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5 Challenges for Data Center Construction
In data center construction, every delay has a cost.
When utility strikes, trade conflicts, incomplete documentation, or unforeseen site conditions disrupt a project, schedules slip and budgets suffer.
Here are five common challenges facing data center construction projects and how GPRS helps teams reduce risk, avoid costly delays, and maintain momentum from site development through commissioning.
1. Tight Timelines
Under pressure to keep your project on schedule?
GPRS Services: Utility Locating | Concrete Scanning | Reality Capture | SiteMap®
How We Help:
- Verify utility, structural, and MEP conditions before work begins
- Provide accurate utility maps, CAD drawings, and BIM models
- Prevent utility strikes, rework, and schedule disruptions
Outcome: Faster execution with fewer delays
2. Trade Conflicts
Are trade coordination issues causing rework?
GPRS Services: Utility Locating | Reality Capture | SiteMap®
How We Help:
- Provide a single source of truth with accurate as-builts
- Identify design and trade conflicts before construction begins
- Improve coordination between engineers, contractors, and trades
Outcome: Reduced rework and improved contractor coordination
3. Hidden Hazards in Concrete
Concerned about hitting rebar, conduit, or PT cables?
GPRS Services: Concrete Scanning
How We Help:
- Identify reinforcement before coring new pathways into pre-tensioned walls
- Locate rebar, post tension cables, and electrical conduit in slabs
- Support safe coring, cutting, drilling, and anchoring
Outcome: Reduced risk of structural and MEP damage
4. Incomplete Turnover Documentation
Looking for a reliable digital record?
GPRS Services: Reality Capture | Video Pipe Inspection | Leak Detection | SiteMap®
How We Help:
- Deliver accurate digital as-builts, 3D models, and inspection reports
- Document installed infrastructure and identify leaks or pipe defects
- Centralize project data and deliverables within SiteMap
Outcome: Faster commissioning and closeout
5. Maintaining Uptime During Expansion
Need reliable infrastructure data for future campus growth?
GPRS Services: Utility Locating | Reality Capture | Leak Detection | SiteMap®
How We Help:
- Maintain accurate records of utilities and existing conditions
- Preserve institutional knowledge in a centralized digital platform
- Support future expansions, retrofits, and infrastructure maintenance
Outcome: Faster planning and execution of future projects
Successful data center projects depend on accurate information at every stage of the project lifecycle. From verifying existing conditions and preventing utility strikes to improving trade coordination, supporting safe concrete work, and creating comprehensive digital records, GPRS helps teams reduce risk and maintain momentum. With accurate data delivered through SiteMap®, you can accelerate construction, streamline closeout, and build the foundation for future expansions with confidence.
How GPRS Delivers Existing Conditions Data for Data Center Projects
GPRS provides the full range of existing conditions services that data center owners, contractors, and design teams need to design, build, and operate with confidence.
Utility Locating
GPRS SIM-certified Project Managers use ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic (EM) locating to identify and map the position and depth of all buried utilities on a data center site, including electrical, gas, water, sewer, storm drainage, irrigation, and telecommunication lines. For large greenfield campuses, GPRS deploys high-speed GPR arrays alongside traditional locating methods to cover large acreage efficiently.
3D Laser Scanning
For retrofit and expansion projects, 3D laser scanning captures construction-grade documentation of existing architectural, structural, and MEP systems. The resulting point cloud data is converted into 2D CAD drawings and 3D BIM models that integrate directly into Autodesk Revit and other design platforms. This gives design teams a verified digital baseline for clash detection, prefabrication planning, and construction sequencing.
Concrete Scanning
Data center build-outs frequently require coring, cutting, and drilling through concrete slabs and walls to route power, cooling, and cable infrastructure. GPR concrete scanning identifies the location of rebar, post-tension cables, conduit, and other embedded objects before any cutting begins, preventing accidental strikes that can damage structural elements or disrupt adjacent live operations.
Video Pipe Inspection
Verify sewer infrastructure conditions and reduce the risk of unforeseen underground conflicts during site development and expansion projects with video pipe inspection and NASSCO-certified PACP, LACP, and MACP defect reports.
Leak Detection
Data centers with water-based cooling systems (chilled water loops, cooling towers, or direct liquid cooling) are vulnerable to leaks that can damage equipment and disrupt operations. GPRS acoustic leak detection pinpoints the location of pressurized water line leaks without excavation or demolition, allowing repairs to be targeted precisely.
SiteMap® Platform and App
All field data is delivered via SiteMap® (patent pending), GPRS' cloud-based platform, where project teams can access, view, and share utility maps, point clouds, CAD files, and BIM models 24/7 from any device. GPRS has supported data center projects for leading hyperscale and enterprise data platform providers nationwide.
GPRS can help you visualize your data center site, above and below ground, to keep your project on time, on budget, and safe.
What can we help you visualize?
Contact: Ashley Niskala
Market Segment Leader – Data Centers
