Data Center & Critical Infrastructure Construction — Nationwide
From enterprise server rooms to edge deployments and colocation shells, TCG delivers data center construction across 38 states — including critical power distribution, precision cooling, raised floors, IMP envelopes, clean agent fire suppression, and redundant MEP infrastructure.
Data Center Cost Estimator
Describe your data center project and get a preliminary construction cost estimate powered by TCG.ai — the same engine behind our general construction estimator.
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Include details about facility type, power capacity (MW), redundancy tier, cooling approach, rack count, power density, and security requirements.
Analyzing Your Data Center Project
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Your Construction Cost Estimate
Data Center & Critical Infrastructure Construction
Data center construction is among the most MEP-intensive building types — with electrical and cooling systems typically representing 60%–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.
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. Our equipment procurement capabilities cover UPS systems, generators, CRAC/CRAH units, and raised floor systems.
For projects requiring specialized electrical infrastructure, TCG's experience building industrial and 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.
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.
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 Codes & Industry Standards
Uptime Institute
The Uptime Institute defines the Tier I–IV classification system for data center redundancy — the global standard for design, construction, and operational reliability that directly determines MEP infrastructure scope and cost.
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–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.
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
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.
Edge Data Center — Multiple Markets
Multi-site edge deployment program — 2,000–5,000 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 (1,000–5,000 SF) run $200–$450/SF. Edge data centers (2,000–20,000 SF) run $300–$600/SF. Tier II colocation runs $350–$700/SF. Tier III colocation runs $500–$1,000/SF. Tier IV runs $800–$1,500+/SF. On a per-MW basis: $8M–$15M/MW for Tier II, $12M–$20M/MW for Tier III, and $18M–$30M+/MW for Tier IV.
Critical power and cooling represent 60%–75% of total data center construction cost. The biggest cost variables are redundancy tier (each tier increase adds 25%–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.
Use our AI estimator above, or schedule a meeting with our preconstruction team. Also explore our general estimator.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Browse common questions about data center construction, or contact TCG. Visit our general FAQ.
Server room: $200–$450/SF. Edge: $300–$600/SF. Tier II colo: $350–$700/SF. Tier III: $500–$1,000/SF. Tier IV: $800–$1,500+/SF. Per MW: $8M–$30M+ depending on tier. Use our AI estimator.
Server room: 4–8 months. Edge: 8–14 months. Colocation: 14–24 months. Large-scale: 18–36 months. Modular: 12–20 weeks after manufacturing. Design-build compresses by 15–30%.
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 25–50% MEP cost. Defined by Uptime Institute.
Power Usage Effectiveness — total facility power / IT power. Industry average ~1.57. Target 1.2–1.4 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 15–20 kW/rack, lower build cost. Liquid cooling (direct-to-chip, rear-door, immersion): required for AI/GPU at 30–100+ kW/rack, higher build cost but better PUE and density. TCG's MEP engineering designs both.
IBC, NEC Article 645, NFPA 75/76/110/2001, ASHRAE TC 9.9, Uptime Institute tier standards, TIA-942, and BICSI 002.
Yes — across 38 states with offices in Denver, Houston, Albany, and Sheridan. See our project portfolio.
Let's Build Your Next Data Center
From enterprise server rooms to edge deployments and colocation shells, TCG's integrated construction platform delivers mission-critical infrastructure — on time, on budget, in all 38 states.
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