01 Oct How Much Does a Cleanroom Cost? A Simple Guide

For some, the most difficult part of setting up a cleanroom is determining what the cost should be. Without clear information, it’s easy to underestimate or overestimate the price significantly, which could drastically alter your decision-making. Some companies estimate that most cleanrooms fall within the range of $100 per square foot to $1,000 per square foot, and while this is more or less a good rule of thumb, it is by no means perfect.

In this article, we’ll cover some of the most important factors that affect cleanroom costs. Each will be given without direct numbers, but by considering how strict your requirements are and how many features you need, you can determine whether your cleanroom will be closer to $100 per square foot or $1,000.

(Also, if you’re getting ready to set up your space, check out our cleanroom design checklist here!)

Factors That Affect Cleanroom Costs

In any cleanroom, there are many different factors that determine the overall price. Though we recommend getting a quote directly from a manufacturer (as they can give you an exact number), there are some ways to determine relative costs. So, in this section, we’ll help you identify some of the main drivers of cleanroom prices.

1. Cleanroom Classification

The cleanliness level of your cleanroom (typically defined by ISO standards), classified from ISO Class 1 to ISO Class 9, plays perhaps the biggest role in cost. The lower the ISO classification, the stricter the controls it requires. And the stricter the controls, the higher the cost of the cleanroom.

2. Size of the Cleanroom

Size also impacts the price of cleanrooms. In general, we could say that the larger the cleanroom, the more materials and labor required to build it, and therefore the more it will cost.

Also, the larger the space is, the harder it is to maintain the same levels of cleanliness throughout. Consider an ISO 5 environment, for example.

If our cleanroom is small, it will be much easier to keep the proper particle limits, but as it grows larger, we will need more HEPA/ULPA filters, more areas with unidirectional/laminar airflow, more return grilles, etc.

So, even after you include the costs for labor and materials, there are the additional costs for the technology to keep the space clean, and then even more to operate it long term!

3. Materials Used

As you might expect, the materials used in cleanrooms also influence the cost. Modular cleanrooms are typically much more affordable than traditional buildings, though.

Usually, metals like steel or aluminum are going to be much more costly than materials like fiberglass-reinforced plastic or vinyl-coated gypsum.

In some cleanrooms, you may need to protect against electrostatic discharge (ESD), which can often require special flooring, such as rubber flooring, epoxy flooring, and others.

4. HVAC and Air Filtration

Furthermore, the most essential part of any cleanroom is the HVAC system. The costs for this will vary widely based on what kind of climate control the space needs. While cleanrooms are mostly about keeping airborne particles low, many environments still need to control temperature, humidity, air pressure (whether positive or negative), and more. The stricter the cleanroom classification and the more controls that are required, the more the HVAC costs will be.

5. Custom Features

There are also many customizations that cleanrooms have, such as air showers, pass-through chambers, and specific lighting, that will increase the price. These features are not always necessary, but in some industries they definitely are, so it’s important to include these as part of the costs of the whole cleanroom.

6. Location

The location of your project/cleanroom will also affect the cost. As you may well imagine, the more remote your area (typically), the higher your labor and transportation costs. Prices may also depend on where the manufacturer is based.

7. Maintenance and Long-Term Costs

Finally, one generally unforeseen cost at the outset is maintenance. Cleanrooms have their own operational costs, and the stricter and more advanced the environment, the higher the maintenance costs are going to be. This can include everything from energy, staffing, cleaning, and more. At any rate, it’s helpful to consider this when trying to determine the overall costs of a cleanroom, both now and into the future.

Cleanroom Costs: The Bottom Line

In short, cleanroom costs depend on many factors, including classification, size, materials, HVAC needs, and more. Generally speaking, though, the stricter your requirements and the more custom features you add, the higher the cost will be. For a more accurate estimate tailored to your project, reach out to us at Allied Cleanrooms today!