, Midwest
12,000 SF Tier III DR facility with 2N power distribution, 1 MW critical load, 72-hour generator runtime, VESDA, clean agent, and construction management through commissioning.
How Much Does Data Center Construction Cost?
Enterprise server rooms (1,000 to 5,000 SF) run $200 to $450/SF. Edge data centers (2,000 to 20,000 SF) run $300 to $600/SF. Tier II colocation runs $350 to $700/SF. Tier III colocation runs $500 to $1,000/SF. Tier IV runs $800 to $1,500+/SF. On a per-MW basis: $8M to $15M/MW for Tier II, $12M to $20M/MW for Tier III, and $18M to $30M+/MW for Tier IV. For a deeper breakdown, read our average cost to build a data center guide and see cost per SF by building type.
Critical power and cooling represent 60% to 75% of total data center construction cost. The biggest cost variables are redundancy tier (each tier increase adds 25% to 50% to MEP cost), power density (high-density AI/GPU racks require liquid cooling), and UPS topology (N+1 vs. 2N). MEP engineering quality directly determines whether a facility achieves its uptime and PUE targets. Related cost references: electrical, HVAC, and battery energy storage (BESS) costs. See also how long ground-up construction takes.
Use our AI estimator above, or schedule a meeting with our preconstruction team. Also explore our general estimator, commercial construction cost hub, and construction loan qualifier.
Explore TCG's Full Construction Platform
Data Center Construction Insights
Average Cost to Build a Data Center
National cost benchmarks per SF and per MW, by tier and facility type.
Read the cost guide →Tier III vs. Tier IV Data Centers
How redundancy classification drives MEP scope, reliability, and cost.
Compare the tiers →IMP Installation for Data Centers
Why thermally sealed, vapor-tight envelopes matter for climate control.
See the guide →Switchgear, Transformer & Generator Lead Times
Current lead times on the long-lead power equipment that gates schedules.
Check lead times →The Data Center Boom
Why demand is surging and what it means for developers and operators.
Read the outlook →Data Center Construction for Developers (2026)
What developers need to know before breaking ground this year.
Read more →BESS Construction Cost
Battery energy storage facility cost drivers and per-MWh benchmarks.
See BESS costs →Design-Build vs. CM-at-Risk vs. Design-Bid-Build
How delivery method affects schedule, risk, and cost on complex builds.
Compare methods →Frequently Asked Questions
Browse common questions about data center construction, or contact TCG. Visit our general FAQ.
Server room: $200 to $450/SF. Edge: $300 to $600/SF. Tier II colo: $350 to $700/SF. Tier III: $500 to $1,000/SF. Tier IV: $800 to $1,500+/SF. Per MW: $8M to $30M+ depending on tier. Use our AI estimator or read the full cost guide.
Server room: 4 to 8 months. Edge: 8 to 14 months. Colocation: 14 to 24 months. Large-scale: 18 to 36 months. Modular: 12 to 20 weeks after manufacturing. Design-build compresses by 15 to 30%. See ground-up timelines.
Tier II: redundant components. Tier III: concurrently maintainable (N+1, no downtime for maintenance). Tier IV: fault-tolerant (2N, survives any single failure). Each tier adds 25 to 50% MEP cost. Defined by Uptime Institute. See our Tier III vs. IV guide.
Power Usage Effectiveness, total facility power / IT power. Industry average ~1.57. Target 1.2 to 1.4 requires efficient cooling (free cooling, containment, liquid cooling), efficient UPS, and optimized distribution. Lower PUE = higher build cost but dramatically lower operating expense.
Air cooling (CRAC/CRAH): effective up to 15 to 20 kW/rack, lower build cost. Liquid cooling (direct-to-chip, rear-door, immersion): required for AI/GPU at 30 to 100+ kW/rack, higher build cost but better PUE and density. TCG's MEP engineering designs both.
Yes. TCG builds AI/HPC halls supporting 30 to 100+ kW/rack, requiring liquid cooling, denser power distribution, reinforced structural loading, and higher-capacity electrical. AI/GPU builds typically run $600 to $1,500+/SF and $15M to $35M+ per MW. See IMP for data centers.
Colocation leases space, power, and cooling to multiple tenants, typically Tier III at 20,000 to 100,000 SF. Hyperscale is single-operator (often 100,000+ SF and tens of MW) for cloud and AI platforms. TCG delivers colocation shells, hyperscale support infrastructure, and shell-and-core for operators who self-perform IT fit-out.
IBC, NEC Article 645, NFPA 75/76/110/2001, ASHRAE TC 9.9, Uptime Institute tier standards, TIA-942, and BICSI 002.
Yes. Support buildings for staging, laydown, and equipment storage often have to be ready before the main data hall can move. TCG recently erected and insulated three 100,000 SF pre-engineered metal buildings for a data center campus north of Dallas, Texas, finishing 30 days ahead of schedule. See the featured project.
On the North Dallas-area campus, Building 1, a 100,000 SF PEMB, went from start of steel erection to sign-off in 41 days, and all 300,000 SF finished 30 days early. Crews ran early morning and night shifts so roof, wall, and insulation work moved at the same time. Actual speed depends on steel delivery, foundation readiness, and weather. See PEMB costs.
Yes, licensed in all 50 states with a proven build footprint across 38 states, headquartered in Denver, CO. See our project portfolio and data center markets.
Let's Build Your Next Data Center
From enterprise server rooms to edge deployments, AI/HPC halls, and colocation shells, TCG's integrated construction platform delivers mission-critical infrastructure, on time, on budget, licensed in all 50 states.
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