How Long Does It Take to Build a Mezzanine Floor?

Reviewed by David Newall

If you're looking to maximise your warehouse's vertical space, a mezzanine floor is one of the most efficient solutions.

Installing a mezzanine can sometimes disrupt daily operations, making it essential to plan ahead.

Understanding the construction timeline helps you minimise downtime and keep your business running smoothly.

Let's look at how long it takes to build a mezzanine floor and how Advanced Warehouse Structures installs mezzanine floors with minimal disruption.

Factors That Affect Mezzanine Floor Build Time

Most mezzanine floors take just a few weeks to fabricate. On average, installation takes about 1 day per 30m2 of floor for a single-storey mezzanine or 1 day per 25m2 for multi-storey builds.

However, some factors can influence that standard timeline.

Size & Complexity of the Structure

Perhaps the most important factor in how long it takes to build a mezzanine structure is the mezzanine floor design and size. Mezzanine floors can range from single-level to multi-tier structures, from simple additional storage space designs to full office space fit-outs. The more complex, the longer it will take to build and construct your existing building.

Materials Used

The materials you use in your mezzanine project will depend on your storage capacity requirements, how much weight your mezzanine floor needs to support and how it will be used. While a timber floor is fast to install, it is not as durable as steel. You'll need to carefully balance your weight requirements against time considerations when choosing the best flooring material for your mezzanine floor project.

Building Permits & Approvals

All mezzanine floor structures are required to meet stringent building regulations, including having the necessary fire protection measures and other safety measures like minimum handrail heights. Obtaining necessary permits and approvals should be part of the initial planning and factored into the timeline. Complex projects may require longer for approval than more simple mezzanine floors.

Site Preparation & Accessibility

When it comes to mezzanine floor installation, preparing the existing premises adequately is key to minimising the time this takes. This may involve moving specialised equipment, internal walls etc. This step often involves careful planning, so you will need to work closely with your mezzanine floor installation team to ensure minimal disruption to your business operations.

Custom vs. Prefabricated Solutions

The lead time (the time from when you place your mezzanine floor order to when it's delivered and ready for installation) for a mezzanine floor can be reduced by choosing a prefabricated solution. However, you'll need to ensure that a non-custom mezzanine floor suits your requirements and load capacity needs. Sometimes a custom-designed mezzanine floor is a more cost-effective solution in the long run.

The Timeline: How Long Does It Take to Build a Mezzanine Floor?

No one understands more than Advanced Warehouse Structures that, to a business, time is money. We know that having a lack of available space for production, storage or otherwise costs you valuable profits every day you're without it. That's why we work hard to minimise lead times to get our products to you as quickly as possible.

As soon as your mezzanine floor drawings and engineering are signed off, we aim to complete the fabrication of your structure within 6-8 weeks, depending on the size of the project.

Here's a rough timeline of how long you can expect it to take to have more usable floor space in your warehouse:

Planning & Design Phase (1-3 weeks)
Permitting & Approvals (2-6 weeks, varies by location)
Manufacturing & Material Sourcing (2-4 weeks for prefabricated; longer for custom)
Installation & Construction (1-3 weeks, depending on scope)
Final Inspections & Handover (1 week)

How to Speed Up the Process of Installing a Mezzanine Floor

There are a few ways to speed up the process of installing a mezzanine floor, including working with a reputable, experienced mezzanine floor manufacturer like Advanced Warehouse Structures. We're a one-stop shop when it comes to mezzanine floors, taking care of everything from the design to the manufacturing and installation. With one company to organise all aspects of your mezzanine floor, it can make for a smoother, faster process.

As mentioned above, using prefabricated mezzanine floor kits can also speed up the process of adding a mezzanine level, as can pre-scheduling site preparation measures where possible.

Common Mezzanine Floor Delays and How to Avoid Them

While mezzanine floors have the advantage of being constructed indoors and avoiding poor weather conditions that often delay construction projects, site access can sometimes be an unforeseen problem.

It's wise to communicate your intentions to neighbouring properties, especially in industrial settings, to avoid any potential delays due to site accessibility.

Easy access isn't the only concern. Permit approvals can also cause delays, so you should always ensure that you work with professionals who are familiar with local building regulations to avoid the extra costs associated with timeline blowouts.

Don't Delay! Get Started on Planning Your Mezzanine with AWS

Mezzanine floors are a great way for businesses to get the extra space they require, and, with a small amount of pre-planning, they can transform how your business operates within just a few weeks.

Visit the Advanced Warehouse Structures website to learn more about the benefits of mezzanine offices and storage spaces or contact us today on 1300 883 136 to organise a free mezzanine floor quote.

FAQs About Mezzanine Floor Construction Timelines